The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-07
President Wilson Asks Power
To Reorganize War Dept
Seeks Unparalleled Powers To
Coordinate War Efforts.
WANTS TO SLASH RED TAPE
Report Agreement With Allies
for Transport Tonnage.
Executive Session Today To
Hear Bakers Statement.

Washington, Feb. 7.-Shocked by
Germany's dramatic strike at Amer
ica's transport lines, the war govern
ment today gathered itself for the
greatest effort it has thrown into the
war.
Congress had before it President
Wilson's request for unprecedented
legislation giving him unparalleled
powers for re-organizing and CO.
ordinating the entire government war
work.
The shipping board announced for
nation of an inter-allied transporta-
ton committee to allocate tonnage
and speed up shipment of troops and
supplies to France.
New War Credit Issue.
Secretary McAdoo offered an issue
of s500,000.0o0 in Indebtedness cer-
tificates bearing four per cent interest
the second issue heralding the
launching of the third liberty loan.
which will be soon. Additional issues
of $500,000,00O will be issued every
two weeks until the next loan.
The war and shipping boards were
considering plan to restrict imports
| and increase service of neutral ships
in transatlantic trade.
The shipping board put it squarely
! up to labor to make the shipbuilding
| program success.
Houses for Ship Builders.
Administration influence was thrown
| behind the housing bill before con-
gress in belief that the fate of the
| shipping program now depends large
| ly upon homes for the workers.
president Wilson apparently is de-
termined to slash red tape mercilessly.
| In his request for legislation which
virtually would empower him to
! break the fetters of peace time laws.
| reorganize the government and create
| or disband bureaus and commissions,
| as he sees fit, is seen move to stop
competitive buying between the army
and navy empower the war industries
board to enforce it's rulings now
merely advisory, and coordinate vari-
GUS departments now working at cross
purposes or duplicating efforts.
Probe Holds Executive Session.
And behind the scenes of tremend-
| Gus war activity the senate military
committee went into executive session
| with Secretary of War Baker and
army officers to satisfy their craving
| for knowledge of the scope of the
| work under way.
| Critics of the war department, who
| have crystallized the remedies into the
munitions director and war cabinet
| bills. declared that the presidents ac-
ton was at least partial vindication
for them. They say it is an admission
| by the chief executive that shakeup
up is needed
| Opposition to Wilson Plan
| I'VE seek by mandatory legislation
to effect the reorganization the pres
| ident has in mind said one of them,
| while the president seeks to do it
| thru permissive legislation
/ ''The president wants to re-organ~
| ize the whole government" said Sem
ator Hitchcock. 1.-The military affairs
committee does not propose to go that
far
| I'VE will continue our fight for the
Cham berlain bills because we believe
the reorganization and centralizat ton
necessary can be accomplished with
out granting the president such broad
powers as he asks
| That the measure will meet the
most stubborn opposition from the
minority side of the house was ad-
i mitted. These opponents, it was pre-
dicted, would gather strength from
among the Democrats.
An element in congress which
sprang up when the senate gnashed
its teeth in vain over the Garfield fuel
order is strongly opposed to granting
any further general powers to the
president.
The war department fights bota
houses of congress-
In the senate, Senotor Shields att
tackled the constitutionality of the war
cabinet and the munitions director
| bills. He charged they encroached
upon powers given the executive de-
partment by the constitution.