South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-06-19

The proposed change does not
mean any new cabinet posts. It
will mean a general change in the
running Of a number of important
departments and the coordination
Of the council Of national defense
and its numerous branches so that
there will be cooperation instead Of
the existing friction and efficiency in
quarters now hopelessly deficient.
Pres't Wilson is opposed 20 the
creation OF new cabinet posts. es-
pecially of the many times proposed
position of secretary of munitions.
1t is understood that his opinion is
that if II were possible. II might be
good idea 10 reduce rather than
enlarge the cabinet for the war
period But il is understood that
he and other members Of the cabinet
believe that the council Of national
defense should have its power in
creased so that il would have ex-
ec3tive power instead Of being linn
tied TO making investigations,
Shipping Board Example.
The conflict between the federal
shipping board and Gen. Goethals.
who was elected chief executive Of
its shipping corporation. has directed
attention 10 the very grave danger
of scattered power The board and
Gen. Goethals first broke because OF
the determination OF the former 70
build 1000 wooden ships which ma
val constructors declared would have
been easy meat" for submarines.
Then they clashed over the price 20
be paid for steel for the steel feet
which Cen Goethals declared was
the prime necessity II the war was
10 be won. Now II is proposed that
both wood and steel vessels be built
as quickly as possible but in the
meantime three months Of most val
liable time has been lost
There is a bitter fight on over
how the aircraft situation is 20 be
met. The council Of national de-
Tense wants $500, .O00 spent for
machines and thousands of them
sent 20 France as soon as they can
be manufactured under standardized
provisions But the war and navy
departments are miles apart on
plans II e. expected that as a re-
suit the air service viii be organ
lied as separate department OF
the government before many months
have passed. The very fact that
officials agree that one of the best
weapons against submarine ravages
is the aeroplane properly handled.
is accepted here as compelling
reason why the aerial work Of the
government must be consolidated
Must Have Speed.
These are just isolated conditions.
They and many others have been
brought 20 the attention ~ the
president and ne is studying them
carefully. u is confidently expected
in circles which have no axes 70
grind that a new plan Of c0nsOlida-
ton which viii do away with red
tape and permit speedy action viii
be evolved within a reasonably brief
period so that the war machine may
be speeded up
Ofcials admit that This action
cannot long be delayed All ~ the
information reaching this city shows
thae the Germans are preparing for
new and sustained offensive on
the west front The confidential in
formation reaching Washington
from neutral nations close 20 the
German border all confirm the fact
that Germany. while processing 90
look with scorn" on the entry OF
America into the war realizes fun
we'll that by the spring of 1915 the
American army viii be a powerful
factor
Hindenburg. therefore, IS expected
10 strike between now and Septem-
Der with all Of his forces I'm an en-
deavor 20 win through on the west
and cOmpncate the situation con
fronting the United States. And. un-
less II Is made possible for the war
10 speed up its plans OF
getting troops with a fun compile
ment % supplies into the field with
out delay there is a possibility that
the task Of conquering the Germans
VIII have been made doubly hard
BIZ next fall.