Evening star., 1927-05-25

/
80 of an appropriation, but he
| hesitated at the Message,
Il continued Uncle Joe Cannon
| spea1ing of President Mckinley's ap
| nroval of Cannon's suggestion of an
appropriation of S5000O,000 to carry
on the Spanish War. He said he
could not do that while he was still
negotiating with Spain. 1t would be
accepted by Europe as equivalent to
declaration of war and he would be
accused of double dealing. He did not
want to do anything to precipitate
matters, but he must have the money.
He knew from his long experience in
Congress that none of the money au'
thorized in the regular appropriation
bills could be used before the first OF
July unless there was an emergency
clause making it Immediately avail
able. He asked If this could not be
done in the Army and Navy or Sundry
civil bills and a part of the approprl-
ation used to purchase ships, trans
ports. ammunition, guns. and supplies.
Il called his attention to the fact
that under the law as it stood appro'
priations could only he made in ac-
cordance with recommendations ana
estimates from the Executive depart
ments and that the Appropriation
would be subject to a point or oruef
in the House, which might defeat ms
nurpose and add to his complications.
| suggested it would he more emoar
RAISING for him to he charged win al
verting appropriations than II would
he to send Message recommending
an appropriation for the national de-
fense. He saw the force of my SuG-
cestion. but he insisted that he couId
not send the Message and keep the
record of foreign relations clear.
Obtains Memorandum.
"Finallv the President asked if
could not report from my committee
a bill making the appropriation Tor
the national defense without any
message. and l agreed to introduce
bill if he would prepare it. The bill
had to originate in the House. Inc
President walked over to the taoie
and wrote on a telegram blank q
single sentence: For national defense.
$50 ,0O0. .O00.0 90 1t wasn't bill nor
message nor an estimate. but 1t was
the President memorandum as TO
what he wanted done, and | put the
slip of paper in my pocket.
II went to my hotel to prepare
rough draft of the bill. Somebody
had TO take the responsibility, ana as
| was chairman of the committee on
appropriations / concluded to intro
duce the bill and report it If my com
mittee would stand by me. as | was
sure il would. The bill would give
notice to the world that we did not
have to consult financiers and bankers
about raising the money, thought
that would be quite rs important as
the advantage it would give the War
and Navy Departments in advancing
their preparations.
Il did not consult anyone, for the
simple reason that after / had deter
mined on my own action ] did not
care to argue the question. 1t
seemed to me q case for prompt ac-
ton. and that ii might save the Gov
ernment hundreds of millions and
many lives to have so millions at
once and get ready for effective war
instead of being driven into hostilities
I believed we would call
the bluff of the European powers who
were allowing it to be more than sus-
pected they would be compelled to
protect their own interests in Spanish
bonds if there must he war. 1t might
also impress Spain with the determi-
nation of this Government and in
duce her to give up the struggle in
Cuba. thus averting hostilities,
Enthusiasm Greets Bill.
"The Presidents memorandum sim
ply indicated the amount of the ap-
preparation, but it had to be elaborated