Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-04-26
WOULD AUTHORIZE
DIRECTOR OF AIRCRAFT
Amendment Legalizing Ryan's
Position Added to Over
man Bill
KNOX OPPOSES MEASURE
Saws His Constituents Are Against
II on Constitutional
Grounds
Washington. April &c.


Vigorous opposition to the overman
bill. enlarging the powers of the Presi-
dent in organizing the Government TOT
war prevented the expected vote on
perding restrictive amendments. a sur
nrIse was the introduction Of new
amendment authorizing the President 10
appoint a single executive officer to con-
troll the aircraft program, which Sena-
tor Overman said he probably would
accept.
Senator wadsworth, of New York, Re-
publcan. offered the new proposal. under
which all appropriations made for air
plane production would be turned over
TO the man named by the President SEN
ators Thomas, Of Colorado, and Kirby,
| of Arkansas, Democratic members OF
the Military Committee. promptly sup
ported It. the former declaring It was
necessary 10 clothe John n. Ryan, ap-
pointed director of aircraft produc-
ton for the War Department, with
necessary powers to make his wor'; ef-
fective.
Oyerman Likes Idea
/ Expressing confidence in Mr. Eyan's
/ ability Senator wadsworth also said
unless legal control is assured I'VE will
| jeopardi2o prompt progress Of this
| work" Senator Overman said he was
| i'm sympathy with the idea. but desired
| TO examine it's relation 10 past legisla-
/ tion regarding the aircraft program.
/ Senator BrandeEee, opposing any fur
| ther grant OF power. declared the Presi-
| dent is a poor Judge of men, has made
"egregious mistakes" and is responsible
! for his appointees failure to coordinate.
| The Senator a,so charged Congress with
| lacking courage to oppose the Presi.
dents policies. asserting that one-third
Of the Democratic Senators do not In
their hearts approve the Overman meas
ure.
Senators Like white Poodles"
/ Charging that Congress lacks courage
in opposing the President. and is itself
TO blame for domination" by the EX-
ccutive. Senator Brandegee said:
81 don't propose TO be a Senator like
a little white poodle. running between
| the Capitol and White House. carrying
a ball in my mouth and obeyins orders.
Not one-third Of the Senators on the
Democratic side believe in their hearts
that this is a good bill. but they will
. vote for Il because they want TO stand
/ in with the Administration"
These Senator's, Senator Brandegee
said fear that the President might say
to Chairman Vance Mccormick, Of the
Democratic National Committee:
81 don't like this man; send me ono
up that will be a cuckoo"
In conclusion, the Connecticut Sena-
tor deplored conduct "like a lot OF little
trained dogs in dog show"
This sort Of thing makes me sick,
and I won't vote for the bill in any
form" he said.
Knox Opposes Bill
In opposing the bill. Senator Knox
OF Pennsylvania Republican. said he
had received no requests from his con-
stituency urging him TO "scuttle the
constitutional construction of our Gov
ernment" by voting for this measure
The Senator declared he was willing tc
concede that the President is patriotic
honest and wise. but that the time hat
not come for such legislation as this.
Senator Fall, Of New Mexico, Repub
/, lican spoke for the measure.
, This is bill to fix executive respon
, sibiity," he said "and though ! agree
that the powers it grants are not neces
sary | want the untruth of the state
! ment that Congress is hampering III
p. President brought home everywhere a
we'll as in this chamber. Hired writers
this army of camounage artists. canno
continue TO mislead. if it passes, witt
their daily stories that the Presiden
cannot act in emergencies because Con
gress will not give him the power. lie
, him take the credit for the conduct o
the war"
Senator Sherman referred to ap
pointees being square pegs in roun
holes" and declared the Presiden
Should learn more about human pegs.
In selecting Secretary Baker, he SAID
= the President got hold of a pacif1st pc
= and jammed II into the muzzle OF
: war hole"