Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-17
SENATE FLAYS
PRESIDENT AND
WAR ADVISERS
Wilson and Defense Council
.VehementIy Denounced in
Open and Secret Sessions
by Men of Both Parties.

Washington, May l6.-1n beginning
consideration today of the $5,390,000,
900 war budget the senate devoted the
entire session to sweeping criticism OF
the executive branch of the govern
ment. Seldom has the senate chamber
been the scene of such vehement at
tacks Continued for five hours behind
closed doors and renewed after the
doors were opened.
No progress was made on the bill,
but tonight senate leaders thought
passage OF the huge war appropriation
measure would not be long delayed.
The Council of National Defense,
composed of cabinet officers, its civil
ian advisory commission and the gov
ernment shipping board, were special
targets of senatorial wrath, and Presi-
dent Wilson himself was sharply crlti-
ciSed
Vote to Curtail Powers.
The council was charged with
usurpaton Of authority and with un-
lawfully delegating power to the ad-
visory commission. The shipping
board was assailed for alleged inter
ference with private ship builders and
for insisting upon its wooden ship
program. The president was attacked
ior alleged lack Of cooperation and
consultation with congress.
An amendment setting forth that
the powers of the Council of National
Defense shall not be considered en-
largcd because of war conditions was
adopted. A section of the bill appro-
priating $500,0O0 for the defense coun-
ell was the basis for the debate.
Democratic Leader Martin consent
ed to an executive session, suggested
by Scantor Weeks of Massachusetts,.
because the whole bill involved dis
cuSsion of military questions.
Republicans Open Doors.
Five hours afterwardd the doors
were opened because republican sen-
ators. including Lodge, Norris and
Brandcgec, suggested it was not
proper that such statements as had
been heard should be made without
cognizance of the public and without
opportunity for those attacked TO- OIL
fer defense.
Democratic senators, it was said,
began the discussion by criticismg
certain acts of the advisory commits
sion. Senator Reed of Missouri was
said to have been particularly vehe-
mcnt. Senator Lewis OF Illinois v,g-
orously condemned certain activities
of the commission, especially regard
ing the letting of government con-
tracts and offered an amendment to
the law creating the Defense Council
to provide that hereafter men shall
be appointed by the advisory commits
SION subject to the seante's conflrma-
ton.
Wilson Not Informed.
Some senators said President Will
son was not kept properly informed
regarding supply purchasing. Others
declared that the president and the
cabinet without warrant of law had
conferred some of their powers upon
the advisory commission, particularly
as to the purchasing of supplies.
1t was asserted that General Goe-
thals opposed building of wooden
ships, favorink steel, but had been
compelled by the shipping board to
proceed with wooden construction.
Senators Martin, Underwood and
Shafroth werea mong the few demo-
Gratis who defended the executive
branch. Senator Lodge refuted as
sertions that the senate has been de-
1aying war legislation.
England and Canada have been
discussing conscription for three
years. We've done it in both houses
inside of fortnight" he said.
Senator Poindexter said some peo-
pie seemed to have the idea that the
war would be won by legislation.