The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-12-08
Thinks Loosening of Par
ty Ties Will Lead To
Division of People Into
Groups and Factions
Which Will Plumber
Each Other Without
Hope of Relief

New York, Dec. S.-The present
system of 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 its in
I.terests, national or international" ;"
John w. Weeks, secretary Of war,
said today in an address before the
convention of the Association of Life
Insurance presidents.
Contrasting the present situation
with a recent administration pictured
as carrying big stick" Mr.. Weeks
said 1T was not many years ago
that we heard stories about a big
stick that was supposed to be used
in driving congress into state of
tractability and enforce the enact
ment of laws desired by the execu-
tive. The truth. however. is that
while the executive was mastery
man of dominating personality and
characteristics, he was a party man
and those in the executive branch of
the government were equally so. They
believed in government by the party
and that the responsibility under such
government should be observed by
those who might doubt the wisdom
of the plan. 1t was said that the
leaders in the senate and in the
house consulted the executive and to-
gether they formulated the policies to
be followed. Quite frequently, no
doubt the executive, in some in
stances urged. and perhaps imposed,
his views on the congressional lead
ers; but invariably these men re-
.urned to the capitol to carry out the
decision reached at the conference
and the members of that party in the
senate and house, recognizing the me-
cessity of responsible action, support
ed them in their endeavors.
The New Method
Then came a reform, or it was so
heralded, in the conduct of the house
Of representatives. The power of ac-
lion, which had largely rested with
The speaker and through him with the
committee on rules, was taken away
and divided among committees. The
result think it has been clearly
demonstrated-is that it is impossi-
Bile to get the type of legislative ac-
lion which comes from party regular.
, tty and responsibility.
ITO my mind the change has had a
endency to weaken effective govern
aent. has resulted in irresponsible
egislation, prevented both parties
rom carrying out pledges made in
nelr platforms and, in time, will di.
'lde the legislative department of the
government into groups, each group
hampionins special cause and we
III see one group combining with an
'ther TO bring about q control of leg.
slative action in the interest of a
PARTICULAR faction
Foresees Factions
while we may not degenerate 10
| he level of some countries in this re
| pect, carried to its logical conclu
ion we may eventually find ourselves
livided into hostile factions or hos
lie groups. one class plundered b,
mother. and the country powerless tc
efend or maintain its interests, ma
.onal or international. The great
eed for the present emergency II
lear thinking?." Mr.. Weeks said
basing our actions on facts. no
incies; putting our faith In work in
lead of words.
We do not hear of strikes In Ger
lany," the secretary remarked, "bu
aey seem rather popular everywhere
,lse."
Farmer Is "Defiated"
The farmer-the backbone of tn,
ountry-was the first to feel the eff
ects OF post war defation, the secre
airy said, but added that "the farme
4 could not be entirely absolved from
blame" for his present situa Son a,
he should have foreseen the newt
able collapse of values.
! 1T did not please him." siad Mr.
Weeks, to find that combination O
labor or combinations of anythin,
else were able to keep up the price
OF his necessities and he turned I,
legislation to bring about a condition
which would give him chance t.
adjust his situation"
n Il shall not take the time to crit
else the legislation congress has or
4 acted for the benefit of the farmer
: II was brought about by combins
ton OF members of the two great pS
litical parties which had suficien
votes to obtain the result desired
sonslpf this legislation may b9nef
those for whom It was enacted Mlc
pr \ q upsound however. from 1