Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-05-31
J|NGO UFTERANCES
DECR|ED by SENATOR
The Atlanta Journal News Bureau,
623 Riggs Building.
BY THEODORE TILLER

WASHINGTON, May 28.-Decry-
ing lingo utterances in both coun-
tries, Senator William J. Harris told
the senate during the debate on the
naval appropriation bill that he saw
no prospect of trouble between the
United States and Japan, and that
a military element" in each country
seemed primarily responsible for
vast appropriations for armament
Senator Harris supported the Bo-
rah resolution asking the president
to call disarmament conference, and
in so doing he directed attention to
statistics showing that out of every
dollar expended by this country to-
day SO cents so for past wars and
plans for future wars. The remain
ing cents per dollar go to such
peaceful things as administration of
the government, public health, public
education and internal improvements
including rivers and harbors and fed
eral buildings.
With taxes what they are today
Senator Harris contended, it was al
most criminal to add $150,0OO, 900 for
naval vessels.
The Georgia senator referred to
his recent visit to Japan and said he
found there agitators who further an
anti-American sentiment, just as in
this country there are found persons
who are always predicting trouble
with Japan and stirring an ant1-Jap-
anese sentiment.
In his speech Senator Harris said
in part:
States His Position
"I have supported the Borah reso-
luton most heartily, and it seems to
me that every senator would gladly
vote to bring about disarmament be-
tween Great Britain, Japan and the
United States. / cannot understand
why there should be any necessity
for the increases in appropriations
provided by the senate naval COM
mittee over the bill as it passed the
house, until we have the opportunity
for the conference between the coun-
tries referred to in the Borah resolu-
ton to meet and see if We can not
get an agreement to disarm, and
save the already burdened taxpayers
of our country more than hundred
and fifty million dollars annually.
II spent several weeks in Japan
last year, and investigated conditions
there as best l could. That country
is going through exactly the same
conditions we have here. The mill
tary party there, through their news
papers and propaganda, are doing ev-
erything they can to brighten the
people about what the United States
expects to do, in matter similar to
that referred to by Senator Lenroot
when he called attention to an article
in a Washington newspaper. Their
only hope to tax the people and bur-
den them as the world has never
known of before in time of peace is
by just such alarming statements to
prejudice their people.
"Those opposed to the military
party in Japan are increasing in
numbers ali the time. just as those
opposed to it in this country. Ninety
per cent of the people of this coun-
try are opposed to such appropria-
tions as are provided for in the bill
reported by the senate committee on
naval affairs, and a like number ia
vor an agreer ent between all coun-
tries to disarm.
Doesn't Fear War.
II do not think we are going to
war with Japan. I believe they want
to be our friends, and I know ma
jority Of the people in this country
want to be friendly with Japan. I
think all the discussion about trou-
DlS D6IW6GI IIilS country ana Japan
in certain sections of this country
are unwise. and I think if there
should be more discussion to the eff
feet that those people are our
friends, and we are their friends.
it would be far better than the de-
nunciation of Japan all the time by
some people.
"Congress will be in session sew
eral months. If we can not get a
disarmament agreement as provided
by the Borah resolution. then it will
be time enough for the senate to
appropriate the money carried in the
naval bill now proposed.
with the people of this country
burdened with taxation as they
are today, l think it almost a crime
to, burden them with $15O,oOO,OOO adj
ditional to be spent on the navy.
I'VE only appropriate about $40,-
600, 900 annually for agricultural pur-
poses for the entire country, and
some senators who oppose those
items for agricultural advancement
vote for four times that amount of
increase In the appropriations of the
"The per capita tax in the United
States has increased from Sc an
nually to $4S. The percentage of
disbursements annually by this coun-
try show 67.81 per cent for past
wars; 25.02 per cent for plans of fu-
ttfe wars; 3.19 per cent for the leg
islative, executive and judicial
branches of the Government; 1.01
per cent for public health and edu-
cation; 2.91 per cent, for public
works, including rivers and harbors,
the Panama canal and public build"
ings.
1T is the duty of congress to
reduce the expenditures of our gov
eminent and save our people the
great burden of taxation now upon
them AS long as 1 am a member
of this body I shall do my best to
bring about this condition"