The Sentinel=record. (Hot Springs, Ark.) 1900-current, 1918-04-12
SMITH or GEORGIA
LED ATTACK ON BILL


Wa hn6lon Aprll lI-R Restrictions
of the presidents power in reorgan-
l1tug government agencies to military
establishment and other war making
branches was advocated and opposed
today when the senate resumed de-
bate on the Overman reorganization
bill, laid aside q week for passage OF
1edltion legislation
Senator Smith. OF Georgia. demo
crat led the attack on the admins
tration measure. declaring that while
there i5 no lack Of confidence in
President Wilson, he should not be
given authority to disturb tie inter
state commerce commission federal
reserve board federal trade commits
sion. or othor agencies OF the civil es
Adjustments He said he favored Civ
Ing the president more power over the
military establishment than the bill
provides, but by specific designation
by congress
Ia long speech championing the
bill. Senator Lewis, OF Illinois. demo
cratic whip declared that congress-
should give tho president any powers
he deems necessary 70 successfully
prosecute the war
ANY who are asainst any measure
that the president demands as neces-
aary to win tbs war" he said. are
against the president
lie added that the people wanted
the war won aud would be impatient
with technical legislation which the
president regards essential.
In running debate with opponents of
the bill as It is now drafted. Senator
Lewis said he believed the president
now has thority to make changes
in government departments without
legislation, but that the president has
often been criticized for exercising al
legged dictatorial or illegal powers
during the war and that such criticism
should be avoided by giving him the
81 eifie statutory authority he desires
.nator Cumming, OF Iowa. republi
can, who has vigorously opposed the
measure interrupted to suggest that
under its terms the president would
appoint deputy" president transfer
all his authority and virtually retire.
senator Lewis said this was not a
fact but SUGGESTED that the interstate
commerce commission, federal trade
commission and federal reserve board
could be abolished and their functions
consolidated in Il board or business.
finance and transportation
Senator Reed, OF Missouri, democrat.
again spok ia opposition to the gen
eral authory proposed in the bill and
declared that its enactment is unnec-
essary TO affect reorganization of
agencies in the civil establishment
lie insisted that as the bill Is brought
forth purely as war measure" it
should carry specific limitations
Senator Ashurst, OF Arizona demo-
crat, pleaded that no aid nor comfort
be given to the enemy by shaokling
the American commander In chief
THad General Foch and Marshal
Joffre.' Senator AshuIst said, been
hampered by red tape. by orders from
a war council or by voluble congress
they would not have w0a the victory
Of the Marne.'
The Arizona senator declared Presi-
dent Wilson the most potent official
In "all Christendom' and the spokes-
man for the allies.
Yet" he continued, "this man who
has demonstrated his great capacity
for public affairs and has moved with
uneTring precision in matters Of world
wide import, is not to be trusted--so
say some senators-with the power OF
certain bureau officials
and chief clerks in Washington