New-York tribune., 1917-12-16
Congress Enters the Ring With
~ Four Suggestions

Final proof that there is widespread,
skeptical curiosity, if not doubt, about how
some elements of Americas war problems
are being solved is indicated by the inltia-
ton of four tentative investigations by
Congress into the war situation. For one
thing, the Senate Committee on Military
Affairs has ordered general inquiry into
the work of the War Department. Again,
the House Committee on Military Affairs,
in the words Of Washington correspond
ent, SIS taking a broad interest in the
state of the military establishment, with
special reference to ordnance" Third, the
Senate has agreed to investigate coal and
sugar. Finally, an investigation OF the
skipping situation by another committee IS
reported to be imminent. AS to the rail-
road situation, it is frankly admitted that
drastic measures are needed to enable the
roads to stand up under the demands OF
war transportation.
The investigation Of the ordnance and
war supplies situation is expected to be
particularly interesting in view Of Amer
icas lack of artillery, rifles and machine
guns. Owing to lack of clothing, it is also
noted, the mobilization in camps Of the
| second draft will have to be delayed
until warm spring weather In addition.
/ food and fuel, now that shortage of coal
is felt in many cities during the cold
weather, are subjects Of criticism in the
very headlines of the daily papers.
! The first result of this Congressional
investigation is the testimony by General
/ Crozier, of the Ordnance Bureau, that
owing to delays caused by slow and in
sufficient appropriations America will
have to depend upon French and Eng
lish cannon until late next summer.
Secretary Baker, in whose department the
delay falls, in a speech in New York City
defends the nations war progress thus:
"People are sometimes disposed to adopt
a complaining tone about our efforts, not
many, Dut here and there one. There arc
two ways of looking at this war and our
preparation in it. One is TO look at what
we have done, and one is to look at what
we have not done IL realize that prac-
tcally every activity of the government
associated in this business has been required
in a very short space of time to expand 5000
per cent, if we take account Of the things
that have actually been achieved, not only
will we find that we have won the admiring
commendation Of visitors from the Old
World. who are familiar with what they have
done and are still amazed at our progress,
but we will find sound ground for pride in
the strength, capacity and greatness Of our
own people" Applause
In short, the first wave Of critical in
spection of this country's accomplishments
in making war is rising. Public opinion
will make charitable allowance for blum
ders which might have been avoided, thinks
"The New Republic" but 'it will be ruth
less with any attempt to conceal them or
with any disposition to stick TO them after
their serious consequences have been ex-
posed. 1t will ask the other departments
of the government to do what Chairman
Hurley has done in the case of the Ship
ping Board. II will ask them to prove
their regret for past failures and their in
tention of doing better in the future by
making in their own departments all the
changes in organization, policy and per-
sonnel which are necessary TO more abun-
dant measure of success"