The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1918-01-29

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day Senator Chamberlain, chairman oi
the military committee, replied to
President Wilson's statement that he
had distorted the facts in charging
that the government had broken down
in it's war preparations. He declared
the rpesident had grossly maligned
him and not only defended but en-
phastically reiterated his assertions,
made in recent address at New York.
He said the president did not know the
truth and he did.
The senator disclaimed any personal
rancor against either the president or
Secretary Of War Baker, saying his
only motives were patriotic, to rouse
the country and to speed up the war
by wiping out ineficiency. In sup
port of his position he cited numer-
Gus incidents of alleged inefficiency Ii
connection with army ordnance, cloth
inc supplies and sanitation brought
out during the military committees
inquiry.
Senators and many representatives
crowded the floor and the galleries
were packed as Senator Chamberlain
spoke. He began quietly, declaring it
was with a feeling Of sadness that he
found 1T necessary to rise to ques-
ton of personal privilege to defend
his veracity, heretofore unassailed,
but as he launched into the speech he
grew emphatic and at times vehem-
ent.
When the Dragon senator concluded
Senator Kirby, member of the mill
tary committee, replied on behalf OF
the administration, fatty contradict
ing the chairman's assertion that facts
brought out in the investigation prov
ed the war department inefirient. Then
the senate adjourned until Monday to
cut off further discussion.
Baker Expected to Answer.
There was no comment either at the
white house or the war department On
the Chamberlain speech. It is known,
however, that administration replies
are to be made soon by Senator James
in the senate and Representative Dent
of Alabama. chairman of the military
committee. and Representative Glass
of Virginia, in the house. Secretary
Baker probably will make his answer
On Saturday, when he appears before
the house committee Representative
Dent called at the department late to-
day and invited him to make state
ment to the committee.
The senate committees bill for a
war cabinet, about which the contro-
versy centers, was referred without
objection today to the committee. The
understanding is that it also will be
referred to the naval committee later.
Senator Chamberlain detailed in his
speech what he declared was proof OF
army ineffciency., He aseHted that
not only was the president ignorant of
the truth about conditions, but that
Secretary Baker also was misled, chal-
lenging from the senate and the coun-
try to inquire and then deny his asser-
tions. Despite the presidents opposi-
ton, he declared the committees army
investigation would proceed and the
committees plans to resume its in
quiry tomorrow by calling Surgeon
Gorgas to testify regarding health
conditions.
No Animus Toward Wilson.
In beginning his address, Senator
Chamberlain said the president had
attacked both his veracity and integ-
rity, heretofore unchallenged, but that
in replying he did so without any per-
sonal feeling against the president.
"For twenty-four years." Senator
Chamberlain said, II have served the
public in my state to the best of my
ability and in all that time L have
never had my veracity called in ques-
ton nor my integrity impeached, and
l have passed through some bitter
campaigns. It is, therefore, with some
feeling of humiliation and also sons
sadness that I rise to question OF
personal privilege when my veracity
has been called in question, not by an
ordinary citizen; not by one of my col
leagues, but by very distinguished
gentleman who has the love and ad-
miration of the people, and who by
their suffrage occupies the highest
place in the gift of the people and,
may say. the highest place of any man
in the world