Mexico Missouri message., 1917-08-09
Secretary McAdoo StartIes Con-
gress by Asking $780,
100000 More for War.
TRANSPORT PROBLEM IS Big
shipping Board Quarrel Ended by
Change Of PersonneI-Russia's Mil
ltary Collapse in ealleia Complete
-FtSneh Repulse Tremendous
German Attacks.
BY EDWARD w. PIcKARp.


The United States is having i'm
pressed upon 1t the magnitude of the
war In which 1t has embarked, and is
| beginning to realize that it must be
| tought through to victorious finish
at tremendous cost In money, energy
and, doubtless, life. The money end
OF 1t was brought sharply to the at
tention OF congress last Tuesday, when
Secretary of the Treasury McAdoo in
formed the lawmakers that $1,000 OOO.-
OOO more than had been estimated
was needed, and needed at once. Much
of this will be expended for ordnance.
Senator SmOot informed the senate
that by the end of the fiscal year the
war expenditures by the United States
are likely to amount to $4,000, 900 900.
The figures staggered the members of
both houses, and there was a hasty
calling together of the senate finance
committee to revise it's report on the
war-tax bill.
Transportation is now one of the
administrations biggest problems
transportation by both land and sea,
but especially the latter. An immense
number of vessels must be provided
to carry to Europe our troops and the
vast supplies they and the allied arm
les, must have, and efforts are being
made to gather together all the avail
able ships, even Japan being asked to
release many of her merchantmen.
Meanwhile the plan of building a mon
ster merchant marine of our own was
given added impetus last week. As
had been predicted, President Wilson
was compelled to take a hand in the
dispute between General Goethals and
Chairman Denman of the shipping
board, and he settled the matter by ac-
cepting the designations of both, and
of Capt. j. B. White as well. He then
named q. N. Hurley of Chicago as
chairman and cambridge Colby as
member of the board, and Rear Ad-
miral Caps, long chief constructor of
the navy, as head of the emergency
fleet corporation in place of Goethals.
OF these appointments, only that of
Colby was adversely criticised. Hur-
ley is an energetic business man and
has been on the federal trade board.
Though the elimination of Cocktails is
regretted by the innumerable admir-
ers Of the great builder of the Pan
anna canal, 1t is felt that no one bet
ter than Admiral Caps could be
picked to manage the construction of
the emergency fleet. 1t is understood
that as many steel ships as possible
will be built, which was Cocktails plan.
Later in the week the president &C.
copied the resignation of Vice Chair
man Theodore Brent of the shipping
board
Steps In Making the Army.
The need for many vessels is en-
phaslzed by the semi-official announce
ment that the United States plans to
send to Europe not only 100000 men,
but more than a million as soon as
they can be trained and equipped and
as fast as transports can be obtained
to carry them across. Two more steps
in the making Of this great army were
taken last week. The men drafted for
the national army began to receive |
their calls before the exemption
boards, the city of Washington lead
ing the way, and the National Guard |
of 10 states and the District Of Co
lumbia was modified to be taken into
the federal service. After few weeks
OF intensive training in camps, the
best Of the guardsmen will be sent
to France to prepare for the spring Of
fensive.
! The shortage Of railway transporta-
ton at home also is troubling the ad- |