The Washington herald., 1918-05-16

FORMER Representative Dave MERCER
tells a story which is of interest just
now because it refers to the late
James Gordon Bennett. whose death
has just been announced.
Years ago Mr.. Bennett was calling
at Constantinople on his way to
Egypt. The Sultan heard he was
there and wanting to send important
word to the Khedive. and having no
one in his empire whom he could
trust with the message he called for
Mr.. Bennett to convey it for him.
Mr.. Bennett was invited to the palace
and made most welcome. He agreed
to perform the service for the Sultan,
and immensely delighted that digni-
tary. of course, when he gave his
word that he would do so.
Before Mr.. Benefits yacht sailed
away messengers came from the
palace and presented Mr. Bennett with
ring of plain gold texture on the
inside of which were engraved
numerous hieroglyphics. An investiga-
ton proved that this ring would make
the New York Herald man safe in
any Mussleman country in which he
chose to travel and under no cir
81 iohk dS "oiF lllV
ring could he be harmed by the
Sultan's subjects.
Mr.. Creels statement about "slum-
ing" of course is no more ridiculous
than other statements the same
gentleman has made. But why
should the members of Congress
worry about what Mr.. Creel says or
thinks.
1t makes no difference at all. Mr..
Creel is admittedly not a spokes-
man of the administration, and is
not the head of any agency that
may be said to be so thoroughly i'm
pressed into our government that
its services could i'll be dispensed
with.
The action of the President in IN
dicating desire to suppress the
too ardent investigation of the war
situation by the Senate Military
Committee is no surprise 1t mere
ly follows in line with the thought
that all investigation of admins
trative sections of our government
is to be conducted by the adminis-
trative department itself-the same
power that does things to have the
power to see whether it does those
things right. There are many mem
bers of Congress who do not agree
entirely with this doctrine who will
acquiesce in it. There are many
others who will agree to it, just
now, who think that the airplane
program has not been put through h
as it should have been. In the end
Congress will probably readjust it.
self readily to this way of think
ing-and of doing. and In the end
no ostensible harm will result.
The Republicans however, may
find ground here to make uD a DO
litical program. There are bases
here for something not found in the
other phases of the conduct of our
war. and the party not now in pow
er may find il possible-with some
encouragement from the outside
to outline a political contest, with
some hope that the battle will not
be as unequal as it would be II the
Republicans choes to oppose some
particular tactical phase Of the
wars conduct. Secretary Baker
letter. rather different in tone than
that of the President. could very
well be used by the Republicans as
an argument against the President s
stand, SO some of the members
openly stated yesterday.
Assistant Secretary of War Stet-
tinius heading the War Department
section of the inspection party,
which went to Pennsylvania yester-
day. and Senator Hitchcock, head
of the Senate section of the party,
agreed before their start that the
trip would probably he monu-
mental affair. and that much gen
eral good would come from it. The
members of both sections, of course.
are anxious to see America do her
utmost-and they are convinced that
we must go still stronger than we
have been in order to keep alive
the spirit of our allies, and in order
to convince our allies that we are
intensely in this great affair.
The situation in the Audit Com
mittee of the Senate is amusing. and
likely will not result SO seriously
that any intra-party warfare will
be INDUCED in. That is the opinion
Of some of the members who talk
ed about it in light vein yesterday.
The chairman of the committee. Mr..
Thompson, of Kansas. Is very anx-
ious to come back to the Senate
and his fellow members are hope
full that "a Democrat will be sent
back, Of course. They do not blame
the Jayhawker for catering to the