Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-08
Coordination of Methods,
So Sadly Lacking In War
Department, Is Sought By
Chamberlain Committees
Bill.
BAKER AND DANIELS
WOULD LOSE POWERS

Washington, D. c., Jan. A de-
partment of munitions under new
cabinet head to be known as the Sec
rotary of munitions is proposed in a
bill introduced today by Chairman
Chamberlain of the senate military
committee as a result of its investi-
cation of war operations.
The new department would operate
during the war and for one year there
after. The bill has the backing Of
the senate committee and will be
pressed strongly. The new secre.
tary of munitions would have power
under the presidents direction to
control arms, ammunition, food, cloth
ing, equipment, transportation and
any other materials the president
shall designate as munitions Of war.
AFFECTS ARMY AND NAVY.
Government bureaus, agencies and
funds necessary to ammunitions ad-
ministration would be transferred
from the war and navy departments to
the new department, which contemp-
lates control of navy as we'll as army
supplies.
'The bin is intended to increase
and expedite the supply Of munitions
zone great trouble with the war estab-
Nshment as disclosed by the investi-
cation has been lack OF co-ordina-
ton and the seeming impossibility Of
getting rid of circuitous methods OF
doing business. Until there can be
coordination and methods more d.
rect the United States will be cropping
in the dark for many months before
we can place ourselves in proper
fighting trim.
TO CENTER RESPONSIBILITY.
This measure places all jurisdic-
ton over munitions of war which are
defined at length in the bill and CEN
tiers every responsibility in one per-
son known as the secretary of NUM-
lions, subject to the direction Of
course. of the president. It CO
ordinates all the bureaus, cuts red
tape, does away with the useless deci.
sions which had tended only to ham,
per direct action and gets to the heart
of the whole situation.
'I believe if congress can see its
wav to the enactment Of this measure
and the proper man is placed at the
head of the department Of munitions,
America will soon be occupying It's
proper place at the battle front. 1t
will be noted that the measure is only
in force during the continuance Of the
war which brings 1t into existence"
TO EXPEDITE INQUIRY.
The senate war inquiry was resumed
today under a speeding up" program
adopted yesterday in executive ses-
sion. Under the new arrangements
detailed examination Of witnesses will
be curtailed to a marked extent and
the general work of the investigation
will be expedited.
The inquiry again today was given
over to the testimony regarding cloth
ing contracts let by the supplies COM
mittee of the council Of national de-
Tense.
CONTRACTS TO Committeeman.
The supply committee of the advis-
DRY commission of the council of ma
tonal defense has directed the expen-
diture Of 100000 900 for clothing and
equipment for the army. OF this
amount $123,000,O 900 in contracts has
zone to firms in which members of the
supply committee have a business in
terest.
1t is pointed out in the statement
given by the supply committee in the
military affairs committee on demand
of Senator McKellar that most Of
these contracts were awarded before
the men interested in the contracting
firms became members of the supply
committee.
MORE FACTS DESIRED.
The statement tailed to supply the
Dorcentage Of the $S00,00OO00 that
has been awarded since the men with
business interests in contracting con-
Germs have become members of the
committee and the true percentage Of
their participation in awards Senator
Mcclellan will ask for this additional
Information.