The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-01-24
SLASH INTO
WAR MACHINE
Senator Ohamberlain's Speech
Nh 0aagzass Today Attracted.
Full House to the
Galleries.
INVESTIGATIONS AT
Food and Fuel Hearings Completed,
But Military Probe viii
Be Continued
Tomorrow.
1HvEsT1GAFro J: AT
lBy L. c. Martin, United Press Staff


[By L. C. Martin, United Press Staff
Correspondent
WASHINGTON Jan. 24.-Senator
Chamberlain was to slash into the
Baker war machine on the senate
door today.
He proposed to rise to q question
Of personal privilege at the opening
of the senate to answer publicly
President Wilson's charge that he
had distorted the truth to batter the
present war administration and to
back his own bill for q war cabinet
of three.
The barrage directed against the
war department through Chamber
lain's committee had lifted Republi-.
cans and q few democrats were
ready to go over the top In what
they characterized an effort to rid
the war department of inef1ciency
and to speed Americas war work.
Chamberlain's speech drew enor-
nous throngs. Standing room only
was available long before the noon
hour at which he planned to speak.
Prodded by Colonel Roosevelt and
stunY by the presidents open crit-
cism Of himself. after months OF pro-
administration labor. Chamberlain
planned virile defense OF his own
position and an active attack upon
existing conditions.
His speech marked the elimination
OF days Of doubt and criticism on
congress- part as to the Baker war
work. Senate observers character
lied it as perhaps the sharpest direct
attack the administration has had to
face. It marked the open outburst
OF congress over shearing OF Its
powers. but it appeared doubtful that
the insurgents could overcome the
administration power.
Efforts to smooth out the upheaval
yesterday proved unavailing. both a!
the white house and Senator Cham
berlain's Office. The efforts continued
this forenoon, but Chamberlain ap-
parently was not to be detected.
1t was possible that by night a
decision would be had on the war
measure. Plans called for its intro
duction today and it's unobstructed
reference to Chamberlain's commit
tee. An immediate, favorable report
may come from that body and ifSso,
reference to the naval committee
for pigeonholeing be attempted.
A vote to refer will mean that
and that the president and his sec
retary are vindicated.
However, adjournment may be
forced after Chamberlain's speech, so
that super-heated feelings of many
may have chance to cool before
further discussion or action occurs.
The military committee, which
paused today for the big battle in
the senate over the war cabinet
measure, will resume its inquiry to-
morrow with Surgeon General Gorgas
as a witness.
Healthy conditions in the army
camps which the committee has been
told have been bad, will be gone
into.
Regardless of the fate of the war
cabinet measure, the military inves-
tigation will continue until all phases
of the war departments activities
lain said today.
With exception Of the military,
senate Investigations today passed
into their final stages with prospects
of early reports from the many
angled Inquiries into the war situa-
ton.
The food and fuel subcommittee
with it's hearings completed, today
announced that formulation Of its re-
port will begin Friday. That this
committee will submit two reports to
the manufactures committee, seemed
certain.
The majority report, 1t Is believed
will contain severe criticism of the
fuel and food administrations, IL it
drac not actually recommend the re-
peal Of the law creating them.
.The committee will not confine
its findings to individuals" declared
Senator Reid, chairman of the SUBJ
committee. The Missouri senator a
bitter opponent of the food and fuel
law, has with him apparently Sena-
tors yardaman, Lodge and Kenyon
in his attitude of the. committees
findings. The interstate commerce
commission which has been conduct
ing hearings on railroad control
LEGISLATION expects to close that fea-