The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-12-08
FACT|0NAL WORK
NATIONS MENACE
WEEK$DECLARES
Congress Divided Into An
Inharmonious Committee,
War Secretary Tells
Insurance Men.
COORDINATION OF
INTEREST HAMPERED
Country May Become Power
less to Assert Itself in
Positive Way He Fears.

WASHINGTON, ID. G.. Dec. S.
Present system Of organization in con-
gress, whereby control is divided be-
tween numerous committees may, IF
carried to its logical conclusion" di-
vide the United States into hostile
factions or groups" and leave the
country. 'powerless to defend or
maintain its interests. national or in
ternational," John w. Weeks, secree
tory of war said today in am address
before convention of the associa'
tion OF life insurance presidents
Comparing the present adrinistrn-
ton with recent administration
with reference TO a big stick" Mr.
Weeks said:
Reviews Big Stick" Power
1T has not been many years since
we heard of big stick which was
supposed TO be used in driving con
gress into a state OF tractability and
force the enactment of laws desired
by the executive. The truth, however.
is that while the executive was 4
mastery man OF dominating person.
ality and characteristics, he was q
party man and those in the legislative
branch If the government were
equally so. They believed in govern
ment by party and that the responsi-
bilty under such government should
be observed even by those who might
doubt the wisdom OF the proposed ac-
no Ths.
ers in the senate and in the house
consulted the executive and together
they formulated the policies To De
followed. Quite frequently, no doubt
the executive in some instances urg-
ed and perhaps imposed, his views on
the congressional leaders; but invarl'
ably these men returned 10 the capi'
tai to carry out the decision reach-
ed at the conference and the mem
bers OF that party in the senate and
house recognizing the necessity oi
responsible action assisted them in
their ondeavors
Then came a reform. or ii was so
heralded, in the conduct Of the house
of representatives. The power Of ac'
ton which had largely rested with
the speaker and through him with
the committee on rules, was taken
away and divided among committees
The result-and | think il has been
clearly demonstrated--is that IL Is i'm
possible 70 get the type OF legislative
action which comes from party regu'
larity and responsibility.
Recalls Days OF "Cannonism"
II can recall" said Mr.. Weeks, IN
the days of so-called Cannonism
when Mr.. Cannon was called car
us would have been any other mar
uf strength filling the speaker
chair, under those conditions, that the
speaker found ways, perfectly legl
innate. under the rules. to prevent
the enactment Of vast amount o
! personal and irresponsible leshSsi
ton. More than that, h. had th'
power and he used it. To prevent
appropriations intended Tor loc.l
purposes which were not needed aht
which were not for the general good
One of the least excuslbie OF th'
| laws passed. It seems to me. wa
! that increasing the interest rate OF
farm loan bank bonds to 5,s petcen
and leaving the rate TO the farm
! borrower the same as II had been
| Under the present law as ! see II, IN
government Is financing the farm
er and is producing vast Noluin'
.Coniinued on mage ~