The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-02-07
PRESIDENT WILSON
 SUBMITS NEW PLAN
 | WHICH WOULD GIVE
 1 HIM ADDED POWER Wants Blanket Authority to Reorganize and Co., Ordinate Departments During War
THIS IS ANSWER TO ! SMALL DEMAND FOR
 MUNITION DIRECTOR
Senate Committee Shows Animus and Dangerous Curiosity in Cross-Ex-
 animation of Baker

Washington, February 6. Almost coincident with Secre- tary Bakers reappearance be- fore the Senate military com mittee today for cross-examin- ation upon his recent statement of what America is doing in the war, the administrators answer to congressional agita- tion for a war cabinet and mu- nitions director was given by introduction into the Senate of "a bill transmitted by President Wilson which would give the President blanket authority to reorganize and coordinate all federal departments, bureaus, agencies, officials and per- Sonnel.
 The new measure was taken to the capitol by personal representative of the President, and introduced by Senator Overman, democrat, soon after MT. Baker had suggested to the military committee that such legis- lation was necessary. It would em- power the President to completely make over the executive branch of the government for the period of the war, rearranging existing agen- cies and their functions and estab- fishing such new ones as he might see fit.
 There has been no intimation so far of any specific action under the bill the President has in mind. nor of how quickly the measure Is to be pressed for passage. It was referred to tho judiciary committee. of which Senator Overman is ranking democratic mem bcr. One move which some officials say is contemplated is the appointment of a chairman of the war industries board--a post now vacant-and the in- vestment of the office with powers similar to those proposed for the direc- tor of munitions.
 | BAKER WAS CAREFUL l The military committee did not get far with it's examination of MT. Baker, although he was questioned for three
 hours, because he demurred at telling
 in open session the basis for his as-
 sertion that the prospects were not
 unpromising for enough ships to put a million and half American soldiers In France this year. After much dis cussion, during which Senator Hitch- cock, who has termed the Secretary'o statement wildly exaggerated and preposterous.'' insisted upon an am swer to his questions. the committee agreed that the information should be given in secret session. and MT. Baker promised to prepare statement for the purpose.
 WILL PREPARE INFORMATION I The examination then turned to oth- fer subjects. When the war secretary lleft the stand 1t was with the under
 standing that he would have experts at the department prepare detailed infor-
 nation which he was unable to give concerning various phases of his gen eral statement. After this has been uOH6 He Iiidy Oo 1oSaAco IVY AuxhASt questioning.
 In the meantime, the committee will proceed with it's general war inquiry,
 examining tomorrow Major General
 Wheeler. acting chief of ordnance re- gardine production of chlorine. pow der and other explosives. l Secretary Baker told the committees lthat more American troops had been
 sent to France on January than called flor by the schedule. He explained that lin his calculations as to what could be done he did not rely entirely on Amer lican shipping. but would go no fur i. Ither at the public hearing. V
 EXPLAINS STETTINIUS JOB In explaining functions of the re. organized war department bureaus th< Isecretary said that while Edward R Istettinius. the new surveyor general of supplies. lacks technical leGAl m z thority. he had broad powers in sScur'
 sce.ti..ss .n Pare rAsssa