The sun., 1918-03-15
SENATORS MEET
U. S. WAR BOARD
Members Of Military Com
mittee Attend First of
Weekly Discussions.
HOUSE WILL COME NEXT
Plans of General Staff Ex-
plaincd and Progress Shown
by Diagrams.
Specinl DkSpnfch 10 THE sly

WASHINGTON. March a. Assistant
Secretary of War Crowell took the first
step to-day In the rapprochcmcnt be-
tween tho executive and legislative
branches of the Government on the ques-
tion OF frankness in regard to war
conditions when he presided at a joint
meeting OF the Senate Committee on
Military Affairs and the War Council.
The gathering was the first OF a
series of projected similar meetings. 1t
is Mr.. Crowells hope that he will be
able to have the House Committee on
day each week for a considerable period
and that the Senate Military Commit
tee also will pay weekly visit for a
like Joint session.
At a meeting to-day. invitations for
which were extended in the name Of
Mo ajor-Cien. Feyton c. March. acting
Chief of Stan, the Senators, headed by
acting Chairman Hitchcock. arrived 1t
the War Depa rtment shortly before 4
o'clock. They listened for almost two
houfs TO tho fullest explanation OF war
pbANS VI tue SfeueTdi StAU Ms ueNeIOTeu
UP ID the moment and were shown maps
Of the American sector OF the h9hting
force with elaborate diagrams Of the
disposition of Gen. Pershing's army in
the field and In cantonments and billets
supply Problem Discussed.
The questions of supply transporta-
tion and distribution for the army were
discussed at great length and illustrated
by diagrams showing the exact dis
position and condition OF every allot-
Inent of every material in the United
States, in transit to France and already
there.
The Senators expressed qualification
at the complete frankness with which
the War Council laid It's cards upon
the table. There was no disposition to
conceal deficiencies. One Of the Senators
at the end Of the conference said:
ut was the most encouraging sign
Of all the way the War Council set
forth every fact and avoided even the
suggestion OF any concealment OF any
deficiencies. The diagrams disclosed the
sore spots and there was instantly pre-
sented an accurate statement Of the
causes for such deficiencies as seemed
to exist with an explanation OF what
was being done to eradicate them.
Naturally the subject matter dis
closed to us was OF a character which
could not be disclosed for publication
but the generalization is perfectly per-
missible. and I may say that the War
Departments action We regard as a
most healthy sign. The conferences are
| In the last degree desirable and their
continuance We hope will keep up to the
promise made to-day"
1t Is thought in Washington that the
sudden change in attitude Of the War
Department IL to be attributed to Mr..
Crowell. That official took no credit for
to-day's innovation. but it WAS at once
ascribed to him and as such much ap-
preciated by the Senators attending.
. The members Of the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs who stirred the War De-
partment to action and the country 10
an appreciation of the deficiencies and
inefficiencies OF the war administration
were the more gratified Of the Senatorial
group There was just a suggestion of
triumph in their attitude.
The War Department under Secretary
Baker regarded Senatorial inquisitive-
ness with resentment. Any expressed
desire for information az to conditions
was called extensively PARTISAN action.
The willingness evidenced to-day to put
the Senate IN touch with AFFAIRS In
France and italy IL accepted as direct
reversal of the Baker policy. and as
such 1t has been hailed with JOY