The Goldfield news and weekly tribune. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1911-1947, 1918-05-25
HECKLING WILL NOT HELP WIN WAR

President Wilson'S notification to congress that he would
regard passage of the Chamberlain resolution, empowering the
senate military affairs committee to investigate every phase
of the war department as a direct vote of lack of conf
dence," can only be interpreted as meaning that Mr.. Wilson
has tired of wellmeaning but unjust attempts at interference
with the successful coordination and operation of our mann
moth military machine. 1t is in the nature of an ultimatum,
and expresses the presidents WEAKNESS over these continued
attempts to take the conduct of the Wal out of his hands. he
points out that these various efforts have been engendered by
a persistent distrust of those in charge of the executive func-
tons of the government, despite the fact that their authority is
clearly outlined by the constitution and long experiences; and
that the responsibility for all acts can be instantly placed and
that methods are provided whereby those in authority can be
held to their duty.
Weighed down as he is with the greatest responsibility
that ever fell to the lot of any single man, there is certainly
justification in Mr.. Wilson's demand that further meddling on
the part of congress cease. He makes no effort to shirk any
responsibility; he is not seeking to set up a virtual dictator
ship; he merely asks that the power granted him by the con-
situton and by later acts Of congress be not curtailed nor be
made the subject of legislative pickering which would tend
more to comfort the enemy than to aid our cause. Should he
prove unworthy or inefficient the remedy is always at hand
Until that time we should judge by results and not by possibly
well-meant but mistaken criticism.
The conduct of the war so far reflects credit ON the admin
istration. History offers no parallel for the rapidity and eff
fciency shown in securing, moblizing, training and equipping
our armed forces. Secretary Bakers promise made last Janu-
airy that by this spring he would have half a million American
soldiers on French soil has been fulfilled. II is even minated
in official circles that the promised half-milion has been ex-
ceeded. These men have been drafted, equipped, drilled and
transported through a submarine infested sea with the loss of
only one transport and some two hundred lives.
These facts indicate efficiency carried to the highest pos
sible degree. The splendid work of our navy and the many
unsung deeds of heroism have wrung tribute from the compe-
tent old British veterans who direct England's fleets. Our
shipping, which was disorganized and fragmentary at the out
break of the war now bids fair to become the greatest fleet of
merchant vessels that have yet sailed the seas under one
flag. The nation is as a unit for the successful prosecution of
the war, and the national spirit is well expressed in the self
imposed conservation of foodstuffs; in the speeding up Of all
war industries; in the roofing out of disloyaly and in the con-
fdence placed in the nations chief executive.
Congress should weigh carefully these facts, and while
constructive criticism should at all times be welcomed, a ban
should be placed on the carping and the meddling legislator
Exchange.