St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1917-04-04
War Plans Being Rushed

War plans, military, economic ana
financial, for aggressive hostllltles
against Germany We're rushed forward
today by the administrative branch of
the government. and only await action
by Congress on war resolution 20 be
put into execution.
Enactment of the resolutions not
LATER than Thursday was forecast at
tie Capitol after the delay OF "a hours
had i; beens caused iii. the Senate by
Senator LaF'olIette's@ objection to its
immediate consideration. !. Debate viii
begin. in both houses. tomorrow with
action before adjournment probable.
!. Sentiment in favor Of the resclu-
tons is almost unanimous, and tire
only question is how much time shall
BE devoted to speech making. >, r
went over the war plans in two hour
session and previously the National
defense Council with its civilian adj
Visory commission and several sub
sfd1ary organizations, developed poll
cies and details of momentous conse-
Quefioe to the nation. Meanwhile the
War and Navy Departments were go
ing ahead with the most Immediate
preparations lot ueItilSc.
Already. the navy has. taken steps
to insure cooperation ! between the
American fleet and those of the en-
tente to become effective upon the
formal entry of the United States into
the war. The most important plans
under preparation by the administra-
tton include:s l.
Enlistmehts by selective conscrip-
ton of young men for D national army
in. addition to, the regular establish
men and national guard and incre-
ments of 100000, until enough have
been trained to make certain the de-
feat of Germany;
Organization of the national com,
mercial interests for economical ant
effective distribution of commoditie:
among the civilian population:
Rapid provision of adequate mean:
of combating the submarine menace
The raising of a very large sum o.
money, as much as possible, to be OBJ
tanned by taxation and the definite
amount of the first budget not to b,
fixed until the exact needs of thu
army and navy. and the entente allie
are ascertained;
Purchase of supplies and equipmen
of all kinds for the army under a pro
vision of law which allows the Sec
rotary of War to fix a "reasona bl
price" and
Division of the young men of tn
country. into service classes, thos
needed more in industries than in tn
army or navy to receive insignia show
ing they are performing duty equiv
alent to fighting.
Most of these plans will require tn
authorization of Congress but from
opinions expressed at the Capitol
is believed that once the war. resolu
;.tion is adopted further legislation t
empower the executive branch to 6
; full speed ahead will follow quickly
sl,he council of national defense, fol
Lowing a council with its administra
ton committee decided to name 500
a commercial board to organize tn
commercial interests of the nation fo
effective distribution of all necessar
commodities among the people gener
ally. Tentative ways in which tn
great sums of money needed by tn
government may be raised are j
course of preparation, and were gon
over thoroughly at the Cabinet NEE
ing today.
The revenue making power. how
ever. lies solely with Congress. an
the Executive can only advise.
In the line with the President sa.
ing in his address to Congress tn;