Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-20

gained effort and directed energy
from the center Of government al
Washington to the humblest citizen in
the most obscure hamlet or the most
isolated farm.
We expressed, Also the opinion that
this can be obtained only when the
president is able to delegate to cap.
able cabinet the multitudinous duties
which devolve on him as the nation
head in its present crisis.
A capable cabinet would not permit
the various war boards, commissions
and experts to work at cross purposes
to such an extent that the resulting
confusion would bring about, as it has
brought about now, most grievous
delay in the nations preparations for
actual and effective participation in
the war on scale commensurate with
Americas resources, her man power
the war raised in the hearts Of the 9th
er nations aligned against Germany.
An instance-one of many-may be
cited to indicate the condition which is
drawing criticism to the cabinet. A
few days ago Major Murphy, over in
France, appealed to the women of
America to speed up the knitting OF
socks and sweaters for the soldiers, to
send more comfort bags and keep
sending them. He spoke of the sever
ity of the winter in northern France
and prophesied that the coming win.
ter will be more difficult than last
Secretaries Baker and Daniels-ad-
visers to the president, members of the
cabinet and the two men in charge of
the entire army and navy on which
America is depending so desperately
for her continued existence-saw in the
appeal an intimation that the soldiers
and sailors are not provided by the
government with sufficient clothing to
protect them in extreme weather. They
rushed into print with somewhat indig-
nant declarations that the sweaters,
socks and comfort bags which Ameri-
can women have been sending to
camps and cantonments and navy
bases here and abroad are not necessi-
ties, but luxuries. They resented the
implication that the men really need
ed these things.
They threw wet blanket over the
enthusiasm Of hundreds of thousands
of patriotic women: they placed a
weapon in the hands of pro-Germans
which cannot but delight them hugely;
they did their selfish bit to dam the
flow of loyalty which the Red Cross
has created and directed by means OF
diligent and tireless work, but they
protected themselves SO they thought,
against what their queer intellects ap-
praised as hint of inefficiency.
Had they been thinking and wording
on the broad gauge standard, which
should be the minimum measure of a
war cabinet member they would have
had neither the time nor the inclina-
ton to take offense at Major Murphy's
action. The fact that they could see a
reflection on them in his appeal is the
plainest proof that they lack the ca.
racity which should be the first re-
ouisite for appointment to the war cab
met.
Since the nation entered the war
Secretary Daniels has hoped
frantically from one puerile contro-
versy to another. and il the war secre-
taryl has been a few sjumps behind his
colleague he has closed the gap by
Joining in the silly and damaging
sweater episode.
It is to be hoped that the women OF
the nation win show their superior
good judgment by redoubling their
work in cooperation with the Red
Gross, which. despite the many OBJ
stacles inefficient officialdom has un.
Willingly put in its way, is one OF our
few well organized and really diligent
war agencies.