The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-01-23
CAPITAL CITY
IS INVADED
BY COLONEL!
Theodore Arrives to Speed
War Plans and Solons Sur
round Him.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.-Iell the
truth and speed up the war"
In these words former President
Roosevelt took a shot tonight at the
official camoufiage and complacency
with which the inefficiency OF the war
department was concealed until re-
yealed by the investigation of the sen.
ate committee ON military affairs.
The colonel arrived in Washington
this morning and within an hour was
receiving veritable horde Of senators,
representatives, and old time friends
in the administrative departments.
The residence of his daughter, Mrs.
Nicholas Longworth, was transformed
into a, headquarters for conferences
that lasted far into the night.
Mr. Roosevelt is in Washington to
do what he can toward helping the
movement to eradicate inefficiency and
confusion and put punch into the war
effort. Senator Stone and other de-
tractors are saying the colonel is here
to start his campaign for the presi-
dency in 1920. Those who talked with
Mr. Roosevelt today, however, are con-
vinced that politics is the farthest Of
all matters from his mind at this juno
ture. Col Roosevelt, in fact, came to
Washington at the invitation OF sew
eral senators and representatives who
desire his aid in further the movement
for universal military training.
Fears for Nations Safety.
Since he accepted that invitation.
however, crisis in the conduct Of the
war has arisen which Col. Roosevelt
deems exceedingly grave. He left no
doubt In the minds of his callers today
that he is alarmed by the menace to
the best interests. if not the safety. of
his country, which he believes inner
ent in the breakdown of war depart
ment machinery and the chaos exist
ing in the multitude of commissions,
councils, boards, and other bodies.
Il am here the former president
said, ito help every one who sincerely
desires to speed up and make efficient
our part in the war. I mean that in
both the affirmative and the negative
sense. I shall stand by the efficient
man and stand against the inefficient
man. There is DO man who is really
intelligently loyal to this county who
does not adopt both those attitudes.
'Our cooperation with our allies
should be made as effective as pos
sible at the earliest possible moment.
The national motto at this time should
be: Tell the truth and speed up the
war"
confers With Chamberlain.
Late in the afternoon Senator Cham
beriain, chairman OF the senate COM
mittee on military affairs. reached the
Longworth residence. and spent an
hour in conference with Col. Roose-
welt. The senator told the colonel Of
his decision to go the limit in the
effort to put through his war cabinet
bill. despite the opposition of President
Wilson.
Col Roosevelt listened to the SEN
ator's account OF the revelations of
inefficiency in the war department
and promised to aid Mr.. Chamberlain
in the fight to the full extent of his
power.
During the day the colonel conferred
also with Senators Wadsworth, Hale.
Johnson, and Curtis and Representa-
tives Lenroot, Madden. Kahn. CALI
van, and Baer.
Bigger Game Than Stone.
Mr., Roosevelt reserved comment
upon the existing war situation until
after further conferences tomorrow.
It is expected that he will deliver an
important message to the country in
speech before the members of the
National Press club on Thursday after
noon.
The colonel made it plain that If he
goes cunning for anyone it will be
for one he con siders more important
than Senator Stone. who assailed him
as a German agent and called for his
arrest in a speech in the senate yes
terday.