Evening star., 1918-01-23
May Refer to Naval Committee.

may he1er TO NaVal Comm1ttee.
It was suggested today. therefore.
| that this plan would be abandoned and
that Senator Swanson, who raised the
Senator Chamberlain Monday. would
seek to have the bill referred to the
naval affairs committee after it has
| first been considered by the military
committee.
Senator Swanson recently by a vote
of the Senate had a bill relating to
the naval oil reserves in the public
domain referred to the naval affairs
committee instead Of to the public
the naval affairs committee was
4r5Aadly to the measure. while the
public lands committee was not.
Now he is seeking to have the war
cabinet bill referred to the naval af-
fairs committee. which is understood to
be unfriendly to it.
Incidentally Senator Thomas of Colo
RADIO and Senator Myers of Montana,
both democratic members of the Senate
military affairs committee who are ex-
pected to vote against the war cabinet
bill are members of the public lands
committee. and they, with other soma
tors who oppose the measure. are like
ly to vote for the reference of the bill
to the military affairs committee.
Would Not Be Fair Test.
A vote on the reference, therefore,
woulh not be a fair test of strength in
the Senate on the merits of the bill
Senator Swanson said today that as
the war cabinet bill had been framed
by the Senate military affairs commit
tee and introduced by the chairman of
that committee, it should be referred to
that committee first
after it has been considered by the
military affairs committee as it af-
fects the Navy. it should then be con-
sidered by the naval affairs committee"
he said. He indicated he would move
to have it referred to the naval COM
mttee after it is reported to the Senate
by the military affairs committee
THE Navy has proved very efficient
and the country is pSoud of the Navy"
| continued Senator Swanson. land now
it is proposed to change the whole
tainly the naval affairs committee
| should be given an opportunity of con-
sidering such legislation
| Senator Swanson said he would op-
rector of munitions bills
When the Test Will Come.
! If Senator Chamberlain immediate,v
! reports the war cabinet bill back to
| the Senate from the military affairs
committee. as he already has been an
| thorized to do. Senator Swanson will
moye Immediately to refer it to the
/ naval affairs committee. On such a
motion real test of the strength of
| the bill may be had.
Plan to Open Senate F:saa...
| The members of the Senate military
affairs committee favoring the war cab
met and director of munitions bill to-
| day are planning to open the fight for
| these measures on the floor of the SEN
ate tomorrow. when the war cabinet
bill comes up for reference to commit
| tee. They will reply to the statement
of the President that the record of the
| War Department had been one of
great accomplishment. They are plan
ming to elaborate on the deficiencies in
| providing Army supplies and equip
ment disclosed in the committees war
| inquiry.
Yesterday the committee decided to
| resume it's investigation next Saturda v
and requested Surgeon General Gorgas
| to testify regarding cantonment sani
tary conditions. The record of the in
pleted today so that it might be sun
| piled to senators in time for tomorrow,s
| debate.
| Senator Chamberlain included i, tho
record statement furnished by the
War Department showing shortages of
equipment of National Guard ana NJ
tional Army cantonments on Januarv
IL. On that date the overcoat shortags
was over In all camps and the nrin
cipal deficiencies In most of the camns
were of minor clothing items. but
Camp Lee. va. showed large short
age of woolen coats. Camp Funston
Kan, so per cent in blankets, and Cam
| Funston. Kan, and Camp Sewer a
reported shortages of SIS and so ner
cent, respectively, in wooden breeci1es
and coats.
! Secretary Bakers Retractions.
| Secretary Baker submitted with his
report letters retracting certain state-
meuts made to the committee some tim.