Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-02-10
HOUSE DEMOCRATS
IN CAUCUS SPURN .
WILSON'S COUNSEL
Declare to Oppose Compulsory
Training Despite Presidents
Plea to Wait.
KITCHEN LEADS HOSTILES


Washington, Feb. 10-Reiccting Presi-
dent Wilson'S advice, House Democrats
in caucus last night adopted. by. vote
of LOG To IL. resolutions opposing the
passage at this Congress of legisla-
ton for universal compulsory military
service or training. The PRESIDENT 5
views were presented IN p letter nc
wrote TO Secretary Baker, which was
read TO the caucus by Representative
Charles p. Caldwell of New York, a
member of the Military Committee. In
this letter Mr. Wilson urged that 1t was
inadvisable that any party action be
taken AT this time on universal train
ing, when the national convention was
so near. He spoke in favor of the prln-
ciple of universal training.
Some leading House Democrats led IN
opposing the Presidents advice Claude
Kitchin, former floor leader, who, with
Representative Dent, former Chairman
of the Military Committee, INSPIRED the
caucus. WAS active IN trying to persuade
his colleagues that the country was
against compulsory training and that
the partv position should be expressed
bv Congress which had to pass such
legislatiop.
Representative Frank Dorenus of
Michigan, former Chairman of the Con
gressional Committee, agreed with PrcSi-
dent Wilson and urged delay. Tie m
sisted that it was distinctly an issue TO
be passed upon by the entire party as
represented by the national convention.
When the caucus met the Southern
Democrats and those representing sec
tions Of the country that were pacitc
during the early period of the war were
activc in their efforts to persuade those
willing To be guided by the President
that political advantage could be gained
by the Democratic Party declaring
against compulsory training IN advance
Of declaration by the Republicans.
The caucus was apparently determined
from the outset to have its way despite
the Presidents counsel.
Representative Saunders OF Virginia
presided over the meeting, which became
very lively during lis session OF two
hours. Nearly all of the $50 Democrats
we're in attendance. EX-Spcakcr Clark,
abscnt.in Missouri. informed his follow
rs before his departure that he was
opposed to compulsory training. and
Representative Ferris of Oklahoma, Chsrr-
man of the Congressional Committee
wired to Mr. Kitchin that he stood with
him in opposing legislation TO compel
military training.
Representative Caldwell of New York
carly in the session read President Viii
sons letter to Secretary Baker. CHE
full text OF the letter will be found in an
adjoining column
Immediately following the reading of
the letter Representative Ayers OF Nan
sas offered this resolution:
Resolved. That the Democrats OF this
Congress are opposed To compulsory
military training IN time OF peace.
Representative Gard of Ohio offered
An amendment so that it would read:
Resolved, That the Democrats OF this
Congress are opposed 10 compulsory
military training.
4 further amendment was presented
oy Representative Griffin OF. New York.
which declared his opposition to the
passage of the Wadsworth military bill
.ontaining compulsory training.
Representative Doremus presented a
substitute. which provided that the cau-
cus should not act upon the issue st this
lime.
After two hours Of debate the caucus
rejected the substitute. Sc to 81, and
inally adopted a resolution which, while
not so emphatic as the original pro-
posals, still put the caucus IN opposl-
ion to the Presidents s views, 1t read:
Resolved. That it is the sense OF this
,aucus that no measure should be passed
)y this Congress providing for universal
compulsory military service or training.
Mr. kitchin, who has always opposed
any far-seeing military policy, and {.
group of the Democrats who opposed
:elective draft and other military mea-
sures, urged with vehemence the pOlltl-
cal advantge of acting against COM
ousory training. They asserted that
the people were agsinst further ex
penditures for military purposes and
held that such policy would lead to
Prussianism. Some of the speakers as
serted that organized labor and the
farmers were opposed to the proposed
system end that this was the popular
side.
With Mr. Kitchen stood Representa-
tives Garner of Texas, Field of Ken
lucky. Dent of Alabama, and Flood of
Virginia.
Supporting the President Representa-
tives Doremus of Michigan, Olney of
Massachusetts, Caldwell Of New York,
Small of North Carolina, and Sbatb
1f Illinois, Representatives Fisher. Cald-
we'll, and Olnev of the Military Committee
announced that they intended TO vote
N the committee to report q bill carry
ing compulsory training.
Under a rule Of the party, . caucus
Is not binding upon those attending
unless a resolution is adopted to that
effect Such resolution was not pre-
sented.
After the caucus some of the Demo-
Gratis frankly stated that their action
was an assertion of their independence"
in the belief that they knew the sentiment
Of the country better than either the
President of the party leaders.
You try an Every Evening want adv.