Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-04-26
CHANGE IN OVERMAN
BILL IS APPROVED
WadsWorth Amendment Gets
Senate Vote; Aircraft Powers
With Executive Bureau.
DEBATE ON AiRSHIP WORK

Senator Wadsworth's amendment to the
overman bill. which proposes blanket au-
thor1ty for the President to reorganize gov
eminent agencies. to give the chief execu-
tive authority to name an aircraft admin
istrator and create an executive bureau,
was adopted by the Senate today by a
viva voce vote
This action was taken after Senator
Overman had announced to the Senate
that after examining the law under which
the airiraft board was established. he was
willing to accept the amendment
Discussion Of Expenditures.
Before this vote Senators Gailinger Of
New Hampshire and Smoot Of Utah di-
rected attention to official statements that
the 500 100000 appropriated for the avia-
ton program had been spent and S400, o00.-
600 additional asked. Se1ator Wads-
worth said he thought less than s300, O00.-
900 Of the $3.50, 1000 actually had been
spent. although the rest was obligated
under contracts not yet completed.
Senator Gallinger said he understood
the whole s64O.00o. 600 fund is exhaust
ed and Senator Smoot said the Secre-
tary of the Treasury also reported a
deficiency Of s200,0oO,o00 in asking for
further $200,000.Oo0.
Resuming general debate on the bill,
Senator Townsend of Michigan, repub-
ltcan, pointed out that the President
has never lacked power to remove in
competent officials, but has not seen
At to do it." Not until recently. said
Mr. Townsend, has the President seen
mt to appoint really big men,"
Claims Need of Coordination.
HE has not co-ordinated the depart
ments," said the Michigan member.
Something ought to be done to induce
him to act and 1t Is claimed this bill
will do that. But here we have the $780,
100000 housing bill. which proposes sep
aration instead Of coordination, while
the shipping board, because the Depart
ment Of Labor objects, has not spent
$50, 100000 appropriated several months
ago to meet housing emergency"
Would Give Ryan Full Power.
During the debate yesterday after
noon Senator Wadsworth of New York
offered an amendment authorizing the
President to appoint single executive
officer to control the aircraft program.
Under his proposal all appropriations
for aircraft production would be turn-
ed over to this officer. Senator Over
1
cept the amendment, which was ap-
proved by Senator Thomas of Colorado
and Senator Kirby of Arkansas, the
former declaring 1t was necessary to
clothe John D. Ryan. yesterday ap-
pointed director of aircraft production
for the War Department. with neces-
sary powers to make his work effective.
Expressing confidence in Mr.. Ryan's
ability. Senator Wadsworth also said
unless legal. control Is assured 1--WE will
| nf
work" Senator Overman said he was in
sympathy with the idea, but desired to
examine its relation. to past legisla-
ton regarding the aircraft program.
Attacks on the bill were made by
Senators Knox of Pennsylvania. Sher-
man of Illinois and Brandegee of Con-
necticut. republicans, while 1t was sup
ported by Senator Fall of New Mexico,
republican, and Senators Shafroth Of
Colorado, Kirby of Arkansas, Overman
Of North Carolina and other democrats.
Charging that Congress lacks cour-
age in opposing the President and Is IT.
self to blame for domination" by the
executive, Senator Brandegee said:
Declines to Be Poodle.
Il don't propose to be a senator like
little white poodle. running between
the Capitol and White House, carrying
ball in my mouth and obeying orders.
Not one-third Of the senators on the
democratic side believe in their hearts
that this is a good bill. but they will
vote !or II because they want to stand
in with the administration"
These democrats, Senator Brandeeee
said. fear that the President might say
to Chairman Vance Mccormick of the
democratic national committee:
don't like this man; send me up one
that will be cuckoo"
In conclusion. the Connecticut senator
deplored conduct like a lot Of little
trained dogs in dog show"
This sort Of thing makes me sick, and
won't vote for the bill in any form, )" he
said.
Square Pegs in Round Holes.
Referring to statement of Senator
Williams Of Mississippi. administration
leader. that all the bill enables the Presl-
dent to do is to "ht square and round
holes and pegs" Senator Cummins Of
Iowa said this argument was absurd
"Who has selected the pegs that are
filling the round and square holes?" he
asked. Congress has nothing to do with
it,"
Senator Sherman Of Illinois, republican,
gave satirical review of President Will
sons appointments which brought laugh
ter from senators and spectators.
Reverting to the subject of Square
pegs and round holes" Senator Sherman
referred to what he characterized as
the administration cribbage board"
and discussed list Of many prominent
officials including cabinet members In
appointing members of the shipping
board, the President, he said, had color
blindness that made a politician look
like a shfpbuilder." Chairman Hurley
and Charles PieZ. the Illinois senator
said. fitted into their holes" but Ray
mond Stevens of the board he added,
is its "vermiform appendix"
Lindley NJ Garrison, former Secretary
of War, said Senator Sherman, was "a
square peg in a square hole, but had
not been made to feel very comfort
able" OF Mr.. Garrison's successor
(Secretary Raker) he said.