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Show SPEAKER GLARK 10 PRESIDENT INHERENCE Chief Executive's Preparedness Prepared-ness Programme Is the Matter Which Is Under Discussion. AGREEMENT REACHED UPON THE MATTER Attitude of Majority Leader Kitchin, Who Will Oppose Administration Policy, Also Considered. Hj International New-a Service. WASHINGTON, Nov. 10. President Wilson and Speaker Chainp (.lark of the house of representatives held an important im-portant conference at the Whito House late this afternoon on the president's preparedness programme. In a general way the (.peaker HKMired the president of his Mipport, declaring iu favor of a ' ' rensnnnhle programme. " After tho conference Speaker Clark st nt o.l that he could not yet say whether wheth-er he thought the president's programme pro-gramme was " reasonable, " as he was not acquainted witli the details of the administration's plan. The .belief that the speaker will take charge of the fight upon the floor in behalf of the programme, however, was strengthened by his admission that he intends to leave the chair during the coming session-arid speak iu favor of certain measures whenever occasion do-mauds. do-mauds. His keen interest in the subject sub-ject of prepare.! ness was manifested today by his announcement that he has prepared a bill to provide sufficient officers of-ficers for any reserve force that may be creaied. No Fight on Kitchin. The speaker said he does not believe a fight will be made to ouHt Repre-seutjitivc Repre-seutjitivc Claude Kitchin from tie post of majority leader because of his announced an-nounced opposition to the administration's administra-tion's programme. Interest still continues, con-tinues, however, in the unusual situation situa-tion which has been brought about by Mr. Kitchin 's declaration, especially as he is to he the new chairman bT the ways and means committee. In this position he will be called upon to provide pro-vide revenue to carry out tho preparedness prepared-ness programme to which he is opposed. Members of the wayr and means committee com-mittee said today they believe Mr. Kitchin 'a efforts against the programme will be merely personal and he will not oppose it in his official capacity as majority leader. Representative Henry T. Rainey of Illinois, ranking member of the committee, commit-tee, who, with Representative F. J. Garrett of Tennessee has been mentioned men-tioned as a possible successor to Kitchin should the North Carolinian he deposed, de-posed, said i "Freedom of action has always been counted good democracy. The Democratic Demo-cratic party in congress, therefore, is not going to punish a man for taking a stand dictated by his conscience. Kitchin wil! not be deposed as floor leader because ho opposes an increase in the army and navy." Confidence in Kitchen. If Mr. Kitchin loses his fight it is tho opinion of his ieUow members tnat he will take up the question of providing provid-ing revenues to carry out the programme pro-gramme without reference to his personal per-sonal feelings in the matter. Speaker Clark arrived here this afternoon af-ternoon and callod at the White House at 5:30 o'clock. Most of the time he spent with tho president was devoted to a general discussion of way's and means of producing revenue at the coming com-ing session. Before lie went to the White House the speaker declared that in his opinion one or perhaps two of tho already informally in-formally proposed measures for raising the funds necessary to put 'into practice prac-tice the preparedness programme would be followed. The possiiilities mentioned men-tioned by the speaker were a revision of the income tax schedule, a retention of the duty on sugar, a re-enactment of the emergency war measure and fhe sale of Panama canal bonds. The bill that the speaker intends offering of-fering at the coming session will provide for a doubling of the West Point and Annapolis cadets allowed the president and the membors of congress. This will be only the beginning, as the speaker sees it, for his bill will provide also for tho admission to the army and navy academies of any young American who (Continued on Page Three.) !CIM ID WILSON " 'ConWimnd from Fntto Ono) can moot all lenu'nomonts nn to edticrt tion, physitpio ntid moitns. Such cadets, however, will bo required to defray the aetuul exponas nt their training in the Kovernmont institutions. Services Are Needed. Tlie speaker explained Hint tlio Inrpo numbers in' young men who wero su edn-eated, edn-eated, in tidtlit ion to the cadets rcgu- htrly appointed with a view of receiving receiv-ing eommissiuns in two bvanches of tlio regular scr ice, would be nn invaluable1 service to tlie conitry as material for " ot ficeritijj either a reserve force or a! volunteer ni niv. ' ' The speaker sug rented nlso that in t lie event of tlie I uited States ever acquiring merchant ' vessels, the civilian cadets from An- j ! uapolis nulit be appointed to cominaiut ' 1 them. -. I Another strong advocate of natioini! ! defense. Senator .lames P. 1'helan of California, came to Washington todav : deternnned to do all he can tt put tin's! country in a condition of preparedn.'sa i against war. i (Attitude on Coast. j 'Tho people of the Pacific coast are ;a unit for increasod national defense' ; said Senator Phelan. 44 First and foix-; foix-; most I think we should havo a fleet of major ships on both the Atlantic and Pacifio const s. At present the Pacific, coast would be at tho mercy of any. enemy, and events have donionst raiej thnt we cannot count upon the Panama canal to make up for tlie mnullnss ot : tlie fleet. It will be impossible to move the battleship fleet speedily from one j coast to another. A handful of men could damage the canal bevond repair." Secretary of the Navy lhmiels today i took steps that were taken to mean that j ho intends having the last two battle-' battle-' -ships authorized by congress built in government navy yards, lie telegraphed I to the commandants of the Mare island land Philadelphia yards asking them to j inform him at once of just what the cost will be to install the equipment necessary for the building of the batt'o-j batt'o-j ships. I Benson Gives Views. Admiral Benson, chief of utaff, who was called in by Secretary laniels to discuss the Mare Island facilities, paid: We will have to build at Mare Tslaud a slip with foundations heavv enough to carry the required j weight of the largest ships when ! building. The Mare Island yard has alreadv demons t rated its eff i-; i-; cieuey in "work. The Prometheus and tho Jupiter were built there, ' earh of about 14.000 tons displace-j displace-j ment. There is no doubt that the yard could be gotten ready for any ' emergency. J Secretary Daniels said the bids of j the three pr'vate yards have not bten finally rejected, but his inquiries re- garding the government yards were j taken to mean they would be. |
