Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-12-20


N gas sentry post ready to spread
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-
s0nally 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
fcrces--a delay that is admitted and
that ts usually laid to the old red tape
methods Of the war department Con
gress furnished plenty of money and
the question is why was 1t not expend-
ed quickly and wisely? General Perish
!ng's 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 tnndequntely furnished with
rifles, warm clothing and other neces-
stiles. These are only II few of the
complaints the committee is lnvesti-
gazing.
Secretary Bakers reply to criticism,
an assertion that Americas military
preparations have evoked the atimra-
tion 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 real SUI
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 intmuted last
week he would soon address congress
on the matter and ask legislation. II
appears he does not favor actual gov
elnment ownership of the ronds, 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. Cnder this plan the roads
would be operated by their present
managenens and would be guaranteed
Il fair profit
Leniency for Austro- o-Hungarlans.
IN MS proclamation of state of war
against Austro-Hungary President Will
son announced an unexpectedly enient
poiicN IN the treatment of subjects of
me dtlal Kingdom I'm America SO long
as they behave themselves they ore
iell Tree TO reside and labor in the
paifed zones closed to Germans, and
tileS are not required to register with
the police and poslmasters This
policy was hailed with joy by thou
sands of Czechs, Bohemlnns and Poles
who hate Austria, and uiso was a great
rellef To many employers who had
feared their industries would be erin.
pied. If the conduct of the Austro.
d'ihgarlans shows they do not properly
appreciate this lcniency, they will he
placed under the same restrictions ,bat
apply to subjects of Germany.
In prosecuting his campaign for the
conservation of food needed for ,he
Eghting forces. Mr.. Hoover LAST wool,
added porkless day, Saturday. which
ne ASKS everyone to observe. In add-
'loh TO lhe Wheatless and meat;es.
days. he urges a wheatless and meat
less meal each day. The federal trade
commission having been informed ,hut
canned goods are being boarded in the.
warehouses OF the meat packers. an
investigation of this was started M
once.
The coal situation is becoming more
ana more serious with the increasing
~ cold weather. The administrations
ol various states arc complaining bit
teriS OF the hardship imposed on their
people, ana In Ohio only the stern in
terVenfion of Fuel Administrator Car
feld prevented Governor Cox from
seiZing the coal at the lake ports Tn
the senate the conditions brought out
severe criticism OF the railroads and
OF the government priority board.
Several more of the American rail
way engineers in France have been
Killed, this time by aerial bombs drop-
| pea Dy the Germans i'm Il town through
which the engineers We're passing.
The successful military revolution in
Foftugai is causing the allied govern
ments some uneasiness, for while the
new government set up announced that
| Portugal would remain faithful to her
pledges. the insurection was directed
against the most trusty friends of the
! allies. and some of them, including
| President Machado and Premier Costa
have been imprisoned. DR.. Sidonio
Paes, who led the revolt, has been
made premier and foreign minister.
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