The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1918-01-17


matter, as in all others, Director Me-
| AdOo has plenary powers. Indeed,
next to the president, he is now the
most powerful official in the nation, his
authority being paramount to that OF
| the interstate commerce commission
and the state railway commission.
He can revise rates, determine divi-
dends and even discharge and appoint
directors and other officials.
Senate Committee Prods Baker.
Bureaucra,.c methods and the red
tape in which they are entangled were
rather mercilessly exposed in the in
quiry conducted by the senate commit
tee on military affairs, and as one re-
suit the committee did precisely what
President Wilson successfully opposed
last summer when he defeated the
plan to create a congressional commit
tee on the conduct of the war. After
hearing that more than 10000 men in
the army camps are without overcoats
and nearly $4,000 without winter
blOuses, the committee adopted a reso-
luton asking Secretary Baker to sup
ply these deficiencies at once and to
permit camp commanders to cut the
red tape and purchase the garments
wherever possible. The secretary of
war also was requested to ascertain
whether any other serious shortages
existed and if so, to obtain the sup
plies at once. Mr.. Baker said he would
take the action reqiiested.
The committee has been finding out
a great many things that explain much
of the eXasperating and perilous delay
in equipping our troops with arms, mu
nitions and other supplies and the
good effects of the investigation are
already apparent in the speeding up
that is being shown.
Interesting Developments in Chicago.
Without betraying government plans,
it may be said that arrangements are
being made to devote @ great part of
Chicago's manufacturing resources to
the making of large caliber guns and
finished shells. 1t was stated a local
director of munitions might be appoint
ed to appOrtiOn the war contracts.
Another event of importance in Chi
cago-impOrtant to the whole country
was the definite settlement, during
the war, of all labor troubles at the
stockyardS. Through the efforts Of
government officials an agreement was
reached that there shall be no more
strikes or lockouts and that all diff
ferences that cannot be adjusted by
the companies general managers shall
be referred to the United States adj
ministratOr whose decision shall be
final. John e. Williams of Streator,
famed for his success in handling la
Dor troubles, was appointed admins
TRAITOR by Secretary of Labor Wilson.
1t is understood that the agreement
reached in this case represents the
policy the government intends to pur-
sue in all pending labor disputes that
affect the making or handling of war
supplies. Union labor won a big point
at Chicago in that the agreement pro-
videS that the men and women at the
yards can belong to unions if they so
desire.
CONSUMPTION Of labor to build ships
was suggested by Senators Sherman,
Nelson and Bankhead when Vice
Chairman Stevens of the shipping
board told the senate commerce COM
mittee that between 100000 and 30O,-
600 more men were needed to COM
plete the boards program within the
next year. Mr.. Stevens, however, con-
tended that CONSUMPTION of labor would
never be accepted by the American
people.
@r Christmas Peace Offer.
Kaiser Wilhelm did not make his
predicted Christmas peace offer. He
did, however, deliver another of his
bon35astic proclamatiOns to his armies,
in which he gave the German soldiers
high praise and added the statement
that if his enemies would not consent
to such peace terms as he has sug-
gested in the past, Germanys iron
fist and flaming sword would compel
them to yield. At the same time
Count Czernin, the Austro-Hungarian
foreign minister, was telling the peace
conference at Brest-Litovsk that the
central powers were resolved to sign
terms Immediately which will termin-
ate the war on conditions that will be
just to all belligerents, without forcible
annexatiOns and indemnities. They
approved, he said, of the basic princi-
pies uttered by the Russian delegates,
but insisted these proposals could be
realized only If all the belligerents OBJ
ligated themselves to adhere to the
terms of such a peace. He said Ger
many could not allow the right of
self-determination of control to be APP
piled in her colonial possessions.