Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-05-16
MODIFY AIRCRAFT RESOLUTION ID
 SUIT PRESIDENT
Wilson Regards Chamber lain Measure as Attempt
 to Belittle Administration

Washington, May 15.-Following receipt today by Senator Martin of Virginia of a letter from President Wilson declaring that the president would regard passage of the Cham berlain resolution, calling for an in vestigation of aircraft and other war activities as "direct vote of want of confidence in the administration" the senate expenditures committee, by vote of three to two, ordered a favorable report, but added amend ments modifying it so that as to linn it specifically the military commit A provision was added expressly pro- hibiting the committee from general inquiry into the conduct of the war.
 Senators McKeller of Tennessee, Democrat and Shoot. of Utah, and France of Maryland, Republicans, joined in ordering the modified res olution reported. Senators Thompson of Kansas, chairman and James of New Mexico. opposed reporting the resolution.
 Object of Resolution.
 Objection to the wording of the res olution was made yesterday by sev- eral adrllnistration senators and also by Senator Thompson Kansas, chair man of the senate expense committee. to which it vas referred and who conferred with the president late yes terday. Senator Thompsonha sinsist- ed and members of tho senate mil- tary committee have agreed to redraft the resolution to authorize the com. mittee to inquire merely in+o army ac- tivities and not into general conduct of the war or military strategy.
 The expenditures committee met to- day to redraft tho resolution. Sena- tor Chamberlain and others of the military cor.r.ittee have declared scope of the resolution to army oper- e-atiorS, and have disclaimed any in tention of planni,2:s any general in quiry into the conduct of the war.
 Only Probes Planned.
 The only investigation nlanned by the committee which met today to ap point subcolamittces to take charge are in aviation, aircraft, patent licens- ing, ordnance production and the quarterrlcster generals bureau. It has been reported that soce senators Ia vor restricting the committees in qEiry to aviation alone. The whole scope of the committees inquiry was awaiting consideration when the sen ate convened today, upon report by the expenditures committee of the re- versed Chamberlain resolution.
 The subcommittee which will ln- vestigate ordnance production left to- dcy, accompanied by Assistant Secre- tary of War Stettinius and Major Gen. eral Williams. acting chief of ord noncc, to insncct the Bethlehem and Nidvale ordnance plants. The sub committee comprised Senator Hitch cock of Neorask:i, chairman, and Sen ators F'letcier of Florida, Beckham of Kentucky. Weeks of Massachusetts and Wadswortil of New York.
 Presidents Letter.
 "I deeLl it my duty to say, the presidents letter states, that l should regard the passage of this resolution as a direct vote of want of confidence in the administration. The purpose it undoubtedly expresses has been expressed again and again ill various forms during the present session, and has always, seemed to originate in a rooted distrust of those who are at present in charge of the executive functions of the government. Those executive furctiCns are very clearly understood. They have been defined both by the constitution and by long experience, and no one can doubt where the responsibility for them lies or what the methods are by which those who are responsible can Dc held to their duty.
 "Such activities on the rart of particular committee of the senate as