New-York tribune., 1918-01-21
Holds That Chamberlain
Proposal Would Hamper
Plans
Measure Comes Up
In the Senate To-day
President to Confer With
Members of Both Houses
This Week


morrow its bill for a war council of
.bree members under the President
Chairman Chamberlain has been di-
rocted TO introduce the measure. and
-sgotiations have bean begun to enlist
Administration support.
The bill Is framed by the committee
dssgnates the three men to be named
hy the President as "three distin-
,nished citizens Of demonstrated abil-
;,r" The phraseology apparently i'm
,osss Slight restriction upon the
residential choice in addition to the
ordinary one that the appointments
shall be made by and with the advice
and consent Of the Senate
The three members are to receive
$4,000 year each, and the life of
he War Cabinet is limited to six
months after the end of the war, or
asuch earlier date after the termina-
INN Of the war as the President may
designate
The functions Of the war cabinet as
outlined in the bll include the formu-
ls.ion OF war policies, supervision of
executive departm ents. officials and
agencies Of the government" and con-
s;eration and determination of ''all
Gserences and questions relating to
he conduc; and prosecution OF the war
hat may arise between any such de
partments, officials and agencies Of the
government.
While the President is represented
a. present as being opposed to the
legislation, the committee is hope
ful of ultimately gaining his ac-
ouiescance, al least with notifications
Of the present draft. If not, the COM
mitteemen apparently are determined
to fight for action anyhow, confident of
success. at least in the Senate, through
coalition Of Democrats and Republi
cans favoring drastic changes in con-
trol Of war activities. House Republic
cans will hold another conference
Wednesday night on the question.
The President. it was said tonight.
might take steps to defeat the bill.
Senator's Simmons and Martin were
summoned to the White House to-day
10 discuss pending legislation, but as
Senator Martin was out of the city
only Senator Simmons responded.
Wilson Still Opposed
The Senator refused to make public
he talk he had with the Pres dent. but
did say that he had found the Presi-
dent opposed to the creation of a war
cabinet. and that the President would
ask that the Chamberlain bin be de-
ieated.
The President is of the opinion. it is
understood, that the creation of d war
cabinet would interfere with the con-
duct Of the war, and that the best re-
suits can be obtained by leaving mat
ters in their present status. He is e,;-
pected TO talk to the leaders of both
houses during the week in an effort to
convince them that his view is correct.
Senator Chamberlain, who returned
from New York o-day, said he had not
wavered in his advocacy of the bill, and
that if the President opposed the meas
ure he "had not heard Of it,
u hope that he will not oppose it,
the Senator added.
This last duty may be undertaken
upon its own motion or when the ques
Ton or difference is submitted to the
War Cabinet, and in any case its ad
udicaton is subject to review by the
President. Subject to the same review
such orders and decisions to the gov
ernmental agencies named as may be
necessary
May Demand Information
Il is to obtain information from and
-lllze the services OF executives of the
'ederal government and of the several
@les and territories whenever such
Iormatlon or service is necessary or
.ssplui IN the proper performance of
ne duties of said war cabinet"
is provided that officers shall be
gsigned to assist the war cabinet by
me Secretary OF the Navy and the Sec
'etary Of War, at the request Of the
war cabinet, and that also the Pres-
usnt may assign to duty with the war
@olhet such officers as it may desig-
maIe, VINO shall receive, unless other
.; use prescribed by law, such compensa-
.'on as the war cabinet shall deem Just
and reasonable"
rolltcal debate will cnlvcn proceed
Ss.ss in the Senate this week if Senator
lone lone carries out his intention of de-
pp'eflng tomorrow speech criticising
'Vpupucan leaders.
.INepuoilcan spokesmen arc preparing
sepNes, and f the Missouri Senator
n,aAeS MS attack the most spirited po-
M.'cai discussion Congress has seen
s,nce the United States went to war
may result
senator Stones address was to have
ro roeh made last Thursday. but was post
rsme9' ps and 1t is reported he has been
'seu 10 withhold il for the present at
least. N'N 80 ''
~ oommttees Of Congress are now at
r. .e he'ght of mid-session activity In
nn,sparlhs nas legislation, and little i'm
e,.l' vl'a''' business is on the calendar of
liner r House for action this week.
nv" ""'eiS are confcrring OH "speeding
nla programme to deal with the vast
''d,s p already in sight
.ba FeSsure first IS to be placed behind
Nv administration railroad legislation.
,sVsof General McAdoo will reappear
rn'ofro" before the Senate Interstate
hin byi'''nercc Committee in behalf of the
Ta, IL, ana probably later before the
eona,' s1v committee. Both bodies hope to
"'.'uac their hearings this week or
on ~ next week and begin work
,ro n. an'cndments. One change strongly
wo",,' sI,a' especially by Republicans,
,sy"iu unit government operation of
IT, VafrierS TO the period of the war.
s.;e "e Administration soldiers and
HoMn.1S clvll rights bill, passed by the
ahl.. hlaSe last September Will be favor
Jmj; reported tomorrow by Senate
sialss'afy sub committee and then CON
'cu oy the full committee.
-, Investigations Go On