Evening journal., 1918-02-07
Wilson ASKS FOR
AUTOCRA!IC TOWER

WASHINGTON. Feb. president
Wilson Yesterday transmitted to the
Senate his answer TO the growing de-
mand for reorganization Of the execu-
tive departments of the Government
concerned in the prosecution OF The
war. 10 was counter demand for au-
thorlzation to reorganize the entire
Government without clrcumscription
or restraint upon his personal VIII.
The Presidents demand was present
ed in the form Of bill introduced by
senator Overman North Carolina),
after senator Martin, the Democratic
floor leader, had refused to stand spon-
sor for H.
Under the bill absolutely autocrstic
powers would be conveyed 10 the presi-
dent TO rcorganize the established de-
partments, bureaus, agencies and offices
without consultation with Congress and
without the necessity for any leglsla-
tive sanction TO his acts beyond the
appropriation Of the funds necessary TO
pay the bills.
More than a week ago the President
hit on the idea for meeting the charges
Of deficiency in the governmental ma
chinery. and senator Martin was APP
preached and the suggestion that he in
troduce a measure Of the sort presented
yesterday by Senator Oyerman. At that
time he told the Presidents emlssary
that he could neither Introduce nor
support such a bill
The cmssary returned to the White
House somewhat crestfal,en, but not
hopeless Meanwhile senator Martin
conferred with Senator Simmons North
Carolina. chairman Of the Committee
on Finances. This conference was not
productive Of a change in the attitude
Of Senator Martin and 10 is rumored
but not confirmed that he found in
senator Simmons sympathetic lis
tener 60 his criticism of the proposed
law.
Yesterday Postmaster-Genoral Burie
son again visited the Capitol and pre-
scented tlnal pea for party support for
the bill. His mission was frultless
and Senator Overman at once carried
the bin to the Senate. whence 1t was
referred to the Committee on Judi
clary.
CONSERVATION spread through the
/ Capitol when the daring character OF
/ the Presidents latest move on the
/ legislative chessboard became known.
Republicans and Democrats alike were
aslounded by the very frankness Of the
Presidents demand for the complete
/ REIMBURSEMENT Of practically every
! legislative power and pterogatlve OF
/ Congress except the approprlatllng
power. The criticisms were sharp and
/ vehement
/ Senator Martin denied himself 10 In
I reviewers and Senator Simmons also
said that although he had been appraised
Of the Presidents desire for the enact
ment OF such a measure he had been
so closely engaged on the work Of re-
viewing the war finance corporation
bin that he had not had time TO go into
The details of his colleagues bill.
81 think IL Will DC well TO scrutinlAo
the measure with exceeding care said
Senator Simmons II do not believe
that on analysis il Will be seen that
the powers delegated under the bill are
greatly in excess OF those already
granted the President in the various
war measures already in force
senator simmons attention was di-
rected TO the concluding clause Of Sec
| ton of the Overman bin in which It
| is proposed that the President be en-
powered 10 employ by executive order
+ any additional agency or agencies and
/ 10 vest therein the performance OF
such functions as he may deem appro-
pirate