New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-18
Advisory Body at Odds
With War and Navy
Departments
Senators Condemn
Daniels and Baker
Coffin and Baruch
Among Those Dis
pleased by Situation
lFrom The Tribune Bureaul

washington, May IA bitter row
between the Advisory Commission Of
the Council of National Defence and
the War and Navy Departments will be
put up to President Wilson for settle
ment within few days. This was
stated on excellent authority tonight.
Unless the President decides to give
the Advisory Commission considerably
more power than it now enjoys, several
of the more important members will re-
sign. As to the other side, it is de.
clared that the resignation of an off,
Ger of high rank in the quartermaster's
corps is already in the Presidents
hands. This officer feels that it is i'm.
possible to proceed with army pur-
chases under the restrictions imposed
on him by the Council of National De-
fence.
For several weeks now the Advisory
Commission Of the council has been on
the verge of an explosion. All that
has been needed to touch off the sup
pressed grievances of several months
was some promise Of support from
within the Administration. This came
yesterday during the executive session
Of the Senate, when both Democratic
and Republican Senators Joined in an
assault on the incompetency Of certain
members of the Cabinet, urging that
they be relieved Of the war functions
they have been exercising as members
of the council, and that these functions
be given to the Advisory Commission.
Question Councils Authority
Leading Senator'S of both parties
question the authority Of the Council
of National Defence to exercise the
powers it has invoked since the begin
ming of the war. There is no general
aversion in the Senate to conferring
these powers on a proper and compe-
tent authority, but there IS pro-
nounced aversion to granting the neces-
sary broad war powers TO certain Caoi-
net members.
The chief objects of attack in the
Cabinet are Secretaries Baker ana
Daniels, neither Of whom, 1t IS freely
charged by Senators Of both parties
has shown himself capable OF eXercis-
ing war powers.
Certain members OF the commission
among them, it is said, Howard r. Coz
fin. chairman of the committee on IN
dustrial Relations and Munitions stand
ards. and Bernard NJ. Baruch, CHAIRMAN
Of the Committee on Raw Materiais'
have been so disgusted with the ob-
structions placed in the way OF action
that they have already threatened 10
take the matter to the White mouse:
MIR. Cofiin's plain-spoken criticism OF
certain departmental executives mas al
readv caused a considerable strain in
his relations with members OF the Cabi-
net, it is said.
In fact, it is strongly intimated that
director Clifford has had difficulty IN
preserving harmony within the com
missions organization for the last two
weeks. =,
Commission Handicapped
Ever since the declaration OF war,
with its Immediately increased demands
upon the business machinery OF the
Government. the Cabinet members OF
The Council of Defence have been
shunting problems of mobilization and
purchase on the Advisory Commission
The commission, without authority 70
act. has been greatly handicapped IN IT'S
attempts 20 push war business. rms
has often resulted in criticism OF the
council. almost invariably the civiiian
members OF the Advisory Commission
beino the targets. OF late, it is said,
the situation has become almost un-
bearable for several members.
Another phase of the situation wnisn
is forcing vigorous steps on the part
Of the commissioners is the hint from
official quarters that the President pro-
noses TO ignore the advisory commits
sion of the council in creating new ex,
e.utive machinery to handle the 1000
control munitions and transportation
nroblems. Members of the commission
feel that. after devoting several months
q, ,heir time without remuneration 10
tho government business, they are en-
titled TO some consideration in the
creation of the contemplated new ex-
ecutive units. D., -
To such men as Coffin, Baruch and
J,i;us Rosenwald, the prospect OF con-
t;nuinp TO serve in q mere ADVISORY
canacity while the President goes out