The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-01-26
WAR CABINET CONTEST.
CHAMBERLAIN DETERMINED TO
CONTINUE FIGHT.
He Insists on Answering President
Although Senate Leaders Try tO
Dissuade Him From Policy OF Dis
ScNsiOn.

verSy between the administration and
members Of the senate military COM
mittee over proposals for war cabi-
net and director Of munitions will be
brought before the senate tomorrow
with prospects Of spirited discussion.
Senator Chamberlain plans to rise
to question Of personal privilege and
reply at length to President Wilson's
denunciation of the senator's recent
statement that every department OF
the government had broken down In
the war as Il distortion Of truth.
Several speeches on behalf of the ad-
ministratiou are also planned.
In series of conferences among
senate leaders today. plans of pro-
cedure In tho forthcoming contest
over the legislation which the presi-
dent opposes were crystalized. To-
night administration spokesmen ex-
pressed confidence that the military
committees bills would never be
brought to vote. 1t was agreed to-
day not to oppose Senator Chamber
lain's motion for reference to his COM
mittee Of the war cabinet bill After
ward. however, it is proposed to refer
the bill also to the naval affairs com
mittee for study regarding it's effects
upon the navy.
Democratic leader Martin conferred
during the day with leaders of both.
factions and also with several promi-
nent Republican senator's.
a futile effort was made to dissuade
Senator Chamberlain from making his
speech.
Beyond formal reference Of the war
cabinet bill to the committee no ac-
ton Is expected tomorrow and to
check discussion 1t is planned to ad
tjourn the senate at the close Of the
day until Monday.
The White House today gave ont
|1sl'is Ttelssvam received by-the pfgE
Fitzgerald, who was chairman of the
house appropriations committee:
Investigation during entire session
ending October 9th demonstrated won
dsrful results accomplished by War
Department under great difficulty
Opening paragraph Northclffe's book
on the war graphically pictures ac.
complishments. Officials desire and
should have encouragement and sym
pathy rather than be hampored by
constant nagging and criticism"
| Republicans OF the house i'm confer
ence tonight voted rs to 9 in favor OF
the creation of Il department. Of bu.
roau OF munitions and ordnance with
director appointed by the president
There was some discussion Of the
war council proposal but no ATTEMPT
was made to put the conference on
record in regard to 1t.
When the vote was announced the
| point OF no quorum was made and
the conference adjourned. leaving the
way open for another discussion OF
the subject when another meeting is
held. The resolution voted on was
introduced by Representative Gillett
OF Massachusetts, acting floor leader
as substitute for the Mccormick
Lenroot resolution considered last
week. 1t follows:
Whereas, in the conduct on tbe
existing war the Republican men,bere
OF the house of representatives have
taken the position that there should
he no parisanship. but that all
Americans should be united In the
support of the government in press-
ing the war TO successful conclusion
and IN voting ungrudgingly the ad
ministration all the resources and
powers to that end and will continue
so to do; and
whereas, the need Of q united
country demands that where condi-
"""' ""i"' causing unnecessary delay
vi waste que 10 the overlapping juris-
diction of the bureaus and denart.
"'e"'s OF ior other causes revealed by
congressional investigation. il is ,ho;r
patriotic duty to suggest remedies for
such conditions: therefore be il
Resolved that 1t is the sense of
thiS conference there should be Gro
ated department. or bureau OF mu-
niuons and ordnance. the director Of
which shall be appointed by the presi-
dent confirmed BY the senate. and he
Immediately responsible to the presi-
dent TO systcmatize the manufacture
nH