The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-31
SENATOR
OFFERS CRITICISM
Of us. WAR CHIEFS
Says Failure to Provide Ade-
quate Hospital Facilities
for Returned Wounded Is
Worst OffenSe.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1l-senator
Chamberlain, Of Oregon, chairman Of
the Esnats military committee. spoke
for more than three hours yesterday in
the senate in criticism Of the VA de-
partmsnt, dealing particularly with
what he termed the failure 10 provide
adequate hospital facilities for returned
wounded soldiers and u formulate 4
definite plan for rehabilitation
The senator reiterated many 81 the
charges he made In his address at NsN
York soon after the nation entered the
war, and In a subsequent address 10
the senate and said that Information
that had come 10 light since had iusti-
fled the statements he had made. Sena-
tor ChambeTIaIn'H New York address
brought forth a sharp statement from
President Wilson. Referring indirectly
today to tina criticism, the oregon sem
atOr said his purpose then and his pur-
pose nov was 10 bring about an I'm
provement In conditions.
Mr.. Chamberlain said the war depart
ment now iB pursuing with regard 10
hospital facilities the same di lhtory tao
tics II did in the prosecution OF the
war many months ago.
II the war department." he declared,
paid one-half the attention to prep
arhtions for receiving these boys as
! they are to getting legislation through
congress In order to protect contractors
who made contracts for war supplies
| over the telephone In violation Of law,
this matter would soon be settled
Urges Policy.
Tho need for a definite policy OF de-
mobilization was urged by the senator,
who said that II ono were established
unrest among the mon In environments
and overseas would cease. lie praised
the British plan for returning It's sol
dicrs to civil life, saying II was framed
along economic lines,
The senator was frequently inter
rupted by questions from other sena-
| tors, but there was no general debate,
In concluding, Senator Chamberlain
paid n tribute to the American army
In France, saying that only once, and
| then nv command OF the French officer
in charge, had an American unit ever
| given ground before the enemy. No
army Ia all the history of the world, he
declared, had made such a brilliant rec
ord, ,
Senator Chamberlain said he referred
~ the OvermaN hllL in order to draw
trcyV the past \ lesson for our guidance
IN the future -
Criticism has been resented at all
times nv the war department, he said,
eul IN view OF the good that came from
such criticism = yeAr ago good may
ea,us cut u ii sGatn, one result a
yrAr ago he added, was the promotion
q tstlcitag officers and the shelving Of
tRssa who were inefficient,
New that the armtstlce has Hfteo
re veil of secrecy" said the senator,
Ne know that every charge made by
Ire committee WAS absolutely true
Senator Chamberlain read extensively
Ac-n the recent report Of Gen, PershinE
80 sLppap-; his assertion that despite
zhe claim made AS far back as last Feb
~uE-y thousands 81 ~airplsnes were be-
rnE shipped abroad ana the heavy ord.
nkure situation was improving, u hat
been necessary for the American ioreet
10 depend heavily on both the French
and British governments for airplaie'
NpE ING guns Even nj ST, Mihiel, h'
SAD. the Americans were dependen
upnn French and British air service
Ana also for guns.
Refers to Report.
Senator Chamberlain spoke Of the re
pprt al Charles IL. Hughes on the air
crRftNpruduCtion as additional eVtdenT
bearing u ms charge OF inefficiency
particularly referring to that portion o
The report which SAID misleading state
meuts hau been made on authority @
the secretary OF war concerning tn
production uf aircraft,
Regarding American casualties, h
saIu
Taking she number Of men on tn
hnttle front ana the CAsuHlties-th
dead, wounded and missing there ha
been practically ZIG per cent ui tn
boys on the front killed, wounded @
missing
senator Paindexter asked II il wer
not u fact that the presiaent was re
~sponsibie for The acts 81 the eXeCutty
departments Senator Chamberlain re