Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1918-01-14
Senators TO flush
NUNITIOI HEAD BILL
May ] lin Chamberlain in
Han, Despite Bakers
Opposition
OBJECTIONS TO
RED TAPE PROGRAM

WASHINGTON. Jan. ID Despite the
EXPIRE sed opposition OF Secretary Of
War Baker to the Chamberlain bill, pro-
vidlng for a Ministry OF Munitions and
the implied disapproval Of that measure
by the President. the bin Will be pushed
by majority Of the committee, includ-
ms the author OF the measure, who is
Democrat Some members OF the com
mittee do not hesitate to say they have
no faith in the reorganization scheme
for the War Department.
Many persons in Washington hold
the opinion that the plan which Score
tary Baker outlined was. to a large
extent. formulated after the committee
started TO uncover instances OF inefflcl-
ency and delay In the handling OF the
war
No one has sccused the Secretary OF
War Of clubbing or attempting 20 hold
back information under examination.
but some committee members feel
there was grave mistake in permitting
his preliminary statement to 20 before
the country unscrutinized II was not
until the day after Bakers appearance
before the committee that the members
realized he had spread a bright picture
Of war accomplishments before the
country, tints Of which, they say. are
OF such brilliant hue as TO cast into the
background the shadows Of doubt.
II is frankly admitted that this state
ment may convince the country that the
Chamberlain bin is unnecessary and
that no further legislation is need to
push progress Of the war.
This statement and the opposition Of /
tho Secretary Of War to the Chamber /
lam bill are correlated In the minds Of /
the committee members. They assert |
that reorganization Of the War Depart
ment has not been thoroughly done. be-
cau-e IL does not centralize the business
Of procuring and distributing supplies
Most Of the members think this re-
sponsibllty should be placed upon one
nan. Therefore they favor a minister
Of munitions.
Baker does not favor such a post, and
puts forward his plan as a solution OF
he difficulties and as an answer to both
he demand for central authority and
increased efficiency. His statement Is
AIKEN as a brief for his plan and the
hypothesis upon which he bases his
opposition 10 a change. AS he said
III the country is treasured
" my statement, u Is entitled 10 that
and II it is found no more
eglslatlon Is needed we should consider
ourselves fortunate"
According TO the Views OF some Re
Of the committee, Secretary
baker himself advanced a strong argu-
nont IN support Of the Chamberlain
IN They point out that he has erected I
cumbersome structure by which sup
lies viii be purchased by four or five Z
not operating under one {
cad
It is such a system. they say. which Z
as caused confusion and delays and en-
endered doubt and susp,cion II Is {
ot their idea that a superhuman task
hOuld be placed upon one man. but
hey do believe a central authority s
hould be established TO settle disputes Z
nd manage complicated affairs in an s
or when the bureaucratic q
ystem would become topheavy or en- $
lared In red tape. \
Another serious objection, which 7
ommittee members voice to the new !,
rider. IS the retention OF military men q
] the purely bu-iness branches OF the u
srvlce They do not think officers Il
lould handle the purchase Of supplies, Q
range contracts and credits and per- a
)rm functions entailing the expenditure
Z vast sums and requiring an intimate c
nd experienced knowledge Of business d
nd business sagacity. 4
This work should be handled by civ o
ians, they say, men skilled in barter {,
nd trade and the political economy Of C
10 times: keen-witted men Of affairs +,
, bring to the Government their years v
Z experience In the world markets and G.
fth technical skill Sufficient TO suaran- II
,e full value at a minimum OF expense v
Military men cannot do these things, e.
is commended, because they have
ever been so trained. and also because. p
nder the rule Of military caste, only q
lose Of the highest rank who, by their d
alton. must answer only to the SUI a
RENE authority, could feel free to exer-
Sc individual initiative and Judgment .
D strongly do several Senators feel
lat It Is anticipated legislation will be Y
repaired providing that officers be re-
ricted to military duty.
Senator Chamberlain plans TO take up
he Surgeon-Generals Department and
le aircraft division later when the
embers Of the committee are less 4,
cary Of the probe. 81
a.