Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-01-26
that you are mistaken, Mr.. President, but ~we can't hel
admirins you for standing by Your guns. anyway"

further statement by Senator Chamberlain, who ad-
dressed the senate at length on the subject matter of
the controversy. rcpeating the criticisms which he had
made. and making what appeared to be a strong case
against the management of the war. Mr.. Chamberlain
has declared his intention to press his bill for the crea-
ton Of a small war cabinet or council whose business
it would be to take charge of the supply work Of tho
government generally, and to coordinate the work
which in the past has been distributed among many ou-
rcaus which have had little connection with each other.
X * X Il X X
A development which seems to have been entirely
unexpected came on Friday when Secretary Baker an
nounced the appointment of Edward r. Stettinius as
surveyor general of the army, with the explanation that
the new official would assume. charge Of the purchasing
for the five departments Of the army, ordnance. quarter
master, signal, engineering and medical. 1t was stated
further that Mr.. stettnius has since the beginning of
the war conducted the entire supply work for the Eu-
ropean allies on this side of the ocean.
X X X X X 4
This appointment is described in the dispatches as
the answer Of the administrat ton of the demand for a
superior war council or munitions board. Information
has not been vouchsafcd as to whether this step has
been in contemplation by the administration for some
time or is a direct result of the disclosures in the sew
cral Investigations Of supply work. Whatever may be
the fact with reference to this feature We may accept
the appointment and the general attitude of the prcsi-
dent as conclusive evidence of IA determination on the
part of the executive to ahdicatc none of the functions
which the constitution gives him, bit to conduct the
work and accept the responsibilities of the war in the
full exercise of all the authority which he has, unham-
pered by boards, bureaus or directors not of his own
choosing.
During all these discussions the personality of Theo-
dorc Roosevelt has doomed large before the American
people. In his numerous written articles Roosevelt has
been very free with his criticism of the manner, i'll
which the work of the war was being carried an. Sug-
ses,ions have come from various quarters that roosc-
welt should be made director Of munitions, and the sus-
scstion has appealed to very many who recall the
dynamic force with which TT. r. has handled every
job that he has undertaken. There has been a feeling
that il Roosevelt had hold of things they would go"
AS against this there has been the fear that if Toosc-
Welt were placed in q position of such responsibility nc
would provo turbulent and insubordinate, and that he
would bring about conditions under which the last state
Of the nation would be worse than the first. Whatever
the facts may be with reference to Roosevelt, the feel
ing in Washington seems to he that no war council bill
can be passed, at least at this time. and that an oppor-
tunity will be given to try out the coordination Of work
under the surveyor general before other steps are in
sisted OH in congress.
X * = x 4 4
In the war area there have been no major engage
mcnts. The only military move of importance was the
retirement of the Austrians northward along a consid-
cradle sector west of the Piavc river. The victory of
the French at Monte Tomba a few days earlier had rem
dcrcd the Austrian positions insecure, and a WITHDRAW wal
was quietly effected toward the mountains to the north.
This movement has confirmed the belief that the Aus
TRANS had given up all hope of a successful offensive
before spring. On the French front there has been heavy
artillery work along most of the line, with numerous
I,,.l, r[;~. 1901 1o.~. >f o,-t,,. to-. LA>. ;za:~~;a
cant, and no operations in force have been attempted.
The dispatches tell of a feeling Of tension along the en-
tire line due to the belief that the Germans are pre-
pairing for a smashing blow somewhere, and the two
t great armies have been feintins and lodging in order
to feel out each others strength before coming to grips
x 4 = 4 Il 4
The North Dakota legislature met according to call
on the c3rd. The third day had not elapsed before II
was concluded that the session could not be finished ir
the four days tentatively set at the beginning. The
message of the governor enumerated. as subjects or
which legislative action was needed. the eight or nint
which had previously been listed in the dispatches
/ Bills covering all these subjects were introduced a
s once. In one instance delay was. caused by the actio,
l. Of the house in passing a seed grain bill in such defec
s tive form that the senate could not make the necessar!
4 amendments in time to adjourn on Saturday night, ant
e in this as in some other matters there has been evidcnc,
of a desire on the part of certain league members t
make political medicine at the expense of the non-lcasu
: element.
It WAR DEPARTMENT CONTROVERSY.
We have had the investigation of war cepartmen
matters by the senate military committee, the genera
charge of inefficiency in the handling of various feature
OF work, the testimony of officials who defended them
selves against the charges, Secretary Bakers detaile
statement to the public, the address of Senator Chamber
F." lain. chairman OF the committee, in New York. the pre-.
=" ident's denunciation of that address as a distortion Of tn
N truth and his imputation Of improper motives to NJ
l. ~h,~...,,. -. =,