The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-01-24
SOMEBODY LIED!
OREGON SENATOR
SAYS IN SPEECH
Democrat Stands Firm in His
Criticism Of Department.
REPEATS DENUNCIATI0N
War Council Bill Is Also Sent
to Committee,

WASHINGTON, Jan I-Sanding
firmly by hi, charge that Americas
military establishment is enmc,hed in
inciliciency. Senator Chamberlain Of
Oregon, chairman Of the military COM
mlttrc, replied IN the senate today 10
President Wilson'S dcnuncation OF his
recent New York speech by repeating
the Nalcmcnt which drew the prcsi-
dent himself does mo-, know the truth.
dent himself docs not know the tnch.
Somebody some ono Of the prcsi-
dents friends or adysorS--has lied"
the senator said
Senator Chamberlain read to tka
senate letter from President Wilson
approving the creation OF a minister Of
munitions He said he did this 10
countcraCt the presidents charge that
he had not been consulted regarding
the proposed legislation 10 he offered in
congress
After speaking nearly three hours.
senator Chamberlain concluded with a
plea that he was only doing his duty
IN arousing the country to It's danger
and that he would support the presi-
dent although grossly malignedT
Senator Kirby OF Arkansas, a demo-
crat, took up a reply
Senator Kirby said II challenge the
statement OF ii all Tho examination
before our committee does not warrant
much that has been said today of the
statement that the military organiza-
ton has broken down"
Because leaders desired to prevent
further debate, the senate adjourned un-
til Monday
The Chamberlain War Council bin,
on motion OF Senator Hitchcock. was
referred to the military committee
without objection when Senator Kirby
had concluded
Senator Chamberlain after hAv-
ing tead to the senate a verbatim
copy OF the speech for which the
president denounced him. declared
that he adhered to what he had
said.
Senator Chamberlain declared he
would show that the deaths Of the hun
dredS and thousands OF men at can
lonmcntS and camps were due 10 the
war department and that all epidemic,
could have been prevented il the war
department had been effective"
His Veracity Attacked.
In beginning his address Senator
Chamberlain said the president had
attacked both his veracity and integ-
rity, heretofore unchalenged but in
replying he did so without any person.
al feeling against the president.
The personal charges against me
amount to nothing to the American
people, but affect policies which may
involve the future of this country, il
not the entire world
Senator Chamberlain said he had
been invited TO speak before the Ma
'lonaI Security league, accepted on
short notice, and without time 10 pre-
pare an address
Assumes Responsibility
He then reiterated that he assumed
responsibility for the speech as report.
"d by newspapers and had read to the
senate verbatim report published in
The New York Times
Upon his return to Washington, SEN
llor Chamberlain said he received
letter from President Wilson contain
ing a quotation taken from the New
York World and asking # the quota
ton was correct The president wrote
hat he did not like to comment on the
statements until he knew positively that
The senator had actually made them
Senator Chamberlain replied that he
had been quoted substantially correct
in the World, bat asked the president
10 read the entire speech as printed
~ the Times, instead OF only part
If IT,
wilson Ignored Him.
I'm his letter the senator also offered
o ~ over the whole situation with the
resident. but said he received no re-.
Nv and ON the following day the pres
dents statement crlticlSinR him was
uhlshcd
The presidents statement and Sen
Iror Chamberlain, reply len were
cad lo the senate
"Now that my rulhiulnes, has been
uedoned' Senator Chamberlain con.
nucd, i feel It my duty to tell tho
ounlry something ! might not have
bid under ordinary circumstances.
o It as man who loves his country
est OF al and who would willingly
i've his life for it, | do II tearlessly
5 an American citizen who desires 10
ep and pot TO hinder"
Wilson Doesn't Know Truth.
He repeated he had not distorted the
ruth in his speech made in New York
,ut that owing to the great rush Of