Evening journal., 1918-01-22
Wilson FIGHTS TO
Control CONGRESS
Bitter Political Battle Hinges
Around War Cabinet
Legislation
MAY AGREE ON
MUNITIONS DIRECTOR
BIZ L. c. MARTIN

IulIEu Press CAhu LUTTE VAlA-Ahs
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22.-President /
Wilson has begun the most spectacular /
nght Of the war for control Of Con-
gress. Battling against passage Of SEN |
ntor Chamberlains "war cabinet" bill
which would amount 10 Congress
sional recognition Of the administra-
tons alleged failure 10 conduct its war
plans properly-the President is faced
by almost solid Republican opposition
added 10 a few In his own party.
To add zest 10 the battle Colonel
Theodore Roosevelt arrived at 900 to-
day TO take up the cudgal for the Cham
berlain measure An editorial In the
morning papers under his signature,
preceded arrival Of his snow blocked
train. II conveyed his determination
to throw his influence against the
President.
It insisted upon passage Of the Cham
berlain bill, so that we may never
again be caught utterly and shamefully
unprepared.'
Al factors in the pending struggle
have gone before the people for sup
port.
President Wilson in a statement last
night declared the legislative measures
HIOpUetQ 10 NItel 4lNiA AAlil CIV ~
rotary Baker direct administration OF
the war work had not even been
brought to his attention in conference.
that they would progress rather than
hasten It and that Bakers plan OF re-
Organization was based on experience
and therefore better equipped Success
ful operation.
Senator Chamberlain in reply stated
today that he is willing to abide by the
expressed will OF the people.
IT'S their war he declared.
In the wake Of the bitter partisan
outbreak in the Senate yesterday, dur
ms which Senator stone sharply Grill
c.sed The Republicans for inlectinS poll
tics into their war work, and was
heatedly answered by senators Lodge
and Penrose for trying 10 stop crit-
c.sin OF the President party lines were
drawn taut todas
But a few Democrats are standing be-
hind Chamberlain in his conscientious
effort 10 improve what he believes 10
be a faulty situation In the War De
partment. These, with the virtual solid
Republican strength will make the
fght for control of The Senate-for or
against President Wilson-thc most
dramatic IN its history.
The battle Will open when the SEN
ate meets on Thursday. senator
Chamberlain will carry the issue TO op-
ponents Of the measure Immediately
by calling up the bill for second read
ing and reference to committee.
Administration forces are loaded FOR
Chamberlain. They will demand a roll
call on Senator Swanson's motion 10
refer the hill 20 the naval committee
he T.
tee. Swansons argument was that as
the proposed war cabinet would have
control Of naval as well as military
plans. the navy committee ought %
prosecute the bill.
Senators standing with the admins
tration against the bill made 10 secret
OF the fact that Swanson's move was
merely the first in a series designed TO
beat the bill
The rollcall on committee reference
will test Senate sentiment on the bill
Senator Chamberlain said today.
Already there is talk Of compromising
the nght by accepting the director OF
munitions, in return for the defeat Of
the war cabinet measure. The director
Of munitions would prove much less
Objectionable TO the administration be
cause he would have authority only
over DuIEndellA duu llNAANhANA Va sup
plies, Even that much upsettins b,
congress Of the present plans Of Oh,
War Department will not be accepted
however except to prevent enactment
OF the war cabinet bill.
Republicans today were planning
caucus to decide how they Will vote OF
the war cabinet and munitions direc
tor bills Democrats probably Wi
have a SIMILAR session. some legisla
tors saw the danger Of the majority
party being forced 10 accept one or bot.
bills purely from the standpoint Of 20
litical safety flrst."
The political fires are now ragins
senator Penrose has announced he vii
make a speech showing up Democratic
mistakes in the conduct Of the wal
other Republicans are considering lik
speeches
Tho partisan flames are likely e
spread 10 the House, many Of who's
members listened to Stone and Pen
rose
There was no denying the fact tina
in both houses politics is no longe
under control, but to stay until IN
election settles the rival claims, o
some one takes sharp steps.to check II