New-York tribune., 1917-07-24
A.ks Congress to Abandon
Scheme for Joint Com
rnittee
Would "Show Lack of
Confidence" in Him
S.vs the Food Bill Clause
Would Make His Task
Impossible

49,. from the food control bill a
s.,,.s amendment creating joint
..rnittee Of Senators and Represen-
,,,ives TO confer and advise with ex-
.,utiye officials on war expenditures.
I, letter to Chairman Lever Of
a. House Agriculture Committee tAe
p,sident pointed out in frank terms
IA. sueh a committee would be likely
=. constantly harass those directly re-
,,o,sibls for the conduct of the war.
psseption Of the section, he notified
no,eress. he would be compelled TO
i,,srpret IS signifying "a lack of con-
tjsnes in myself"
NJ. Lever and other House leaders
~, understood to be ready TO make a
ds.srnined fight against the provision,
,h;eh was voted into the bill near me
dose Of the long Senate debate.
The House leaders also are planning
70 oppose vigorously the Senate's pro-
vision for food control board Of three
Members instead of one administrator,
md there are many indications that N
ais likewise they will have the Pres
dents unqualified backing.
President wilson's Letter
Mr. Wilson wrote to Representative
Lever, in response to letter promiS-
hg to hasten the food bill through
arierence and asking advice on the
var committee provision. The PreSi-
tsut's reply follows:
Tam very much obliged TO you for
wsr thoughtful courtesy in stating to
-s the circumstances Of the present
vton on the food administration bill,
u | am particularly obliged to you
Il Railing my attention to Section 2S.
lksm it my duty to express my opin-
n about that section and its effect
.,cn the whole administration Of the
var very frankly indeed, since the pub
lie interest msnifestly demands that
should do so.
Section 23 is not only entirely for
sign 10 the subject matter Of the food
administration bill in which il is in
soTporated, but would, if enacted into
lsv, render my task of conducting the
sir practically impossible. l cannot
believe that those who proposed this
section serutinized it with care or an
LyIed the effects which its operation
would necessarily have.
The constant supervision Of execu-
tive action which il contemplstes would
amount 10 nothing less than an as
SUMPTION on the part Of the legislative
socy OF the executive work of the Ad-
ninistration.
0minous Precedent Cited
There is very ominous precedent
IN our history which shows how such q
supervision would operate. ! refer to
ne committee on the conduct Of the
ssr constituted by the Congress during
ne administration Of Mr.. Lincoln. 1t
vas the cause Of constant and distress
ug hsrsssment and rendered Mr.. Lin
teln's task all but impossible.
! an not, beg you TO believe, in any
vsy questioning what might be the mo-
ives or the purpose Of the members OF
iseh committee. ! am ready TO as
lEze that they would wish 70 cooperate
a The most patriotic spirit, but coop
srston Of that kind is not prae-
neab!e in the circumstances. The re-
Feasibility rests upon the Admins
ration. There are abundant existing
nssns Of investigation and Of the eff
i,setive enforcement Of that responsi-
slity.
! sincerely hope that upon the re-
tortiderstion Of this matter both
issses Of Congress will see that my
tsleetions rest upon indisputsble
grounds, and that could only interpret
ns final adoption of Section % as aris-
ng from a lack Of confidence in my
The section objected 70 by the Presi-
,'nt was embodied in an amendment
hiioduesd by Senator Owen, Democrat,
take the place of a similar proposal
2 senator Weeks, Republican. 1t was
Eepied by the Senate, SO 20 81. after
.sref debate. Briefly, II would create
Committee of FIVE Senators and FIVE
representatives. 20 ascertain just how
naraets we're being let and money
'psnt IN the conduct Of the war and 70
rrsd.
Ihs President and the Executive de-
rNnents, under the provision, would
compelled 40 keep said committee
AZ advised es 10 such expenditures
eoatraets," and the committee
o.d compel attendance OF witnesses
~iaeh inquiries as IL chose 10 make.
Liquor and Wheat Fight Is On
:, Vigorous opposition is developing
70 te The Senate liquor and az a
isael wheat amendments 70 the food
- Prohibition advocates want TO
zee acceptance Of the House bone-dry
n''isions, or az least 20 compromise
provision giving the President
80 control over beer and light wines
power 20 commander distilled
t1ob either in or out OF bond. a
fs group Of House members are
g..ssd 70 leaving any minimum price
shsst In the bill.
.snoleations are that the House con
,,,,sss will be named tomorrow. A
ghgsd deadlock may ensue, but 30
sfninsd are the House Administrs-
- leaders that they have decided 20
- 10 heed % urgent appeals for
.11ng Up the bill a. long as the
,s1,nsble joint committee and food
&c features are retained. They will
LIt WA, W assign three men 10 food
.sfa instead Of ysrtinR the powers in
r...hsh nan would only delay results by
ytraz authority
B.asrs probably will be made in the
re-. when the bill comes up to-mor.
e. Instruct the eonfsrress 20 con-
:. ~ AL of the gsnsts amendments,
W,Mminftrstion leaders are eonhden,
Asr ability 10 block such . move.