New-York tribune., 1918-05-15
rJnamended Measure Goes
TO Executive After Long
Fight in Congress
Wide Powers Are
Granted President
Gillett Opposes 1t, but War
Plea Wins Almost Unani-
nous Support

orpsnize government departments and
agencies, ended late to-day with pas
sage of the measure unamended by
the House. 1t now goes to President
wilson for his signature.
The vote was 295 to 2, Representa-
tive Sterling, of Illinois, and Gillett, OF
Massachusetts,, both Republicans, cast
inc the only negative votes.
What opposition there was in the
House when the bill came from the
Senate began to crumble yesterday, and
to-day it hardly was in evidence. Sew
ersl amendments to limit the powers
sroposed for the President were voted
down with little debate.
A proposal to exempt the Interstate
Commerce Commission, offered by Rep
resentative Walsh, of Massachusetts,,
Republican, was defeated, 213 to 81,
and one by Representative Longworth,
Of Ohio, Republican, to exempt the War
Finance Corporation and the. Capital Is
sues Committee, was rejected, 100 to 81.
Not to Curb l. C. G..
representatives Moore, OF Pcnnsyl-
vania, and Towner, of Iowa. Republi-
cans. sought vainly to insert an amend
ment to require the President to re-
port to Congress on changes in depart
ment, while Representative Gould, of
New York, Republican, wanted to amend
the section authorizing the President
to establish an executive agency to
have jurisdiction over the aircraft pro-
duction, so as to make compulsory the
establishment of separate aircraft
department.
representative Webb, chairman of
the judiciary Committee, announced
that President Wilson informed him
that he had no idea of using his pow
crs to reduce the functions of the In
that connection, however, he said the
Prsfdent called attention to the large
number of experts employed in the In
terstate Commerce Commission, and ex-
pressed the hope that he would be
given authority to transfer some of
them to the railroad administration or
TO other departments where their ex-
perience would be of great value. A
similar transfer of experienced men in
the Federal Reserve Board, Mr.. Webb
said, would aid the War Finance Cor
poration.
Representative Fordney, of Michigan,
Republican. told the House he had made
up his mind to vote against the meas
ure, but had changed his mind to-day
after talking to an army officer.
Former Speaker Cannon came to the
support of the Administration in de-
bate on the bill. Representative Gillett,
Of Massachusetts,, Republican leader,
LED the fight against the bill.
Says Congress Yields Power
Both Democrats and Republicans,
Mr.. Cannon said, would continue to
support the President in the war until
victory was won.
Representative Gillett said the bill
proposes to abrogate the powers of
congress and give them over to the
President. No suggestion has been
made by the Administration as to what
II hopes to accomplish under the bill,
he said
Under the bill the President could
transfer the powers of the Civil Ser
vice Commission to the Postmaster
General or the functions of the Con-
troiler of the Treasury could be given
over to the Secretary of the Treasury,
he asserted.
"The question is." he said. "will Con-
the Constitution NJ and "S deleeate ta'ed thoss ps
powers to the President Will we
.'!el exercise the functions given to us. or
VIII we give them up?
we are here, not simply to be rub
YET stamps and give everything that is
asked, but we are here to use our
Judgment in passing on legislation"
Bill Called War Need
representative Sherley, of Kentucky,
ssid that If time were not the important
element in war he would be in sym-
pathy with all of the sentiments ex-
pressed by MIR. Gillett, but that in time
portant.
Representative Longworth, of Ohio,
nnepublican, declared the bill gives the
clesident the authority to restore to
Secretary McAdoo ali of the powers
proposed for him in the original draft
ine War Finance Corporation bill. He
IIe he objected to the manner in
naich the bill was brought to the
saitoi. referring to Postmaster Cen
bills" N" 90 VIC pu''eSoi oi
ar. Longworth said the bill probably
4 ss drafted by clerk. and that after
s.a.ived = aeceived the sanction of the Admins
~ ason cn as war measure it was sent
20 Congress.
Proposed Changes Not Indicated
Just sost what changes under the law are
yWvnntemplated Wn never has been indicated.
nn nnhen the President asked Senator
wserman to introduce the bill he
merely said he needed authority to CO.
Ssainate the activities Of various
Sssnches of the government in the
n.0secution of the war, and during all
I've long debate that preceded action
y tne Senate virtually no further in
vsrmation developed.
mere has been a general under
sssss;ndlng, however, that among other
sa.nes various functions now per-
svsmed by the departments will be
sLsnsierred to the War Trade Board,
War Industries Board and other
r..s as agencies. Reorganization of the
sarssrmaster's department and of the
s9s ss9snet Corps of the army is step
s,h s,n,eh Is said to have been contem-
gssted under the law, but which was
- sen without waiting for Congress to
hen the bill was introduced. soon
~.ses the President had signified his
Ros'tfon to the War Cabinet and
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