The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-12-28


the committee learned in the first few
days work has been made public to
show that the complaints and the in
/ quiry are warranted. The brunt falls
on the ordnance and quartermaster
generals bureaus, though the chiefs Of
these bureaus are not considered per-
sonally 10 blame. The senators want
to learn the real causes of the delay In
supplying arms artillery and all other
/ munitions to the nations fighting
forces-a delay that is admitted and
that is usually laid to the old red tape
methods of the war department Con-
gress furnished plenty Of money, and
| the question liz why was 1t not expend-
ed quickly and wisely7 General Perish
| ing's troops, 1t appears, have had to
rely on the British and French for ar
| tlllery and other supplies, and the men
| In the American training camps have
! been very inadequately furnished with
rifles, warm clothing and other neces-
stiles. These are only a few of the |
complaints the committee is investi- |
eating.
Secretary Bakers reply to criticism,
an assertion that americas military
preparations have evoked the admira-
ton Of the experts of other ntaions,
can scarcely be taken as an adequate
defense Of the methods OF his depart
ment. In explaining the delay In OBJ
| tanning machine guns General Crozier,
chief of the ordnance bureau, declared
] that Mr. Baker himself was to blame.
! The whole thing should and probably
| will result In the creation of a real SUI
perior war council and the sooner this
| is done, the better for America and the
| world.
| The railroad question is claiming
much attention Of the administration,
| and President Wilson lntimated last
! week he would soon address congress
/ on the matter and ask legislation. II
appears he does not favor actual gov
eminent ownership of the roads, but
rather the creation Of an administers
tor or board Of transportation with
power to direct the employment of the
joint resources of the railways In what
ever manner is deemed best for war
purposes. Under this plan the roads
would be operated by their present
arrangements and would be guaranteed
u fair profit.
Leniency for Austro- Hungarians.
In his proclamation OF state of war
against Austro-H Hungary President Will
son announced an unexpectedly lenient
policy In the treatment of subjects of
the dual kingdom In America. SO long
as they behave themselves they are
left free to reside and labor In the
barred zones closed to Germans, and
they are not required to register with
the police and postmasters. This
policy was hailed with Joy by thou
sands Of Czechs, Bohemians and Poles
who hate Austria, and also was a great
relief to many employers who had
feared their industries would be Grip.
pied. If the conduct of the Austro-
Hungarlans shows they do not properly
| appreciate this leniency, they viii be
] placed under the same restrictions that
! apply to subjects VI Germany.
} In prosecuting his campaign for the
} conservation of food needed for the
fighting forces, Mr. Hoover last week
! added porkless day. Saturday, which
: he asks everyone TO observe. In addi
i ton to the wheAtless and meatless
days, he urges a wheatless and a meat
5 less meal each day, The federal trade
: commission having been informed thai
$ canned goods are being boarded in tn,
I warehouses OF the meat packers, al
: investigation Of this was started Al
once.
The coal situation IL becoming NOR,
and more serious with the increasing
. ly cold weather The administration
: Of various states are complaining bit
! teriy Of the hardship imposed on thei
: people, and In Ohio only the stern in
Prevention OF Fuel Administrator Gar
neld prevented Governor Cox from
0 seizing the coal Mt the lake ports. Ii
the senate the conditions brought GU
: severe criticism OF the railroads ant
u OF the government priority board.
'r Several more of the American rail-
" way engineers In France have beel
y killed, this time by aerial bombs dror
D. ped by the Germans in town througl
p which the engineers were passing.
n The seccessful military revolution 1
p Portugal Is causing the allied govern
IS ments come uneasinlss, for while tn
IS new government set up announced ths
ir Portugal would remain faithful to he
pledges, the insurrection was directe
against the most trusty friends OF tn
k allies, and some of them, fncludin
N President Mashado and Premier Cost
n have been Imprisoned. DIR. Sidoni
e Paes, who I'D the revolt. has bee
II made premier and foreign minister,