Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-04-05
Reed Of Missouri Believes
President Might Turn Over
Departmental Reorganiza-
ton to George CreeI,
KNOX SAYS POWERS NOW
ARE QUITE SUFFICIENT
Borate Defends Bill Which.
Would Empower Chief Ex-.
ecutiVe to Completely Revo-I
lutionize Agencies,
lsv MORNING IovnnA. Special seAsto mlrsl

tsV MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED wiaEl
Washington, April 4.-Opponents
of the Overman bill to authorize the
president to reorganize government
and agencies for the war
period. opened their attack today in
the senate.
In an address of two hours, oppos-
ing the legislation, urging amend
ments specifically limiting the pro-
posed powers, Senator Reed OF Mis-
souri,, democrat. declared the presi-
dent, under the pending draft, could
wipe out and destroy" the Interstate
Commerce commission, transfer func-
tions of the federal trade commission
to Chairman George Creel of the bu-
reau of public information and give
those of the federal reserve board "a
the comptroller OF currency or any
banker or private individual
WIN Continue Fight.
When Senator's Fletcher of Florida
and Wolcott OF Delaware, democrats
declared their confidence that the
president would not make such use
of the bill Senator Reed argued that
they should not object, therefore. tC
special exceptions.
The effort to force amendments viii
be continued tomorrow by Senator
Smith of Georgia
While Senator Reed was speakine
Postmaster General Burleson, who
took the Overman bill to the capto
the day it was introduced, appeare5
in the presidents room just outside
the senate chamber, and conoferret
with a number of supporters of the
measure. Referring to Mr. Burle.
sons visit, the Missouri senator de-
clared he would not object to reply.
ing to cabinet members arguments il
they were made on the floor OF the
senate rather than in whispered con.
versations in the cloak rooms"
The Rate Making Powers.
Senator Borah of Idaho, republican
said the powers of the Interstate Com
merce commission had practically
been dispensed with owing to the TAX.
ing over by the government of contro
of the railroads and asked what could
be expected from the commission ir
reviewing rates fixed by the president
and based upon financial needs of tht
roads, growing out of the war While
the commissions powers have beer
Senator Reed replied
it still retains many powers of 9
wholesome" character.
Senator Knox of Pennsylvania, re-
publican. spoke against the bill.
II think it is mistake for the
president to call upon congress fol
powers that he already has" he said
II think he should execute his Off.
cial duties as defined by law and thai
congerss should execute its duties ac'
cording to it's traditions"
President Has Power.
The Pennsylvania senator cited The
armed ship bill as an example of the
president asking for powers which ht
already possessed. A bill to permi
the arming of merchant ships was in
troduced, he said, and after fill
buster it was defeated, after which
the president ordered ships armed.
How much better, he continued, i
would have been for the president t.
have exercised his powers and to have
armed merchant ships than come ant
ask unnecessary legislation that caus
ed much unpleasantness in the senate
Senator Borah said in that partic
ular instance that there was mucf
Doubt over the question whether thu
president had the power to order thi
done without proper legislation, ant
he believed that in matters of doub
it was better for the executive ant
legislative departments to act to-
gether.