New-York tribune., 1918-02-16
Arguing for War Cabinet,
Senator Contradicts
Secretary
Accuses President
Of Partisanship
Blames the Administration
for Coal and Shipping
Troubles
Staff Corvespondence1


per cent as many troops have been
sent to France as was planned by Sec
retary Of War Baker on October I.
Senator John w. Weeks, of Massa-
chusetts. argued to-day, thus virtu-
ally wing the lie to the statement
by Mn. Baker before the committee
recently that more troops had been
sent than had been planned. In stat
ing what Mr.. Baker expected Mr.. Weeks
referred to conversation he had with
the Secretary on October /.
President Wilson was charged by
Senator Weeks with first having in
jected partisan politics into the effort
on the part Of members of the Senate
Military Affairs Committee to correct
defects in the war organization with
the view to preventing the repetition
OF blunders. In proof Of this he men,
toned the Presidents attack upon
Chairman Chamberlain, of the Mill
tary Committee and the Presidents s
action in summoning Democratic lead
ers to the White House with the pur-
pose of having debate on the super
war cabinet and ministry.
Supporting the Military> Committee S
war cabinet and munitions director
bills, as a constructive, non-partsan
effort to aid and net embarrass Presi-
dent Wilson in unifying America S
war force. Senator Weeks detailed de-
lays and difficulties Of the government S
military preparations. He declared that
lack of a central body to make and
direct all Of the governments wal
plans is largel; responsible for pres
ent and past troubles.
Cites Nirulent Attacks
Cone of the notable features of the
present situation" Senator Weeks con-
tended, sis thcs virulence used in at
tacking those who favor the commit
tees plan (of centralization). They
are referred to as plotters, mischievous
meddlers and even as servitors of the
enemy. Every means of false Sugges-
ton has been used TO discredt SIN
cere and loyal attempt to make a
change which will materially increase
the efficiency of our war administra
ton"
Asserting that it is physically i'm
possible" for the President to ndi-
vidually coordinate and direct all of
the governments functions, Senator
Weeks added:
Can it be possible the President
will be embarrassed by such a cabi-
net? 1t would seem as Il he would
1N. ,I,.av., cd T.,
a perpetuaton Of the disjo;nted system
which now exists system which
failed to produce ships, notwithstand
ing the shipping plans; which has
failed to deliver coal, notwithst standing
the unbounded coal supply we have !;
which has been responsible for failure
to protect our soldiers against sick
ness and furnish them With suitable
clothing"
The Secretary of War, Mr.. Weeks
declared, is pacitist. The Senator
recalled the attitude of the Secretary
IN laying so much stress on the fact
that this country was 5000 miles from
the front instead of Fastening prep
aration with the same vigor we would
exercise if our borders were the battle
front"
In Contrast With James's Eloquence
The Senator, in attacking the War
Department and defending the Military
Committee, of which he is Republican
member. was in marked contrast with
the fiery eloQuence yesterday of the
defence of the admin istration by SEN
ator Ollie James, of Kentucky Mr..
James is of the old school Of oratory.
Few excel him in painting word pict-
ures, in vehemence of manner, in tear
fI1l u; RI
III pointing with pride-whenever he
mentions the President OF the United
States or the Democratic party.
Mr.. Weeks held his manuscript in his
hand, talked in a conversational tone
and acted altogether as though he were
a mildly displeased director of bank
voicing his objections to the Presi
dents policies at meeting of the
board of directors.
He was interrupted but seldom. Once
however, he drew the fire of Chairman
Stone of the Foreign Relations Com
mittee, when he intimated that some
lay with the Administration. He said
that "not everything had been done
to make the Root mission to Russia a
success" He asserted that certain
recommendation of the commission
had been ignored.
Senator Stone at once challenged
this and demanded why the Senator
had brought up such a delicate matter
in open session.
al didn't bring it up-the Senator
from Kentucky collie James, brought
it up yesterday" said Mr. Weeks.
1t was in reply to Senator James's
speech that Senator Weeks made his
startling statement about shipping. He
said he desired to answer the impress
sion given by Secretary Baker regard
ing shipping available to transport and
maintain troops in Europe. Last Oc-
tober he said, he talked with Mr.. Baker
regarding the number of troops he
planned to send abroad.
"On February just 81 per cent of
the troops were in Europe that were
if Mr.. Bakers plans had
been carried out" the Massachusetts
Senator said.
Mr. Weeks said
81 have delayed making any comments