The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-25
FAITH IN AMERICAN PEOPLE
Not WeakIings From Whom
Truth Should Be Concealed.
Demands Efficiency in War
Conduct; Urges War Cabinet

I Washington Jan 25-Theodore
Roosevelt drove home with sIedge-
hammer blows Of earuestness the need
for greater speed, more efficient war
organization. a housecleauing of in
competentS. more stress On the really
vital spots OF the war program on the
part OF the government and d keener
realization on the part of the Ameri-
can people themselves Of the stern
TASK ahead, in d speech here Thurs
I day before the members OF the Ma
I tIonaI Press club. He held forth the
warning that al the best Intentions
On earth on eur part would not win
the war If there was to be written
after our efforts the words too late
Should Expose Ineffieieney-
/ Il was a typical Roosevelt speech,
I full of all the sincerity and energy of
the man It epitouIzed the advice he
had been giving the many members of
I congress who had consulted him on
the situation in his visit to Washing
ton this week
! Support to the limit every official
| high or low. just so long as that Of
fetal does well in making more eff
/ c1ent the nations war forces and
speed up the war" he said But on
/ the other hand, oppose and expose
Ineffcieucy where II be found high
effectiveness with which the United
States could throw IT'S great strength
into the conflict at the quickest
moment possible.
People Are Not Cewartfs
The American people" he said lis
a strong people We are told now and
then that the truth would frightaT. our
people SO that they would not 90 on
with the war If they are such a set
OF weaklIngS and towards then Moth
ing can save US. On the contrary, I
believe the full telling of the truth
will wake the American people I'D to a
sterner realization of the task that Is
before them and therefore 10 a stern
eF resolve that cost what it may, ev-
cry deficiency shall be refnediet. -ev-l
cry wrong uT1done. every failure bv
government officials turned into
achievement and a success, so that as
speedily as possible we may harden
our giant, but soft and lazy strength
and exert II to the fullest degree ne
casSary TO bring the peace of liberty
ii this mighty conflict for civilization
md the welfare of mankind"
+ Colonel Roosevelt threw his unGuaI-
flied Endorsement behind the work of
] the senate military affairs committee
Y in probing into army conditions and
/ behind the stand taken by Senator
/ Cham beriaIn, the Democratic chair
man OF that committee
Praise for Chamberlain
/ T know, he said. that the senate
/ investigating committee under Senator
I Cham berlain has rendered the higfes-
service to this country 7 do not be-
Iieve it know il -
He said ne favored the war cabinet
and director OF munitions LEGISLATION
( that had been proposed, knowing that
l II the proper men were not appointed
/ to the positions. the proposed organi-
zation would. De but little better than
the present But at least the system
! would oEIer a machinery more capable
/ OF handling the big war problems
1 than the present Il was in this con-
ueCuon that he made his only refer
euce- to President Wilson directly
/ That was in referring to the presi-
/ dents very apparent opposition to the
senate continuing or conducting such
/ iiveStiga tIonS.
| The colonel with a typical Roose-
veIGan grin read from Mr. Wilson's
work on congressional government in
which NV wilson, then a professor
said that the most important function
+ OF congress. even more than the. 1egiS-
I larIVe function. was that Of inform
ing the people by investigations OF
I the exact manner and efficiency with
which the administration eff the gov
eminent was being conducted Colonel
Roosevelt said he subscribed 70 that
1 doctrine enunciated by Mr. Wilson
some years ago and thought It was
( Sui good doctrine.
| Stone Still Serves KAISER
/ In his speech Colonel Roosevelt
+ took occasion 10 express hrs contempt
for the brand OF patriotism exhibited
4 by Senator Stone OF Missouri He was
/ cheersd and applauded he said
I Senator Stone did all he could TO
serve Germany against the United
/ States by preventing the entry Of the
I United States into the war against
/ Germany and he now does all he can
/ to serve Germany against the United
f States by enGeayorinE Ia prevent the
1 United States from becoming efficient
I in the war against Germany
II Colonel Roosevelt said one Of the
+ greatest needs was hurry
It is 4 cruel thing, it Is wrong to
! Us and d bitter wrong to cur allies TO
delay ueedIessIy one day. LET alone
six months or year when the war
/ worn. war weary allies are with the
! blood Gf-tIleir best and their bravesr
I fighting the battle in which BY every
( consideration Of homer, we should now
be sending our fighting men BY the
H Million The prime need Is the need
4 OF haste
Il SECOND only in Importance is the
need Of organization here. In Wash
i1grou you have had a good MANY
star players. but mighty little team
work
Il 200 New Locomotives Idle
Colonel Roosevelt then cited rFlsa IN
i stance Of ESQ locomotives that had
4 been built for Russia which II was
found impossible 10 send. He charged
f on reliable authority that rltsa-Iv rvzoz