The sun., 1918-04-30
SENATE PASSES
OVERMAN BILL
BY SO MAJORITY
Vote Is 63 to 13 After Three
Months Fight on Giving
Vast Power to Wilson.
HOUSE TO ACT QUICKLY
Reorganization of Government
From Top to Bottom Will
Be Possible.
HOUSE TO ACT QUICKLY
Special DespafcA to Tar suN.

Special DespnfcA to Tar srS.
WASHINGTON. April 2s.-The Senate.
tv the convincing vote Of IS TO Is. .
Ut majority Of 50. passed the Overman
I'll to-day, granting to the President
,77er 10 reorganixe from top to bottom
1verrment without seeking from Con-
e. oss anything more than the apporpria-
,sNs Of money necessary to carry
t7"ough the work.
This marks the complete surrender Of
fhr opposition to what has been critl-
sed as the tendency Of the Executive
toward assuming. some OF Mr. wilson's
critics say Of ''usurping." the functions OF
the legislative branch Of the Government.
II also marks the contamination Of the
Presidents plan for putting through his
own measure, which while accomplish
ing the purposes Of the Chamberlain
bills for a war cabinet and q ministry
~ munitions would also signali1e the
defeat Of his opponents.
The actual vote on the Overman bill
was an anti-climax to the protracted
period Of consideration accorded the bill.
FOR the better part Of three months the
Overman bill had been before the Senate
either in the Committee on judiciary.
whence it was reported more than a
month ago. or as the unfinished business
% the Senate.
Throughout the debate demands Of the
opposition for details and explanations
az to what the President had in con-
temptation in the way Of exercise Of the
stupendous power which the measure
grants have been met with the state
ment: I'VE cannot tell you You will
lave to trust the President" Therefore
fo-eay's collapse Of the opposition Il ac-
cepted here as the hnality argument.
Follows Day of Debate.
The vote was cast at the end OF a day
81 debate. with only here and there a
bright spot. The opposition facing. as
they knew and understood. certain de-
feat in the final test OF strength were
d,sgusted and disappointed. The sup
porters OF the Administration had the
keen edge Of their triumph dulled by its
Very simplicity
lust before the final vote was to be
taken Senator Brandegee Comm in
j.cted into the discussion the one sparkle
OF humor which marked the days pro-
c~edings Seeing tho cause Of Congress
was lost in its mai clash with the Presi-
dent Senator Brandegee introduced the
following amendment. which he asked to
nave inserted AT the eHu OF Tue Dill. ~
read
"Any rower or powers Inadvertently
omitted from the foregoing act are here
~ granted"
Even the Administration Democrats
saw the humor OF the thrust and paid
Senator Brandegee the compliment Of
laughing heartily. while at tho same time
b. an overwhelming viva voce vote they
de'ea ed the amendment.
The Overman bills course through the
Senate has been marked by some OF the
most earnest opposition ever disclosed
in the consideration of a measure OF
such dominating importance. From the
beginning the bill was distasteful even
10 the leaders OF the Administration
party in the Senate. So objectionable
was the spirit OF the measure to Senator
Martin tNa.), floor leader Of the Demo-
Gratis. tina, the President did not even
compel him to introduce II. but rather
sent It TO the Senate through the less
high strung and more malIeable Over
man Of North Carolina.
Vast Powers Given to Wilson.
Under the bill "a passed to-day the
resident Is authorized:
To make such redistribution OF func-
tons among the executive agents as he
may deem necessary, including any
function, duties and powers hitherto by
law conferred upon any executive de-
partment. commission. bureau, agency,
Office or officer. in such manner as In his
Judgment shall seem bvst ftted to carry
out The purposes Of this a.ct. and to this
end il authorised to make such regula
lions and to issue such orders as he may
Deem necessary, which regulations and
orders shall be in writing and shall be
Med with the head Of the Department
Affected and constitute a public record.
Inc President In carrying out the
purposes Of the act IL further authorised
10 utilize. coordinate or consolidate any
executive or administrative commissions.
olreaus, agencies. officers or Offices now
existing by law. to transfer any duties
o. powers from one existing department.
e.tnmss!on. bureau. agency. office or
o'Heer TO another. to transfer the per-
pane thereof or any part Of 1t. either
oy detail or assignment. together with
we whole or any part OF the records and
p'eHc property belonging thereto"
40 such sweeping authority has ever
*ta granted heretofore by Congress
s authority will terminate elk months
r'er the war.
Alttough the Senate Ia yet to be in
,o'ned concerning the Intentions OF the
resident in the use he will make Of the
aan,es'rl'ted powers which the Overman
w. grants him. II IL known outside Of
confessional circles that one OF the
|. ~ acts OF the Executive. once the bill
=, ones 'aw. will he the amplifcation Of
authority and functions OF the War
.n''rl"' Board. This the Preslden'
wy uaI m mind for some time
Us iuder this head that many Of the
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