The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-05-27
WILSON'S POWER
ROUSES CAPITOL
Members Amazed at Extent
to Which Authority Has
Been Asked.
LIKENED TO AUTOCRACY
Rumblings Heard and Open
Criticism May Result From
Pending Bills.

aut0crattc In their nature ana never oe-
fore possessed by the nations Chief
Executive, are being sought In this emer-
gency by President Wilson and are be-
slowed on him in the war measures
passed or pending.
These powers have been demanded by
the President because he deems them
vitality necessary IL the war rs to be
won. IN other words, to win this war
against autocracy. autocratic authority
reaching into the very homes OF the
people must be placed at the disposal
Of the President as the nations battle
chief. to be used or not as he sees fit
That is the position which Mr.. Wilson
has taken In the few weeks that the
nation has been at war. And Congress.
recognizing the occasion as extraordi-
nary and practically laying aside parti-
sanship, has not thus far been disposed
to take issue with him. Nevertheless.
as measure after measure is being de-
bated or passed giving the President vir-
tually these dictatorial powers over the
people. with respect to their homes. their
businesses, the food they are to eat and
their very status as citizens. anxious
eyes are turned from the Capitol to the
White House, eyes that question while
| lips are dumb. And the question Is this
! Granted such powers are necessary in
/ this great world crisis. will they be prop
erly administered and will the country.
swinging away now from its traditional
| landmarks. return to them again when
| the war Is over?
Powers Already Granted.
7 to-, M
last few days by many Senators and
Representatives, including members Of
the Presidents own party. A survey OF
some of the war mea sures shows why.
Powers OF a dictatorial nature given
to the President under measures already
passed and signed or now in conference.
covering various matters Of public in
terest. including industry. agriculture.
commerce and transportation, may be
stated as follows:
Under the food administration bill:
The right to control necessaries in ths
way of food and all the processes,
methods and activities Of production.
storage. distribution. sale and consump-
ton. This includes the right to license
any business for the handling OF food
the right to direct when and at what
price food shall be sold. the right tc
take over any factory. mine or plant
producing fuel or food. the right to f1
the price at which food or fuel shall b
bought and sold. the right to say wha
kind of -four shall go into bread, ant
the right virtually to establish nation
wide prohibition by prohibiting the US,
of foodstuffs in the making Of intoxi
cants.
May Comma ndeer Ship Plants.
| rIatf
The right to commander for the use
. of the Federal Government and as q wa
: measure shipbuilding plants and plant
. manufacturing ship materials and part
Of ships engines. naval ordnance store,
O. naval stores, including ordnance stores
. and to take over under Federal super
= vision private plants or parts OF plant
a as may In his judgment seem advisabl,
Under the conscription bill The rigf
to decide within limitations only as I
- age and the condition of dependency {
members of the family Of the conscriI
J.. Just which classes Of men shall be n
:, lected for military service and from wins
!, , walks of life and conditions of privat
~ employment such men should be calle
% Under the proposed amendment
|, the interstate commerce law: The righ
= in person or through some such persc
" as he may designate, to direct II
preferential shipment Of any freight a.
y cording to his own Judgment Of Its reli
= tive Importance TO the public securi
a and defence, a right which virtual
y would MAKE him master OF the country
70 transportation without actually takir
possession Of the railroads.
Loans to Other Nations.
Under the bond issue law: The rig
q to make loans to foreign Governmen
in amounts based upon his person
Judgment and the advice of his Secreta-
- of the Treasury. limited only by q
total amount of $4,000. 100000. T.
-. right is described by the law as follow
nt THAT for the purpose OF more effect
ys auv nroyiding for the national securi
a. and defence and prosecuting the war
"a establishing credits in the United stat
Gu for foreign Governments. the Secreca
Of the Treasury. with the approval
the president, is hereby authorized
ho hehalf of the United States to purcha
20 at par from such foreign Governmer
'- then engaged In war with the enem
of the United States their obligato
hereafter issued, bearing the same N
ne ~ interest and containing In their esse
ne tiaIs the same terms and conditions
10 those of the United States issued unc
er authority of this act to enter into su
NV ARRANGEMENTS as may be necessary
da.Irabie for establishing such cred
ga for purchasing such obligations
foreign Governments and for the sub
ouent payment thereof before maturit
"a Under the espionage bill: The rii
.o control the press through authors
zion 70 proclaim from time to time I
M lie 10 the press as to what classes
resI Information regarding military
ltic naval plans and progress may be print
ck- THE censorship provision. however.
,os heen redrafted daily during the p
|, week and it's terminology changed Z
eta altered in various ways
ss" Farther shipping Powers.
ryndcr the shipping provisions Of
..neral deflciency bill. more commo
on Snown as the war budget bill The RI
nac ~ n rsume absolute control over the 81
den hu,lding industry of the entire nat
ON To take over at price to be liked
ere .ubseouent agreement ships In courst
his construction for private parties whet
In .hev he Americans or foreigners.
lish take over control OF all establishing
ken ,vherein are manufactured parts OF sl
or OF their materials or machinery
% 10 assume control OF parts OF pli
iish where only parts OF such plants are
sired to be used for Government worl
OF the measures listed above only
bond bill the naval bill and conscrip
2Te OewtsWssd % sses~S pssa
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