The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-04-25
CHAMBERLAIN
BACKS WILSON
Announces Support Of Over
man Bill Giving Broader War
Powers to President.
NOT AFRAID OF ABUSE
He Is Glad Schwab and Stet.
tinius, Red Tape Cutters,
Don't Wear Uniforms.
NOT AFRAID OF ABUSE
Special DessotcA to TEE srS

WASHINGTON. April ~. Senator
George e. Chamberlain tOre.). the bold
est critic Of the Administrators con.
duct uf the war on the Democratic side
Of the chm mber. to-day announced that
he intended to vote for the Overman bill.
His intention was made known to his
friends more than . week ago. but until
now the public announcement OF his in
tentions vas not forthcoming.
Senator Chamberlain told his hearers
that tho inencisncy and Incompetence
which he had cared to point out In his
s0eecA last JauuAsy had be1~ modsYatal
n large measure. although still exist.
snI He assertsd that the, ovsrmAn biaA
offered the PrS6ident the opportunity to
60 forward with refor1ns. . right to
which Senator Chamoeriain thought the
President was entitled.
Although II is his intention TO vote
for the bill Senator Chamberlain made
1t clear that he would support the
amendments offered by Senator Reed
tMo.). under whic!, the Federal Reserve
Board and tho Interstate Commerce
Commission will be exempted from the
operation Of the measure. which is to
set aside all legislative restraint upon
reorganization, concentration and coordi-
nation Of governmental agencies.
Takes Flins at Overman.
Senator Chamberlain read into the
Record excerpts from statements made
by the nominal author OF the bill. Sem
ator Overman IN. C), regarding the
smbarrassments caused by existing In
tsrdspartmental conditions which the
North Carolinian had asserted hampered
war work. Then he expressed the view
that the ignorance of conditions. Of
which the President complained. was
particularly to be noted In the outgiv-
inSs Of the Presidents own spokesnrA n
on the floor. Senator Overman flushed
at this criticism, but did not reply. Sem
ator Chamberlain then expressed his
views on the merits Of the bill. He said
II am not afraid Of the President
abusing his power. I shall vote for this
bill to give him these great powers. but
with the exemption of the lnterNate
Commerce Commission and the Federal
Reserve Board.
II am still convinced that the bill for
the director Of munitions and war cab.
met would have entirely served the pur.
pose. The director Of munitions bill did
not come a. an impulse. It was evolved
BY the Military Affairs Committee after
a great deal Of thought and investiga
ton. Great Britain had to come to the
ministry Of munitions. This bill itseli
10 practically the director OF munitions
bill.
Gives Credit to Baruch.
ALREADY there Is in existence body
Of men who virtually constitute the d.
| rsctorate OF munitions. On March I
1918, Bernard NJ. Baruch was appointed
| by the President TO be Chairman Of the
War Industries Board. His duties are
practically those Of a munitions direc'
tor. Mr. Baruch has taken the bit In hii
teeth. The work OF coordination in thii
| department Is going on.
| II believe that the country will agree
with me that nearly every incompetent
who was disclosed by the Military A.
fairs Committee has either been kicked
up or kicked out. There has been q
complete reorganization Of war activities
with the result that distinguished mer
haveSteen placed in charge Of important
undertakings.
"Criticism has been made that ciyiliani
were put In the places OF military men
I say that but for these distinguished
civilians the War Department would stil
be floundering In the dark
Referring to Charles NJ Schwab anG
| Edward r. Stettinius. the Senator said
''These men have cut through a grea'
mass Of red tape They have attacked
the problems in q buMnesslike way. j
IL fortunate that they have not put or
uniforms for where there are uniform!
there 10 red tape"