Licking Valley courier., 1917-12-20

H~~~~~S~~~o~~oN~~~o~~~~
the committee learned in the first few
days work has been made public to
show that the complaints and the In
quiry are warranted. The brunt falls
on the ordnance and quartermaster
generals bureaus, though the chiefs Of
these bureaus are not considered per-
sonally to blame. The senator's want
to learn the real causes of the delay In
supplying arms, artillery and all other
munitions to the nations fighting
forces-a delay that is admitted and
that Is usually laid to the old red tape
methods of the war department. Con-
gress furnished plenty OF money, and
the question is why wassit not expend-
ed quickly and wisely? General Persh-
ing's troops, it appears, have had to
rely on the British and French for an
tillery and other supplies and the men
In the American training camps have
been very lnadequately furnished with
rifles, warm clothing and other neces-
stiles. These are only a few of the
complaints the committee is investl-
eating.
Secretary Bakers reply to criticism.
an assertion that Americas military
preparations have evoked the admira-
tion Of the experts of other ntaions,
can scarcely be taken as an adequate
defense of the methods hls depart
ment. In explaining the delay IN OBJ
tanning machine guns General Crozfer,
chief of the ordnance bureau, declared
that Mr.. Baker himself was to blame.
The whole thing should and probably
will result In the creation of a real su-
perlOr war council, and the sooner this
Is done, the better for America and the
world.
The railroad question Is claiming
much attention of the administration,
and President Wilson intimated last
week he would soon address congress
ON the matter and ask legislation. II
appears he does not favor actual gov
ernment ownership Of the roads, but
rather the creation of an adminlstra-
tor or board Of transportation with
power to direct the employment of the
Joint resources of the railways In what
ever manner Is deemed best for war
purposes. Under this plan the roads
would be operated by their present
arrangements and would be guaranteed
a fair profit.
lenlency for Austro-
In his proclamation of state of war
against Austro-Hungary President vii.
son announced an Unexpectedly lenient
policy In the treatment of subjects OF
the dual kingdom In America. So long
as they behave themselves they are
lett free to reside and labor In the
barred zones closed to Germans, and
they are not required to register with
the police and postmasters. This
policy was hailed with JOY by thou.
sands OF Czechs, Bohemlans and Pole,
VINO hate Austria, and also was great
relief to many employers who had
feared their industries would be erin.
pied. If the conduct of the Austro.
Hungarlans shows they do not properly
appreciate this leniency, they will be
placed under the same restrictions that
apply to subjects of Germany.
In prosecuting his campaign for the
conservation Of food needed for the
Fighting forces, Mr.. Hoover last week
added porkless day, Saturday, which
he asks everyone to observe. In addl.
tion to tlfe wheatless and meatless
days. he urges wheatless and meat.
less meal each day. The federal trade
commission having been Informed that
canned goods are being boarded In the
warehouses OF the meat packers, an
investigation Of this was started nj
once.
Inc coal situation is becoming more
ana more serious with the increasing.
~ cold weather The Administrations
OF various states are complaining bit.
terry of the hardship imposed ON their
people, and In Ohio only the stern in.
tervention OF Fuel Administrator Gar.
held prevented Governor Cox from
SELLING the coal at the lake ports In
the senate the conditions brought out
severe criticism Of the railroads ana
OF the government priority board.
several more of the American rail.
way engineers In France have been
Killed, this time by aerial bombs drop.
ped by the Germans In II town through
which the engineers were passing.
The successful military revolution I'm
Portugal Is causing the allied govern
ments some uneaslness, for while the
new government set up announced that
Portugal would remain faithful 10 her
pledges, the lnsurrection was directed
AGAINST the most trusty friends of the
allies, and some OF them, inc ding
President Machado and Premier Costa.
have been imprisoned. DR.. SidonIo
Pacs, who led the revolt, has been
made premier and foreign minister.