Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-12-21

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 to 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 is why was it not expend-
ed quickly and wisely? General Persh-
ing's troops, it appears, have had to
rely on the British and French for ar
tillery and other supplies, and the men
in the American training camps have
been very inadequately furnished with
rifles, warm clothing and other neces-
sites. 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 su-
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 intimated last
week he would soon address congress
on the matter and ask legislation. It
appears he does not favor actual gov
ernment ownership of the roads, but
rather the creation of an administra-
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
managements and would be guaranteed
a fair profit.
Leniency for Austro-Hungarians
In his proclamation of a state of war
against Austro-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-
Hungarians shows they do not properly
appreciate this leniency, they will be
placed under the same restrictions that
apply to subjects of Germany.
, In prosecuting his campaign for the
!, conservation of food needed for the
fighting forces, Mr.. Hoover last week
| added a porkless day, Saturday, which
: he asks everyone to observe In addi-
| ton to the wheatless and meatless
days, he urges a wheatless and meat
5 less meal each day. The federal trade
: commission having been informed that
5 canned goods are being boarded in the
: warehouses of the meat packers, an
: investigation of this was started al
once.
The coal situation is becoming mort
: and more serious with the increasing
ly cold weather. The administration:
of various states are complaining bit
terly of the hardship imposed on theil
people, and in Ohio only the stern in
tervention of Fuel Administrator Gar
field prevented Governor Cox from
seizing the coal at the lake ports. Il
the senate the conditions brought ou
: severe criticism of the railroads ant
u of the government priority board
+ Several more of the American rail
V way engineers in France have beel
y killed, this time by aerial bombs drop
: ped by the Germans in a town through
; which the engineers were passing.
n The successful military revolution il
: Portugal is causing the allied govern
S ments some uneasiness, for while tn
S new government set up announced tha
r Portugal would remain faithful to he
pledges, the insurrection was directe
against the most trusty friends of tn
K allies, and some of them, including
n President Machado and Premier Costa
: have been imprisoned. DR.. Sidoni
e Paes, who led the revolt, has bee
t made premier and foreign minister.