Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-03-15
A NEW POLICY
War Dept. Inaugurates
Series of Conferences
Between War Council and Senate
Military Committee-SimiIar Meet
inss with House Military Commit
tee to Begin Friday

washington. March 1.-THE admins
tration formally embarked today or a
policy of taking Congress completely
into its confidence as to the progress IF
war preparations and developments on
the fighting front in Europe. Al the in
vitation of Acting Secretary Crowell.
members of the Senate military COM
mittee We're in session at the war de-
partment for nearly two hours with the
full membership of the war council.
and beginning next week will meet
with that body every Saturday morn
ing.
Members of the House committee will
meet with the Council tomorrow and Il
similar arrangement for weekly meet
ings will be made with that committee.
Probably large room will be obtain
ed later so that the committees Of both
houses may be received in joint ses-
sion.
Thus the war department meets the
iEsistent demand of Congress for geat-
er share in the conduct Of the war.
and removes the real cause which leu
to the Senate committees prolonged
investigation of the army and its at
tended criticism. 1t was pointed out 90
day that members of Congress now
would know first hand about current
developments, instead of getting liz.
formation months late through the ex-
animation of witnesses and could make
their criticism at a time when they
would count.
Movements for the creation OF q JOINT
congressional committee on the cCE-
duct of the war have been suppressed
by President Wilson's unalteraole OPP
position to interference with the paw
erS and duties entrusted to the eNecu-
tive by the Constitution. Through the
conferences now inaugurated, however.
il is suggested that the regular com
mittees acting in full harmony with the
executive officials will be able 70 ac-
complish all and probably more toW2rI
keeping Congress in touch with VIVA
is going on than would have been pos
sihle under the special committee pan.
Senator Hitchcock of Nebraska. VINO
has led in much of the Senate criticism
of the war department was ranking
Democratic member present today m
tho absence of Senator Chamberlain
of Oregon. the chairman. The confer
ence today was very SATISFACTORY saio
Senator Hitchcock. The department
has reduced everything 10 diagrams
showing the present status III eaoh
Branch and progress being made.
Senator Hitchcock added that all ques-
tons asked by the senators had peeh an
swered fully by the men VINO are III olrec,
charge of the work frankly disclosing
every element of the war work III WHICH
the department was behind schedule ana
the steps being taken to remedy the diin-
culty In some respects the senator SAID
notably in the aviation program, there
had been great delay and the war couh-
Gil had initiated an investigation 10 oe-
termine the cause. Another member OF
the committee said the aviation program
was "a per cent. behind schedule ana that
reports were bel e inquired
into.
Shipping tonnage available reported by
on the council OF the snip
ping board and also by Mai. Gen. Goeth-
ais in charge Of embarkation OF men
and supplies, shows an encouraging IN
crease. Senator Hitchcock said. More ton
mage is now available, the work OF ship
round trip to European ports is taking
shorter time.
The committee was shown a summary
of activities on all fronts in Europe,
prepared by the Army War College. a
member of which was present to explain
the movements noted. Cablegrams from
Gen Pershing received yesterday were
also read, showing activities on his front
and his supply and equipment needs.
Secretary CroWell explained that the de-
partment had determined it to be only
fair that Congress. through the military
should be advised every weeE
of the progress being made instead #
for the semi-annual hearings on
bills.
Army officers generally were delighted
to learn that out. of the storm Of criti-
cism in Congress against the department
has grown this new policy. They believe.
and members of the Senate committee
shared this view. that through the close
cooperation now forecast between the
executive and Legislative branches good
will come. with added speed in getting the
army to France
YTYTTYI