The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-08
Tells N. Y. Audience Q. S. Be-
ing Made Sectional.
Defends "Big Stick'' Methods in
Securing Legislation.
FLAYS THE POLITICAL OUACKS
Declares Farmer Not Without
Blame for Condition.
Warns Against Tax Free Sc
curities for Amy Industry.

New York, Dec. 8.-The present
system C organization in congress,
whereby control is divided between
numerous committees may "if carried
to it's logical conclusion" divide the
United States into hostile factions or
groups and leave the country pow
erless to defend or maintain it's inter-
ests. national or iAternational,'' John
w. Wee-zs secretary of war, said to-
day in I address before the conven-
ton of the Association of Life Insur-
ance Presidents Contrasting the
present situation with a recent admin
i-tration characterized by reference to
a "btg stick" Mr. Weeks said:
1T was not many years ago that we
heard stories about d. big stick which
was s-pposed to be used in driving
congress into a state of tractability
and force the enactment of laws de-
sired by the executive
Defends Big Stick.
1.-The truth, however, is that while
the execU i've was a mastery man of
dominating personality and character
istlcs, he was a party man and those
in the legislative branch of the gov
ernment were equally SO. They be-
that the responsibility under such
government should be observed even
by those who might doubt the wisdom
of the propos-. action
The result was that the leaders in
the senate and house consulted the
executive and together they formu-
lated the policies to be followed. Quite
frequently, no doubt, the executive in
some instances urged, and perhaps i'm
posed, his views on the congressional
leaders; but invariably these men re-
turned to the capitol to carry out the
decision at the conference and the
members of that party in the senate
and house recognizing the necessity of
responsible action assisted them in
their endeavors.
Then came a reform, or It was so
heralded, in the conduct in the house
of representatives. The power of ac-
ton, which had largely rested with the
speaker and thru him with the com
mittee on rules, was taken away and
divided among committees. The re-
sult-and I think it has been clearly
demonstrated-is that it is impossible
to get the type of legislative action
which comes from party regularity
and responsibility"
Defends 'tCannonism.''
"I can recall" said Mr.. Weeks, Gin
the days of so-called Cannonism when
Mr. Cannon was called a car, as
would have been any other man of
strength filling the speakers chair
under those conditions, that the speak
er found ways. perfectly legitimate
under the rules, to prevent the enact
ment of a vast amount of personal
and irresponsible legislation. More
than that he had the power and he
used it to prevent appropriations in
tended for local purposes which were
not needed and which were not for the
general good.
1.-The Slightest examination of the
increase in gOVernme mental expenditures
during the last fifteen years for the
ordinary requirements of the govern
change in the methods of leg1slatlng
has affected the treasury.
Government Weakened.
"To my mind the change has had
a tendency to weaken effective gov
ernment, has resulted in irresponsible
| legislation, prevented both parties
from carrying out pledges made in
their platforms, and in time, will di-
vide the legislativ branch q the gov
ernment into groups, each group
c. npioning a special cause, and we
will see one group combining with an
other to bring abouS control of leg
| islative action in the interest of a par
ticular faction. While we may not
| degenerate to the level of some coun-
: tries in this respect, carried to its logt-
| CC1 cOncluS n we may eventually una
ourselves divided into hostile factions
or groups, one class plundered by an
| 9TH ID the country powerless to
defend or maintain its interests, ma
| tional or International
| Not only the United States, but the
whole world is slowly but surely re-
! turning to normal the secretary OF
war declared. This country he said,
| is emerging from a condition OF
| chaos after. passing thru a period of
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