Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1919-02-06
REPUBLICANS HOLD
A BIG CONFERENCE
THE EASTERN PEOPLE HAVE
SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT
CONGRESSMAN GREEN


CONGRESSMAN GREEN
conference of the Republicans of
the national house was held recently
in which Congressman w. r. Green
formerly of this city took promin-
ent part. The Journal-Courier, of
New Haven, Conn, under date of
January 23rd, has the following item
which will be of interest locally:
The republican house conference
last night was full of significant feat
ures. Although held behind closed
doors the proceedings are pretty well
known to democrats and newspaper
men. Apparently there was no de
bate on future organization of the
house, but the topics covered such
matters of importance as are GER
tain TO come before congress in the
remaining six weeks of the session.
The three principal topics were the
plans for a big navy, in case sea ar
mament is continued by all nations
the next liberty loan. and how it can
best be met, and above all came the
question of bringing back the soldiers
from France and releasing from the
camps in this country such men as
are needed elsewhere. 1t is under
stood that the conference was called
primarily that the soldier question
might be thoroughly discussed. The
speedy return of our troops was the
very evident desire of practically ev-
cry man present. Don't keep our
boys over sea for police duty was the
slogan of the moment and the sys-
tenn, or lack of system, By which sol-i
diers are now demobolized in the
/ home camps was severely criticised
Congressman Green of Iowa has a
bill before congress which provides
for the replacement in Europe of
such of our soldiers who desire to re-
turn home by men who have been
trained in the camps, but who did
not get across the water before the
armistice was signed Judge Green
believes these men should have the
opportunity to volunteer for over
seas service and that the men who
have been long in active duty over
seas should have the opportunity to
come home. At the request of Judge
Green, Congressman Tilson of Con-
necticut was asked to give in detail
his experience in handling cases
| from that state. Col. TilsOn has
given much attention to the question
iOl ueuObOiiZdtiOu dHu TeCcutly uduc
stirring speech on the subject
which attracted nationwide atten-
ton. At that time Col. Tilson made
the assertion that although the army
orders seemed to insure the dis
charge of men who were needed else
where such a system was not being
carried out, and that good faith is
not being exercised. Some army Of
fcers are holding better job than
they ever had in their lives, and they
wish to keep large number of men
in the service to make their jobs
more important and permanent. /
protest against keeping those enlist
ed men there for something or moth
ing instead of permitting them to re-
turn where they are needed" Last
night at the conference Col. Tilson
read extracts from many letters in
which the men stated that he had
''hit the nail right on the head" and
related their personal experience.
Col. Tilson said he had received
more than 800 letters of that sort in
the two days following his speech. all
written by men who were still in the
service although they desire to be re-
leased.
The recent order of the war de-
partment concerning the release or
| furlough of men overseas seems
simple enough till one digs down to
the roots and then it is found that
weasel words such suck out much of
the meat. 1t is the expression where
they can be spared" Couple this
with the admonition of the secretary
of war than men will be released or
given burroughs only in cases where
sickness in the family is so critical
that il admits no delay or where dis
tress cannot be alleviated by allot-
ments." The first part of the order
seems to indicate that men will be
discharged or given furloughs when
ever sickness or distress in the fam
lily warrants and upon the request of
the soldier or his family. But the
secretary later cautions the men that
it will be granted only in rare and
Exceptional cases.
There is tremendous sentiment
in congress against the retention OF
| thu 26th and other divisions in ,
France after fighting ceased. Bring !
the boys home is heard daily and it |
is predicted that the congressional !
agitation will have its effect on the !
war department.
No information is yet obtainable
from the war department regarding /,
the intended movements of the 26th !
seas to friends and families here con- |
tinue to predict the return of that |
division in March.
Congressman Green of Iowa will be /
the CHER speaker at the Lincoln day !
celebration in New Haven by the |
Young Mems Republican club, Feb
ruary 18th Judge Green goes as
the special guest of Col. Tilson, with
whom he is closely associated in
congressional work. Judge Green il |
one of Iowa's distinguished men and |