The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-08-03
President Must Be Final Ar
bitter Of War Questions.
HAS COMFIDENCE IN HIMSELF
Thinks Men He Has Selected TO Advise
Him and Committees and Commits
sions He Created Sufficient, and
Branch of Congress Would Prove o.
ptacls-Suhmarine Stories In Store.


Washington, Aug. Especial In
the opinion OF the best Judges the pres
ent war cannot be run by commissions
or committees, although men connect
ed with commissions and committees
Will be valuable In an advisory Gu
those who are placed In control.
The president OF the United States
must be the final arbiter and sole judge
In everything pertaining to the war,
although he Will work through a great
many ~subordinates. Neither a commit
tee of congress o a commission of
business men can conduct the war,
but 1t is likely that such bodies may
prove useful.
Confidence In Himself.
President Wilson has absolute conf
dence I'm himself and has no doubt that
he can conduct the war TO n successful
conclusion. While he Is willing to hear
advice, he proposes to take 1t from
those whom he has selected to advise
him-his cabinet officers and the va
rious commissions and committees
which he has created.
No doubt he IL willing to accept ad
vice from members OF congress indi-
vidnally, but he is o anxious to have
a coordinate branch of the government
trying To tell him how to manage the
war. especially IL 1t II a legally o IN
stituted commission, such as was pro
vided for In the Weeks amendment to
the food control bin.
The president heretofore has been
strong enough with to have
his own way. and Ii is likely that he
will be able to continue that policy as
long as he is president.
Suggestions OF Good Stories.
There are hints Of some rather
thrilling stories to be told when the
seal of secrecy il removed and officers
and men can talk freely about their
participation I'm the attack which the
German submarines made upon the
convoy that accompanied the American
troops to France.
One thing which no doubt proved
surprising to the submarines was the
fact that cruisers and d~estroyers dash
ed straight at them as soon as they ap-
peared. Even the large cruisers rushed
with full speed upon the undersea craft,
while the destroyers went for a peri
scope wherever II was seen. III the
u boat was submerged the destroyers
dropped their sinking bombs and had
the satisfaction of seeing the effect OF
those bombs by the terrific explosion
which they caused, and 1t proved to
the navy officers that two or three sub
marines had been destroyed.
What . Ruis Can Do.
There has always been a great deal
of criticism Of gag rule" In the house
of representatives. but Ii has been
demonstrated that the rule originated
by Tom Reed Is necessary for the
transaction of business.
IL took the house ten minutes to send
the TODD control bin TO conference un-
der a special rule. Without the rule 1t
and possibly longer, as the debate
would have been extensive.
1t Is almost certain that the house
could not get along without Its gag
rules.
Stands BY His Friends.
Among the criticisms that are some
times made OF the president n that
often attaches to men In high position
is not included. No one accuse him
of failing to stand by his f~riends-that
is, ms long as they stand by him. Par
tlcular reference Is made to the men
he selects for public positions of great
trust, such as cabinet officers. As long
as they support him Loyalty, agree with
him and support his policies the presi-
dent will stand by them.
OF course In the case OF Bryan and
Garrison they would not change their
minds, and 1t was impossible for the
president to have them as his close ad-
visers.
But he II very much inclined to stand
firmly by men who stand with him all
the time.
Il Suited Kenyon.
Senator Sheppard OF Texas, always
an ardent advocate Of prohibition leg
i~slation, interrupted the consideration
Of the rivers and harbors bill and
asked that a time be fixed to vote on
the constitutional amendment for ma.
ton wide prohibition.
Considering" remarked Senator
Kenyon Of Iowa, a vigorous opponent
of the rivers and harbors bill, "the con.
1ition Of some Of the creeks and rivers
which are proposed to be appropriated
for in the pending bill ! should think
that would be an appropriate course"
An uniformed Outsider.
A man from a city as near as New
York to Washington made this inquir,
about a week ago: "Will congress re
main in session for two weeks, do yol
think?" 1t was evident that he hat
not caught the drift In the nationa
capital, for no n expects congress t.
adjourn until the LIST Of October. ant
maybe not then.
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