The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1917-12-27

the committee learned in the first few
days work has been made lie to
snow that the complaints an, he in
curry are warranted. The brunt falls
ON me ordnance and quartermnster
generals bureaus, though the chiefs Of
lhcSc bureaus are not considered per.
Sohhlly to blame. Tho senator's want
10 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 tame
i'e'iods or the war department. Con
gress furnished plenty of money, and
me question Is why was 1t not expend-
ca quickly and wisely? General Perish
ihgS troops. 1t 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 inadcquutely furnished with
rifles, warm clothing and other neces-
sites. These are only Il few of the
complaints the committee is investi-
eating.
Secretary Bakers reply to crit, cisln,
an assertion that Americas military
preparations have evoked the n.lmira-
lion of the experts of other n%taions,
can scarcely be taken as an accouate
defense OF the methods Of his DEPART
mcnt. In explaining the dclAy 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 I'm the creation Of q real SUI
perior war council, and the sooner this
IS done. the better for America and the
world.
The railroad question Is claiming
m'lch attention of the administration,
and President Wilson minated last
week he would soon address congress
on the matter and ask legislation. Tt
appears he does not favor actual gov
eminent 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 or the railways in what
yer manner is deemed best for war
purposes. Under this plan the roads
would be operated by their present
arrangements md would be guaranteed
Il fair profit.
Leniency for ustro-Hungarians.
In his proclamation of q state of war
against Austro-IIungnry President VIII
son announced an unexpectedly lenicnt
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 closed to Germans, and
they are not required to register with
the police and postmustcrs. This
policy was hailed with JOY by thou
sands of czcchs, Bohclmians and Poles
who hate Austria, and also was Il great
relief to many employers who had
feared their industries would be Grip
pied. If the conduct of the Austro-
llungarihnS 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 Il porkl"ss day, Saturday, which
he asks everyone to observe. In addi-
tion to the wheutlcss and mcatless
days, he urges a whcatlcss and Il meat
less meal each day. Tho federal trade
commission having been informed that
canned goods are being boarded in tho
warehouses Of the meat packers, an
investigation of this was started ut
once
The coal situation is becoming more
and more serious with the increasing
~ cold weather. The administrations
OF various states are complaining bit
terly of the hardship imposed on their
people, and In Ohio only the stern in
%tervcntlon of Fuel Administrator Gar
field prevented Governor Cox from
} selling the con Mt the lake ports. In
the senate the conditions brought out
severe criticism OF the railroads and
! of The government priority board.
I Several more of the American rail
' way engineers in France have been
killed. this time by aerial bombs drop
: ped by the Germans In a town through
which the engineers were passing.
! The successful military revolution In
: Portugal Is causing the allied govern.
$ ments some uncasincss. for while the
9 new government set up announced that
l. Portugal would remain faithful to her
pledges, the insurrection was directed
against the most trusty friends of the
< allies, and some of them, including
President MachadO and Premier Costa
+ have been imprisoned. DR.. Sidonic
G Paes, who led the revolt, has beer
t made premier and foreign minister.