Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-08
ESl0ENT
ASKS GREAT
WAR POWER
Opposition To Reorganiza-
tion Bill Is Voiced By Law
Makers of Both Parties; !;
Battle Is Certain.
ADMITS NEED FOR
REFORM, ,SAYSLODGE


opposition, outspoken by republicans
and uttered privately by many demo
Gratis, was voiced today against the
war reorganization bill introduced yes
terday by Senator Overman. Some
quoted, declared the bill probably
could not be passed, nor even favor
ably reported from the judiciary com
mittee.
"The bill would abolish republican
form Of government" said Republican
Leader Gallinger, declaring that if il
should be seriously pressed senate re.
publicans would plan concerted op
position.
{. DEMOCRATS SURPRISED.
Introduction of the BILL" said Sena.
tor Lodge, "is complete admission OF
the necessity for reorganization in
Just the form proposed by the military
committee. But it goes so much
Until the bill was introduced, SEN
ate democratic leaders said today,
they had no idea the president consid-
cred asking such sweeping authority.
The first clash on the measure is
promised next Monday when the SEN
ate judiciary committee begins its
consideration. - g3Fas
GIVES WIDE POWERS.
The bill, drafted by the attorney gen.
eral at the direction of Mr.. Wilson.
authorizes the president during the
war to distribute, coordinate, consoli-
date, and otherwise reorganize any and
all existing administrative functions
and agencies and create such new
agencies as he deems necessary for
the conduct Of the war He is also
authorized to transfer appropriations
from one department, bureau, or CON-
xission to any other agency he may
designate.
/ NEED NOT CONSULT CONGRESS.
The measure proposed to clothe the
president with power to dictate any
changes he desires in the war making
organization without consulting con-
gress.
Under its provisions he would be en-
abled to wipe out statutory methods of
conducting the public business which
the president recently said constitute
the only obstacles to carrying out ef-
fectively the reorganization of the war
department planned by Secretary
Baker.
OFFERED As SUBSTITUTE.
The president offers this plan OF re-
form of war making agencies as a sub
Btitute for the war cabinet and muni-
tions director bills proposed by the
senate committee on military affairs.
The bill was introduced in the SEN
ate by Senator Overman of North
Carolina. The president had sent the
bill to Senator Martin, the democratic
leader in the senate. Postmaster
General Burleson was the presidents
messenger. Mr. Burleson said the
president wanted the bill passed with
out delay.
Senator Martin read the bill, but
apparently did not take kindly to the
proposed legislation.
REPORT MARTIN REFUSED.
The story soon became current that
Senator Martin had refused to intro
duce the bill, pronouncing it most
extraordinary measure and objecting
strenuously to the proposal to clothe
the president with practically unlim-
tied power free of any check by con-
gress. At any rate the democratic
leader directed Mr. Burleson to hand
the bill over to Senator Overman on
the ground that it would be referred
to the judiciary committee, of which
the North Carolina senator is the act
ing chairman.
IT was not asked to introduce the
BILL" Senator Martin said. II have
not given it any consideration. do
not know what it contains and l have
not made up my mind as to whether
i will support it or not. Any story to
the contrary is false"
DIVIDES CONGRESS
It is apparent that the bill is des-
tined to stir up as much opposition as
have the Chamberlain bills for the i'm
provement of the war making organ
ization.
It divides congress into two camps,
one maintaining that the administra.
tion has been proved inefficient by the
senate investigation and unworthy Of
q grant Of unlimited authority to pro-
coed along mistaken lines, the other
contending that the president, as com.
mander-in-chief of the army and navy,
IS responsible for the successful con.
duct Of the war. is not shirking that