Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-17
GIVES VENT
TO ITS INDIGNATION
Devotes Entire Session to Sweep
ing Criticism of Executive
Branch of Service.
EVEN PRESIDENT ATTACKED
With Outburst Out of Way,
Leaders Hope for Early Ac-
ton on Huge War Bill.
EVEN PRESIDENT ATTACKED
iBy Associated Rr.ss1

| by Associated PrsSS.1
wASHINGTOA. May lG.-In begin
ming consideration to-day Of tho
$500, 100000 war budget the Senate
devoted the entire session to sweeping
criticism of the executive branch Of
the government. Seldom has the SEN
ate chamber seen the scene of such
vehement attacks, continued for five
hours behind closed doors, and re-
Moved after the doors were opened
No progress WAS made on tho bill,
but with the outburst OF indi ynation
out OF the way. Senate leaders thought
passage OF the huge war appropria-
ton measure would not be long de-
layed.
The Council OF National Defense.
composed OF Cabinet officers: its
civilian advisory commission. and the
government Shipping Board were spe-
cial targets OF senatorial wrath. and
President Wilson. himself was sharply
criticized. The council was charged
with usurpation OF authority and with
unlawfuily delegating power to the
advisory board. The Shipping Board
was assailed for alleged interference
with private shipbuilders. and for in
sisting upon its wooden ship program.
The President was attacked for al
legged lack of cooperation and con-
sultation with Congress.
The upshot OF the entire discussion
was adoption Of Senator SterlinE'y
amendment setting forth that the
powers of the Council of National De-
fcnse shall not be considered enlarged
because Of war conditions. section
OF the bill. appropriating 100000 for
the defense council, was the basis for
the debate.
LEADER MARTIN CONSENTS
TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Democratic Leader Martin consented
to an executive session, suggested by
Senator Weeks, because the whole bill
involved discussion of confidential mill
tary questions. Five hours aftcrward
the doors were opened, because Repub-
lican Senator's, including Lodge, Norric
and Brandegce, 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 offer
defense.
Democratic Senator'S. it was said
sfterward. began the discussion by
criticizing certain acts of the advisory
board. Senator Reed was said to have
been particularly vehement Senator
lewis. Of Illinois. vigorously con-
demned certain activities of the board
especially regarding the letting Of
government contracts, and offered an
amendment 10 the law creating the
defense council to provide that here
after men shall he appointed to the
advisory board subject TO the Senate's
confirmation.
Some Senator's said President Wilson
was not being kept properly informed
regarding supply purchasing. Others
declared that the President and the
Cabinet had. without warrant OF law.
conferred some of their powers upon
the advisory commission. particularly
as TO the purchasing Of supplies.
II was asserted that General
Goethals opposed building wooden
ships. favoring steel, but had been
compelled by the Shipping Board to
proceed with wooden construction.
WEEKS MAKES COMPLAINT
AGAINST SHIPPING BOARD
Senator Weeks complained that
members OF the Shipping Board had
prevented private shipbuilding COM
pany from raising capital and deferred
individuals from investing. advising
them against putting money into
specific corporations.
Upon the question Of supply pur-
chases. Senator Mcclellan and others
criticized the defense council and the
commission for alleged mis-
Persons desiring to sell
war materials TO the War and NAVY
Departments. it was asserted, were re-
quired first To confer with civilians
OF the commission
Senators Martin, Underwood and
Shafroth were among the few Demo-
Gratis who spoke in defense OF the
executive branch. 1t was pointed out
that actual purchases We're made only
by the government departments, and
that the conduct of preliminary inves-
LEGATIONS and negotiations BY the ad-
NSory commission had resulted in saw.
Ing millions of dollars on war con-
tracts.
Senator Lodge replied to criticisms
that the Senate has been delaying war
gislation.
I'm observations frequently made.
we have been called slackers, and it
has been said we are doing nothing"
Senator Lodge said six weeks ago
to-day the war was declared have
never worked SO hard or so much as
since the declaration Of war. We be-
gan by passing four great appropria-
ton bills. We have passed great loan
bills: we have passed through both
houses q bill providing for selective
England and Canada have been
discussing conscription for three years,
We've done II in both houses inside
OF fortnight
REVIEWS. OTHER MEASURES
ALREADY PASSED ny SENATE
The Senator. reviewed. other measures
which have been passed by the Senate.
Senator Fall commented on the
failure of the ADMINISTRATION to in
form Congress officially OF tho pres
ence OF the French and British COM
missioncrs. and OF the advice and sug-
gestions which they brought for the
benefit Of this country. He said that
lie would not vote for the appropria-
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