The Missouri herald., 1922-05-12
CAMPAIGN OF 1915.

OF 1915 / made a speech In the Senate
reviewing the achievements Of the
Democratic Administration which was
largely employed as a campaign d0cu-
ment, many thousands Of copies be-
ing printed and distributed. The SUBJ
stance, II indeed not the exact matter,
Of that speech, was used In the Demo-
cratic Campaign Book.
During all this time. constantly
supported the policy Of the President
to keep out of the European war. I
defended that policy upon the floor Of
the Senate and upon the platforms Of
the country.
In the election Of 1915 I not only
campaigned my State, carrying Presi-
dent Wilson's banner. but, although
myself candidate, went into other
states and made speeches for the
Democratic ticket.
This review brings us to time sub
sequent to the election Of 1916
Events were now rapidly shaping
themselves SO that war appeared to be
inevitable.
ARMiNG MERCHANT SHIPS.
Congress was dissolved by law on
March 4, 1917. A few days prior to
that date the President came before
Congress and asked authority to arm
merchant ships. There was bitter op-
position led by my distinguished
friend and colleague, the lamented Sen
ator Stone.
I, upon that question, separated
from my old friend. When, because
Of the limitation of the time and the
vehemence of opposition, the bill could
not be passed, Joined with Is other
Senators in signing the "roundrobin,"
which assured the President and the
world that II a vote could have been
taken we would have supported the
President in his demand.
Those who refused to sign were at
once characterized by the President
as the "wilful twelve" At least,
escaped that denunciation.
THE WAR.
I voted and spoke for the declara-
tion Of war.
voted for conscription, although I
did endeavor to have q period Of 90
days allowed for volunteering. This
could have been done without delaying
the draft single day, because it re-
quired that period Of time to organize
and place in operation the machinery
Of the draft.
voted for every strictly war meas
| ure, among other things:
All Of the Liberty Loan Acts.
For every dollar, every man, every
ship, every gun, the President ever
asked to carry on the war.
Some of the principal acts which I
assisted in passing are as follows:
April 6, 1917.-Declaration of State
Of War.
April 20, 1917.-Act increasing the
size of the Naval Academy.
| April 20, 1917.-Act increasing the
age limit Of naval officers from 35 to
so years.
April 20, 1917.-Act authorizing
rifles and equipment for home guards
April 30, 1917.-Act authorizing the
President to seize German and Aus.
trian ships.
May 8, 1917.-The Administration
amendment to the Federal Reserve
Act.
May IA, 1917.-The Espionage Act.
May IS, 1917.-Act to increase the
strength Of the navy and marine
corps.
May 10, 1917.-Act known as the
Urgent Deficiency Bill, appropriatine
over $3,000,000,000 for war expenses.
June 2. 1917.-The Food Survey Bill
June Is. 1917.-Act condemning land
for military purposes.
June 16. 1917.-War Priority Ship
ment Bill.
June 21, 1917.-Act for National Sc
curity and Defense by stimulating
agriculture and making an appropria
tion therefore Of $11, 1,S48,000.00.
July 21, 1917.-Aviation Appropria
tion Act Of $841, 1000, 100000.
September II, 1917.-Act to secure
secrecy Of patents on war inventions
during war.
September II, 1917.-Administrati
bill regulating manufacture Of explos
ives.
September 12, 1917.-Act creating
the Aircraft Board.
September 12, 1917.-Trading witt
the Enemy Act.
September 25, 1917.-Second Wal
Appropriation Bill, carrying over S.,
00O, 100000.
September 25, 1917.-Act providing
for soldiers in foreign service making
allotment Of pay for support Of de
pendents.
October A, 1917.-war Risk Insur
ance Act.
January 1s, 191S.--Act authorizing
U. s. Shipping Board to acquire lands
buildings, etc.
February 20, 191s.-Federal Contro
Of Railroads Act.
March 7, 1918.-War Finance Cor
poration Act.
May 1, 191s.-Housing Corporation
Act.
June "A, 191S.-Act appropriatinl
$50,000000 for President Wilson to us'
as he saw fit for the national defense
June 20. 191s.-Army appropriation
bill authorizing increase of the drafte'
army.