The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-08
Four Cabinet Members Ineffi'
cient, Phil Campbell Says.
Third District Congressman
Bitter in His DenunciatiOn.
SAYS NATION MUST WAKE UP
Attorney General Gregory La
beled Seventh Rate Lawyer.
War VIII Not Be Won With
Wind or by Accident.

Flattery of the national administra-
ton, paid press agents. incompetent
and seventh rate cabinet members
will never win the war for the United
States. That was the criticism of the
existing war policy of the government
today by Congressman Phil r. Camp
bell of the Third Kansas district. The
Third district congressman declared
the war would not be won by acct-
dent and that debating societies must
be dismissed from government service
and the best brains of the nation en-
ployed to direct the war program and
make use of the men and materials
at the disposal of the administration
for the best results.
Congressman CampbelIs Indictment
of the national program is the first
direct attack on the war program by
a member of the Kansas congression-
al delegation. His criticism was di-
rected against the four cabinet MEM
bers directly in charge of the war
program-the secretary of war. secre
tary of the navy, secretary of state
and attorney general.
The best brains of the nation must
be employed to win this war" said
Campbell. This isn't time for re-
tanning political favorites in places OF
great responsibility they are not fit to
fill. We must have the best the ma
ton has, just as Germany for forty
years before the war enlisted her
greatest and most able men to per-
form the service of which they are
most capable.
Face Conditions Honestly.
'It is time for the people of this
country and the press of the country
to get away from soft toned flattery of
the national administration and to
look conditions squarely in the face
We must bury the theory that the
Z ic
get rid of highly paid press agents
who laud the president and the cabi-
net with praise. This war affords no
time or place for nattery. What this
nation needs today and must have is
results"
Commenting on cabinet members.
Congressman Campbell declared a re-
organization of the four important
cabinet places was absolutely neces-
sary. OF Attorney. General Gregory,
the Kansan declared:
The president has for his attorney
general a seventh rate lawyer We
/, can't afford to retain political favor
ties We need big men, the biggest
men the country has to offer. Our
sons and our brothers are in the war,
ana must fight to win. They ought to
have the best that can be made And
this country is entitled to know some
thing of the facts.
TT is high time to disperse the de-
Datlng societies and discharge the
press agents. 1t is time to know how
many ships are building and when
they will be ready to sail 1t is time
to know how many aeroplanes are
building and when they will fly. II
is time to know how much ammuni-
tion we have available and when we
will have more. 1t is time to know the
number of trucks under construction
and when they will be delivered. 1t is
time to know something of the arms
being manufactured and when our
boys will be equipped. The country
has a right to know the results which
are being obtained"
Asked concerning the length Of the
war, Congressman Campbell Ceclined
( to venture a prediction.
81 have no idea how long the wal
will last" said Congressman Campbell.
/ We are in this war. and we will stay
/ in until it is won"
Z This war won't be won by acci-
dent" said Campbell. 1T will be won
thru definite program and by the ef-
4 forts Of the best men OF our nation.
/ OF all the inventions called before the
] attention of that special committee
! do not regard one of them as of suf-
! ficient Importance Of value TO gfvl
more than nassing concern"
o