The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-22

There is the inherent weakness. They
cannot act.
The war cabinet and the director
of munitions have distinct and positive
power. one maps the progress for
the future; tho other furnishes sup
plies fer the army. They constitute a
strong link in a chain which is never
stronger than its weakest link.
We substitute for voluntary bodies
a strong organization / regret that
the administration Is against the plan.
But I will proceed with the bills. I
feel u my duty as senator,
The people Of the country are en-
titled 10 be let into the confidence of
the senate military committee and the
necessary in order that the war prep
arations may he eo-ordinsted."
what Cham rimkn said.
The quoted excerpt from Senator
Chamb erlain'a speech that caused the
deepest resentment In administration
quarters was;
ct (the military policy OF the United
statce), has almost stopped function.
ing. my friends. why? Because of
inesTiciency In every bureau and every
department OF the government of the
United States
Today the administration leaders IN
the senate took their cues in short or
der and quickly the Chamberlain war
"a blnet bill. which WIS introduced by
the oregon senator shortly after
o'clock was laid on the table without
reference
when Senator Cham berlAin intro
duced tire measure. Immediately Sem
ator Lewis the Democrat whip, ieaped
to his feet
is thsre a demand FOR immediate
consideration" he asked, If so I de-
sire to object"
senator swanson, nnothsr strong ad-
n1tuistration leader and acting chair
man Of the naval affairs Committee,
protested Wis orously that IL reference
Of the bin was made. II should be re-
ferred back to his committee as well
as to The miU.nry affairs body
we are satisfied with tho navy or
ranization." he sa9d This bill will
throw lot Of rcd tape about It."
Martin and swanson Alert.
During this short Interchange Sem
ators Martin. Of Virginia. the Demo
cratic floor leader simmons. of North
Caroliua. an admlnistration Democrat.
and others talked very earnestly with
senator NICK ellar, OF Tennessee, a
Democrat, who heartily supports the
blI "a military affairs committee. In
another group were Senators Chamber
lain and WRdsw ortA. Republican mem
tee. ard Senator Lodge Senator
swanson hurried 90 this group and
.AlRed errphatically for several min
utes. There was great Democratic &C
tivttv on the nour.
Finally the bill was laid on tho
table without reference.
1T ia true mistakes have been made
Chairman Dent. OF the house military
a9airA COMMITTEES said. bat nobody
expected that there would he no mis-
takes The mistakes have been COM
rarstiveIy few and they have not been
Of major Importance. On the other
hand. 1the war department. has done
many things. many big things exceed
inulv we'll Hattie has been heard of
these things
When the military appropriation
measure is ready. / hope to point out
on the floor of the house what the
war department has done that II de-
Saving OF credit The balance Is all
on the right side and strongly 40.
speaks for war Department.
1T mas frequently been remarked
that the war department has done as
well rs the navy department IN war
prenaratteus In this connection Il ts
only fair TO point out that the navy has
}@aa than doubled -ttS establishment
whereas the war d.pa rtment has in
creased ne personnel fifteen times over.
THE biggest mistake we could make
now, in nay opinion. would be TO make
f. change in our agencies handling the
war preparation just when all plans
and nraiinninaries are being worked
INTO final shape The great program
is just formulating into an actuslity
That - why nm onnose1 TO the war
c. hinef, munitions ministry and such