The Washington herald., 1918-04-25
OVERMAN BILL
TO REACH VOTE
BY SATURDAY
Chamberlain Says It Covers
His Plan Which Presi-
dent Opposed.

Consideration of the administra-
tiOn bill for the reorganization Of
executive departments entered upon
It's final. phase in the Senate yes
terday. when the rule limiting
speeches to thirty minutes became
effective. Senator Overman. in
charge of the measure, hopes to be
able to bring the bill to a vote by
Saturday.
Senator Chamberlain. of Oregon,
who was criticized by the President
for his advocacy of the war cabi-
net and director of munitions bills,
took up the defense of the Over
man measure. He said that in spite
of his disagreement with the Presf-
dent, he intended to support the bill.
which is the Presidents own meas
u~e. He maintained. however. that
the bill would enable the President
to accomplish the very things for
which the war cabinet and director
of munitions bills were proposed.
This bill proposes. to rest. with
the President substantially the
same powers as were in the other
measures. Nevertheless, I am go
ing to vote for it," he said.
Barueh Is Commended.
The appointment of Bernard Baruch
to head the War Industries Board
was commended by Senator Chamber
lain with the comment that in maxi
ing this appointment the President
had followed the suggestions of the
Military Affairs Committee in favor
Of the War Cabinet bill.
Mr. Baruch has gone ahead and
has taken the bit in his teeth" Sena-
tor Chamberlain declared, land has
done the things which We should have
done in the early stages Of the war.
Nearly every inefficient official in the
War Department upon whom the Mil
itary Affairs Committee laid its hand
has been either kicked out or kicked
up since our investigation was be-
gun"
Senator Chamberlain pointed to the
selection of Mr.. Stettinius as chief
purchaser, Mr.. Schwab to head the
Fleet Corporation, and Mr.. McRoberts.
who Is assisting the Quartermaster
General. as being in line with the
committees recommendations for
War Cabinet. He expressed the opin-
ion that without the help of these civ
ilian appointees the War Department
would stin be fioundering in the
dark"
Senator Borah also spoke for the
bill. saying that the powers to be con-
ferred upon the President are limited
10 the duration of the war, and that
they will not enable him TO make any
permanent change in the system of
government.
Would stop Buck Passing"
Senator Williams, spca king for the
hill. declared that it would enable
the departments to systematic their
work so that there would be no more
passing the buck"
Senator Sterling declared the bill
would give the President sweeping
powers to abolish departments that
have been built Up through years of
experiment and trial. and for that
reason he opposed the bill.
Senator Nelson, of Minnesota. ad-
Y Gated trC bill. main tRining sthat it
would confer powers less arbltEa ry
than those already conferred by
other measures which have benn
passed.
''There is no reason to fear that
the President will use any af this
power dcspOtically." he said.
Senator Chamberlain explained that
in advOca ting the measure he did
50 with the reservation that he will
support the amendments to exempt
Interstate Commerce Commission.
Federal Trade Commission. Civil
Service Commission, Tariff Commits
sion and Federal Reserve Board from
the act. These amendments have
been offered by Senator Reed, of
Missouri.