The Ocala banner., 1918-03-08
1T is THE CRITICS THAT HAVE
FALLEN DOWN

Is
of the presence of the distinguished
critic OF the Wilson administration.
and as he says in an impulsive mo-
ment" so far forgot himself as to say
that every bureau of every depart
ment of the government had fallen
down"
Notwithstanding his sweeping
charge, catching the eye of the ex-
president, he went a step further and
said that the entire administration
had ceased functioning."
1t was an awful indictment for a
member of the military affairs com.
mittee to have made. and we have
every reason to believe filled the
heart Of the German kaiser with re-
newed hope, ambition and animation
When called down by the president
in that direct, frank and manly man
ner which is so pleasing to the nation.
Senator Chamberlain in a speech in
the United States senate declared
that he did not mean that the govern
ment had fallen down in all of its de.
partments. That he had reference
mainly to the war department. and
attempted to show that he had basis
for his untimely and highly improper
utterance.
In a few days afterwards Senator
Chamberlain had the opportunity to
prove his assertions when the secre-
tary of war was called before the sen
ate committee on military affairs OF
which the senator is the chairman.
He was possessed with the idea
that he had a soft snap. That the
secretary would easily be put to flight
and the country would az least 5e
shown that the war departmea. had
ceased "functioning
But. presto. change!
The country instantly awakened to
the fact that if there was one depart.
ment of the government more active
than anOther-that had commanding
figure at its head-that branch Of the
government was the war depart
ment
The country was thrilled and ami
mated as it has seldom been before
by the Illuminating statement Of Sec.
retary Baker
The verdict was universal thar Sec
rotary Bakers critics had fallen
down.
On the senate committee on mill.
tary affairs with Senator Chamberlain
is Senator Mcclellan Of Tennessee.
The senator had failed TO get some
cantonments and contracts for some
of his Tennessee constituents. and
was nor at all in a state Of good hu-
nor, and did what he could to pur lie
war department in very deep hole.
bat his failure was moss Iamentab,e
He found that instead Of having
ceased "functioning" It vas abou- the
livest thing in Washington
The senator's utterances were so
severe that many thought tha- he in,
cluded the president in his criticisms.
but in answer to some Of his newsDa-
per critics he goes on record as say.
ing
Il admire and esteem our great
president very much There IS no
man who could fill his position better
in this great crisis l doubt If anyone
could fill it nealry as we'll. It seems
proyidentiaI that we have as our pres
ident in this the greatest crisis OF the
worlds history a wonderfully able.
calm, vigorous. determined, splendid
man like Woodrow Wilson Ny oDin.
ion of him is upheld by the records
here which show that every war
measure that he has approved has re-
ceiyed my vote have never publicly
or privately criticised him. because I
believe he is entitled 10 praise and
support"
But the distinguished senator still!
withhOlds the full measure OF his
praise from the secretary of war. He
says, however. that he has no grudge
against Secretary Baker and that
since the senatorial Investigation
the war department is doing very
much better
Senator John Sharp Williams says
that those senator's who are endeavor-
ing to give Secretary Baker and Gen.
eral Pershing instructions how 10 con.
duct the war do not know as much
about war and how it ought 70 be emo
Quoted as he does. and he knows a0-
sOlutely nothing And that is about
the size OF it.
ryVs.