Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-02-04
SHIPPING PROGRAM
PROVES A FARCE
hitchcock Disputes Secretary Bakers
Statement That We Will Have Half
Million Men in France Early This
Ysa-caIIs Secretary Ignorant Of
Conditions and Wilson Ignorant OF
Facts.

er's recent statement that the United
States would have half million men
in France early this year were charac-
terized by Senator Hitchcock IN an ad-
dress to the senate today as "aoso-
lutely preposterous and conveying a
wrong impression as to what we can
do and are doing" ..
Supporting the bills for a war cabi-
net and a. munitions director, Senator
Hitchcock declared that Secretary
Baker was no doubt sincere but no
doubt was misled in regard to ships to
transport the men. !.
president Wilson himself does not
know the real situation" he said.
Administration leaders prepared to
reply TO Senator Hitchcock, whose
speech launched the debate which has
been impending since Secretary Baker
made his statement and President Will
son made known his opposition to the
military committees plans for reor-
ganizing the governments war ma
chinery.
Capitalization Imperative.
SConceding that much OF q big task
has been creditably done, tho Nebraska
senator insisted that centralized war
operations thru war cabinet and cen
tralized purchasing thru q munitions
director are imperative.
He asserts that Secretary Baker and
the president had tried to obtain this
object but the government system was
obsolete
Sharp criticism Of many government
war activities were made by the sena-
tor In Illustrating his object, but with
out attacking individuals.
: shipbuilding a Farce.
wonders that almost surpass belief'
have. occurred in the war department,
he asserted, and the ship building ne
described as farce and almost
crime.
He declared the transportation sys-
tenn was broken down and is almost
a total wreck" that the fuel admins
tration's orders have paralyzed war
work and that food distribution also
has been inefficient.
In fatty denying Secretary Bakers
statement that the government had a
plan for the war, the senator said the
committee was thunderstruck by tho
secretary's statements.
"Supplying million men for
France" he said, ut will require 5,0oo,-
600 tons Of shipping in constant use.
We all know the total tonnage now
available is not near that"
Can Find No War PIan.
Turning to Mr.. Bakers war plans,
he said
s"Secretary Baker says we have a
plan. / am sorry to disagree with him.
II there is one thing more conspicuous
by its absence 1t has been planning for
the future I do not deny that the
various departments have planned as
they could in advance, but VINO mas
prepared the master plan which will
larronize all the others? Nobody.
Nobody could"
Referring to the presidents opposi-
ton to the two committee billA the
senator said it was on the ground that
the president alone has responsibility
for the conduct Of the war. adding:
,"The mere statement presents an
absurdity."
Congress Shares Responsibility.
Asserting that congress has a large
measure OIL TcSpOuSIulllty, OeudlOT
Hitchcock said 1t would be "monstrous"
to hold the president responsible for
IL the &c :SS.eeeeSSHSS eeeeSS tons Of freight tied up in
New York. the muddle Of priority ship
ments, the tumble in the ordnance de-
partment, sufferings Of unnecessarily
sick soldiers and nine months delay
in the construction Of the government
powder factory.
The senator summarized the burdens
on the president. including the formu-
lating q foreign policy, debating the
political activities Of the country and
looking after the expenditure Of $780,.
100000 a week."
The president does not want the
committee to press the cabinet bill" he
said This attitude on the part Of the
president is unfortunate, but not alto
gether unnatural. In the first place,
the president belongs to the school Of
political philosophers who adhere to
4 the belief that all important legislation
originates with the executive. can
not subscribe TO this, altho it has some
advantages. =
Must Make an Exception.
"Since he became president Mr.. Will
son has enforced his view on congress
to i large degree and generally with
I. good results. In the main have sup
( porteA his policies and expect 70 do SO
N9 ~