Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-17
Senate CritiCises
 Executive Branch
WHILE CONSIDERING THE $3,-
 e0,o0o, ,ooo WAR BUDGET
NO PROGRESS MADE
The Council of National Defense, the Shipping Board and President Will Son All Were Assailed During Turb- uIent Session.

Washington, May 16-In beginning g consideration today of the $3, ,39O, ,000,- 900 war budget the senate devoted the entire session to sweeping criti- cfsm of the executive branch of the government Seldom has the sen ate chamber been the scene of such vehement attacks. continued for five hours behind closed doors and re- newed after the doors were opened.
 No progress was made on the bill, but with the outburst of indignation out of the way. senate leaders thought passage of the huge war appropria- layed.
 Targets of Senatorial Wrath.
 The Council of National Defense, composed of cabinet officers, it's civilian advisory commission and the government shipping board, were spe- cfal targets of senatorial wrath and President Wilson himself was sharp ly criticised The council was charg- ed with unSurpation of authority and with unlawfully deIegating power to the advisory commission. The ship ping board was assailed for alleged interference with private ship builders and for insisting upon it's wooden ship programme. The president was at tackled for alleged lack of cooperation and consultation with congress.
 Limits Powers of Defense Council.
 The upshot of the entire discussion was adoption of an amendment by Senator Sterling of South Dakota. setting forth powers of the council of national defense shall not be consider ed enlarged beca-se of war conditions. A section of the bill appropriating $500 900 for the defense council was the basis for the debate.
 In Executive Session.
 Democratic Leader Martin consent ed to an executive session, suggested by Senator Weeks of Massachusetts because the whole bill involved dis cussion of confidential military ques- tions. Five hours afterwards the doors were opened because republican senators, including Lodge, Norris and Brandegee. suggested it was not prop CT that such statements as had been heard should be maGe without cog nizance of the public and without op- portunity for those attacked to of&er defense.
 Vigorous Condemnation.
 Democratic senators, it was said afterward, began the discussion by criticizing certain acts of the adviso- ry commission. Senator Reed of Mis- souri was said to have been particular ly vehement. Senator Lewis, of H. Iinois vigorously condemned certain activities of the commission. especial ly regarding the letting of govern ment contracts and offered an amend ment to the law creating the defense council to provide that hereafter men shall be appointed to the advisory commission subject to the senate's confirmation.
 Not Kept Properly Informed.
 Some senators said President Wilson was not kept properly informed re- garding supply purchasing. Others de- clared that the president and the cab met, without warrant of law. had con- ferred some oe their powers upon the advisory commission. particularly as to the purchasing of supplies
 Shipping Board Criticised.
 It was asserted that General Goe- thals opposed building of wooden ships, favoring steel but had been compelled by the shipping board to proceed with wooden construction. Senator Weeks said that members of the shipping board had prevented a private shipbuilding company from 1als from investing, advising them against putting money into specific 
 Upon the question of supply pur- chases, Senator McKellar of Tennessee and other criticized the defense coun- eil and the advisory commission for all eged mismanagement. Persons de- siring to sell war materials to the war and navy departments. 1t was assert ed, were required first to confer with l civilians of the commission.
 Defense of Executive Nranch.
 Senators Martin, Underwood and l Shafroth were among the few demo- 1 ,rats who spoke in defense of the | executive branch. It was pointed out | hat actual purchases were made only l oy the government departments and | he conduct of the preliminary investi- | yations and negotiations by the ad- | Jisory commission had resulted in | saving millions of dollars on war con- l racts.
 Senator Lodge replied to criticisms | hat the senate has been delaying war | egislation.
 lodge Resents Being Called Stacker.
 'In observations frequently made, we have been called slackers and it 1 las been said we are doing nothing" Senator Lodge saod. ''Six weeks go today the war was declared. I | lave never worked so hard or so much IS since the declaration of war. We ,egan by passing four great loan i1ls; we've passed through both Iouses a bill providing for seIective onscription.
 England and Canada have been dis ussing conscription for three years. We've done 1t in both houses inside f fortnight
 The senator reviewed other meas res which have been passed by the enate.
 "I say that remarkable work has cen done" he added.
 NCPEASE IN RnMIIS FOB