The Washington times., 1917-06-09
HARDTNC'S CHARGES
MAYSTART INQUIRY
Believed Congress May
Probe Conduct Of War.
GRAFT STORIES ADD SENSATION
Understood Baker Has Ordered
Thorough Investigation.

The speech Of Senator Harding Of
Ohio. declaring that secret information
L. In the hands OF members OF the Sen
ate. that might, II disclosed. call for
Investigations" coupled with the pub
LEGATION Of news concerning alleged
graft on the part Of army contractors.
has caused a widespread sensation here
and may lead to a Congressional probe.
IF were inclined to do So" Senator
Harding. a Republican, told the Senate,
I could stand on this floor backed with
substantial proof Of my remarks and
utter facts that would create a sensa-
ton in the minds of l0o. 00o0 900 people in
this country who are now on the
anxious seat"
According to charges published this
morning in connection with the let
ting of contracts for the construc-
tion OF training camps for the ma
tional army, contractors who had
agreed to build some Of these can
comments on a cost plus profit basis"
and had stipulated that their profit
should amount to a fixed percentage
OF the cost OF labor and materials,
were deliberately paying extravagant
wages and eXorbitant prices for ma
terial in order that their profits might
be correspondingly fattened.
Baker Directs Inquiry.
In Q statement Issued in reply to
these charges the War Department,
through the committee on public in
formation, merely stated that criti-
cisms Of its methods had been an
ticipated, and begged that the public
take into consideration the tire
mendous amount of construction work
which must be done in record time
IL the army IL to be trained in time
for service in France.
1t Is further understood that Secre-
tary Baker already has directed that
a thorough investigation be made into
the charges.
Senator Harding refused to accept
the challenge of Senator Reed OF Mis-
souri, to produce the facts upon which
he based his speech in the Senate. He
merely replied:
II could, II I had the record of a
recent secret session in which there
were the most notable speakers"
At the secret session of the Senate
referred to. both Senators Reed and
Lewis bitterly assailed the Council OF
National Defense on the ground that
II was usurping powers that did not
properly belong to IL and was letting
contracts for various supplies at eX
travagant prices. At the time the Ad
was able to point out
that the Council of National Defense
had not a single contract
Secs War Spirit Lacking.
In addition to the vague charges
he made, Senator Harding stirred the
Senate TO Amazement when he boldly
attacked what he described as a lack
OF war spirit in this county and
added:
"AII this talk about the dethrone-
ment OF the houses OF Hohenzollern
and Hapsburg makes me weary. /
have no sympathy with the houses of
and Hapsburg, but, IL II
be treason TO say IL. wish there was
As much devotion in this country to |
the Stars and Stripes as the Germans |
have for their flag. l have not an
ounce OF sympathy for the German |
cause, but ! say that IL IL no concern !
Of the United States what kind OF a |
government they may prefer.
81 am tired of this practice Of meas
uring a mans patriotism by his de-
to dethrone the Kaiser"
Combined with these outbreaks and
charges that hint at hidden sensa-
lions" the continued rows in the
Shipping Board add grounds for be-
lief that before long Congress, which |
has long chafed under the blame for
delays of one kind and another. will
insist upon a thorough 'look-in" on
he conduct OF the war.