The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-01-26
SSl sUMTER s. C. SATURDAY. JANUARY oe 7o7a
CHAMBERLAIN TO FIGHT.
WILL PRESS WAR LEGISLATION
IN SENATE.
Oregon Senator and Committee tO Go
Ahead I'm Spite of Presidents Oppo-
sitiOn.

Washington, Jan. 22.-Neither the
aggressive opposition of President
Wilson nor the apparent certainty
that their measure would have no
chance in the house even if passed by
the senate is halting the campaign Of
the advocates in congress of bills to
establish war cabinet and a director
| of munitions.
when the senate reconvenes Thurs
day, according to plans made today
by Chairman Cham berlain and his as
sociatcs on tho military committee be-
hind the legislation, the contest will
De opened. They propose with mo-
ton to refer the war cabinet bill to
the military committee as the vehicle
OF debate to open discussion Of the
merits of their war machinery or
ganlzation program and Senator
Chamberlain expects to reply to the
statement issued by President Wilson
last night criticisilg him for his New
York speech in which the Oregon SEN
ntor said the military establishment
had "broken down."
Administration leaders also con-
ferred today at the capitol and plan
ned to fight the Chamberlain bills and
answer attacks upon the government's
conduct OF the war. In preparation g
number of Democratic senator's saw
the president last night. It is under
stood the president told them he be-
lieved the country would support him
in his opposition to legislation that
would abandon a machine carefully
developed since the war began in fa-
vor Of a new and untried organization.
The president advised his visitors
that under the present organization
the war record Of the government has
been one OF great accomplishments
and would result in placing abroad by
next June twice the number of Ameri.
cans originally planned Mistakes In
such gigantic task, he suggested
were to be expected.
To meet the arguments Of the ad
ministration spokesmen Senator
Chamberlain and his supporters are
preparing to elaborate on the def.
ciences In providing army supplies and
equipment disclosed in the commit
tees war inquiry. Today the investi-
mfttee decided to resume the inyesti-
cations next Saturday calling Surgeor
Genera Gordas to testify regarding
cantonment sanitary conditions. The
record of the investigation to date
was hastily completed today to be
furnished to senators in readiness FOR
Thursdays debate. Late in the day
Senator Chamberlain included in the
record statement furnished by the
war department showing shortages o.
euipment in National Guard and Nat
ional Army cantonments on January
l. On that date the overcoat short.
age was over in all camps but Camp
Lee, Virginia, showed q large short
age Of wooden coats, Camp Funston
Kansas, so per cent in blankets anc
Camp Funston. Kansas and Cam.
Sewer, South Carolina, reported short
ages Of 65 and 60 per cent, respec-
lively, in woolen breeches and coats.
Secretary Baker submitted with his
report letters retracting certain state
ments made to the committee some
time ago regarding sufficiency Of cloth
ing ut Camp Sherman, Ohio.
/ Prompted by President Wilson,
statement last night the ordnance bu-
reau Of the war department has en-
rarked upon new publicity policy.
While no official statement was avail
! able 1t was indicated that wherever
military necessity does not demand
suppression of facts and figures, full
information as to what the bureau is
doing or has done will be given 70 tho
press.
! In connection with the new policy it
was disclosed the reorganization Of
the ordnance bureau began early in
May, 1917, less than month after
tho declaration Of state Of war. A
rough draft of the rcorGanizations re-
fcrred TO by President Wilson in his
statement so far as that bureau il
concerned at last was drawn up dur
ing May and had the approval of the
president himself
PASSENGER RATES MAY BE IN
CREASED.