Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-05-12

rum 08o OAcJ
lying cause of most of the troubles of
the nation.
He demanded that as a measure of
safety the party which believes in pro-
lection should be placed in power.
INTIMATES THIRST FOR
WAR WITH MEXICO.
In discussing Mexico he intimated that
the republican party hopes Immediately
to enter upon a war with that country.
President Wilson, in his first term,
began and in his second term continued,
the spineless, un-American policy Of
'watchful waiting in our relations with
Mexico" he said.
declared that it would protect to the
limit the lives of American people, and
that the administration has failed to
carry out that platform policy.
He criticised the writing of notes By
President Wilson.
"Nor should we overlook the fact that
this policy has been reflected in aA the
succeeding events that have transpired
here and elsewhere around the world.
Because Of this course, Germany was
naturally led TO believe that we would
not fight, no matter what happened to
US
GERMANS THOUGHT
THEY COULD LIMIT.
"They knew of all these wrongs being
perpetrated on American citizens In
Mexico: they knew that our soldiers
on this side Of the zordeT had been shot
down By Mexicans on the other side
and that our troops were not permitted
to fire a single shot to defend our fallen
and dying comrades; they knew that
our president had proclaimed to the
world that we were too proud to fight
and so they felt perfectly free, so far
as we were concerned, to mark out
space in the Atlantic ocean and serve
notice to all nations that any vessel
coming within that area would be ruth
lessly destroyed"
Senator Watson declared that Presi.
dert Wilson should have sent an army
into Mexico Immediately after trouble
started there.
Senator Watson then entered a dis
cussion of war and other governmental
expenses.
"The members of the investigating
committee inform ne that there have
been expended by The war department
alone approximately S1S,OO0Oo0,O0O, and
they say there is ample proof TO show
that well-nigh S9,OO0,O 10000 of this sum
has been wasted, or most foolishly and
extravagantiy expended, and that in large
Fart one-half OF this vast sum was use
/ less and ineffective in the prosecution OF
[ the war" he said.
USELESS PORTS BUILT,
HE SAID.
The war department expended 1p-
proximateIy S150,OO0,o 600 in the construc-
! ton Of port terminals in Norfolk, Charles
ton and Boston, not one dollar Ct which
& u b. Of tho
because not one ship sailed ftOm The
terminals thus constructed.
This department expended sl20 100000
in the construction Of powder plants, and
yet not a pound manufactured at these
plants was used In the war.
I'VE spent approximately s1O0O00,O0O
/ in the manufacture of tanks, and yet the
/ first American tank did not reach France
until nine days after the arinistice was
signed.
Thousands Of tanks and automobiles
/ have been permitted to 80 10 wreck ard
ruin in all parts of the country because
to dispose of them might dtstaurb in-
dustrial conditions
/ We spent approximately s117 100000
in the manufacture Of -;as. ana there
was never = pound Of that gas used in
American shells.
PRAISES RAILROAD
ACTS OF CONGRESS.
The greatest measure Of reconstruc-
ton passed by this or any other con-
/ gTess of recent years is that relating
+ to the railroads OF the country. This
[ legislation affects the welfare OF the
/ entire population OF the nation.
cover 2.OOOOOO men are employed by
I the railroads of the country. with a to-
/ tai payroll of over S2,5OOO01.OOO per
annum. and the aggregate value OF all
/ tie lines is approximately eighteen bill
/ lion dollars.
Wage increases were inaugurated With
/ the appointment Of a railroad wage COM
/ mission on April IS. 1918.
These increas amounted to over ST.
I 10000 900. In order to meet them
I freight rates were advanced % per cent
and passenger rates TO 3 cents a mile
THE aggregate increase on ali lines
operated By the government amounted
10 81 100, 100000 an amount barely suf-
I hcient to meet the raise in wages alone
THE financial results Of twenty-six
months Of government operation was a
dehcite Of S761. O00.O
ITO this must be added the expense
Of the railroad administration, interest,"
/ on new investments, and the amount
estimated as necessary to replace de-
! preciated stocks OF materials and sup