Evening star., 1918-01-22
In the Discussion Stage.

In the Discussion Stage.
We have reached the controversial
stage in our war administration, doubt
less an inevitable Development. All Of
the other countries engaged in the great
conflict have come to this point of sharp
discussion and partisan and non-par-
tisan wrangling in the course of their
military management. 1t is not to be
expected that the United States will es-
cape this experience. There are three
angles Of interest in the present situa
ton, the break between the President
and Senator Chamberlain and the mill
tary affairs committee Of the Senate,
caused specifically by Senator Chamber
lain's broadside Of criticism in recent
luncheon speech, but marking broadly
o split between executive and Senate
over the proposed war council and di-
rector of munitions; the introduction of
partisanship in the Senate debates, ap-
parently against the wish Of everybody
save the speaker, and the Presidents op-
position to any interference whatever
by democrat or republican with his plans
for the handling of the war.
Personal and political animosities are
to be sincerely deplored at this time.
Partisanship and personalities will not
aid in the beating of Germany. They
will not inspire our armies in the field
or our workers at home. But happily
this phase viii pass. We have lived
under a severe strain for months, and
these exchanges are perhaps only vent
that will react benefcially, to make
everybody buckle down to harder work
: in spirit of unison and cooperation.
The question to be worked out i'm
mediately is the degree of sacrifice of
the powers of Congress and Of the peo-
plc that is essential to the most effective
conduct Of the war. Congress has
shown q disposition lately to criticise
the manner in which the war is being
conducted, the means Of administration,
the measures Of preparation, and bills
have been introduced designed to cor
rect what are conceived to be the faults
Of war administration. The President
believes that the immediate measures
of management are adequate. He op
poses the bills now pending, one pro-
vidingfof q war council Of three to have
supreme eharge-of course, under his
direction since this council will be Of
his appointment-and the other Great
ing the office Of director of munitions.
He declares that these measures are not
required since other measures Of reor-
ganization have meanwhile been
"thoughtfuny and maturely perfected"
rs the result of experience.
There should be a minimum of OBJ
stacle in the way Of war waging Con-
centrated authority is undoubtedly nee
essary. The President sees one way to
effect such q concentration, and some
members of Congress see another way.
There is surely a ground of compromise,
if compromise is necessary, to prevent
delaying discussion and hampering ILL
feeling and recrimination.
What everybody wants today is speed
in our preparations. We want the Army
moved to France, we want the ships pro-
vided to move them and the supplies for
them and our allies, we want the mills
to run at top speed in making muni-
tions, we want a proper distribution Of
the supplies and equipment, we want
the correction of sanitary evils in camps,
we want, in short, businesslike, un-
tagging, efficient pressing of our war
work in every detail to the end that
we may at the earliest possible hour and
with the greatest possible force strike
for victory in France.
Whatever means are adopted, what
ever methods are employed, whatever
agencies are utilized, whatever the titles
Of the men or boards or departments
that work to these ends, the people want
action, and if the Presidents plan or
the Congress plan or a merger of both
can best insure that action the demand
Of the people will be insistent that such
plan be followed. s....