Evening journal., 1918-01-23
WlR CABINET BILL
DRAWS SENATE FIRE
Both Sides Line Up for Sharp
SkirmiSh Over Proposed
Legislation
SOME DEMOCRATS
WILL GIVE SUPPORT
BY L. c. MARTIN,
ted Press STAN Correspondent

lash that without harmony the war
will be lost" Democ. attic leaders are
whipping into line party legislators
wavering on the Chamberlain "wai
cabinet bll."
Today it appeared likely that the
storm which has broken between the
White House and Congress on the
measure may be tempered with COM
promise There was even talk OF
get together meeting shortly be-
tween the p esldent and Chamberlain
The telling argument advanced by
/ the Democrats Is that a bill, as repug-
nant as this one is TO the admhhstra
/ ton, would, If passed hamper war ef-
/ forts. even though an efficient meas
| ure itself.
Meantime however. Chamberlain IS
/ prepared for a real fght
Backed by letters Of soldiers moth
| ers and fathers anent camp conditions 4;
armed with data on what was regarded
ss misleading in the Senate testimony
NJ Secretary Of War Baker, Chamber
/ lain proposed TO 90 ahead with his war
/ cabinet bill end his compulsory train
ing law. Popular support OF these
measures grew, despite the administra-
3 uOn's very strenuous efforts 10 XIII
them. particularly tho war cabinet Dill
The fight will develop In earnest to-
morrow over reference ~ the war cabi-
net bill 90 committee Senator swan
son. for tho administration, will try to
have 10 sent back TO both the military
and naval committees We're it sent
back 70 the military committee alone
action on it would be favorable. WIN
the double reference, il would De
caught in the jam, hence II swanson
wins. the bill may die.
Swanson's move TO refer 70 will be the
signal for Chamberlain 90 go over ihe
tor. lie has his bayonets ready, and
me proposes to submit data tending t.
prove that the President has been mis-
lei into thinking war conditions are
better than they really are
He also will submit evidence In an
effort to prove that Secretary Baker
Incorrectly testified before the mill
iary committee as 10 camp clothine
shortages The committee probe testi-
mony will be on every Senator's desk
as supporting evidence of Chamber
lain's charges and as reasons for sup
port Of his bill.
Chamberlain plans 20 submit proof
that the War Department as at pres
ent organized, h1s f,iled Co meet th'
situation. The supporters argue thl:
Is the same reason they are advocat
ing q change that viii coordinate ant
centialize authority and provide lesa
sutnority 10 get things done IN tn
place of volunteer advice and sugges
ton.
p The administration forces will la
7 emphasis on harmony. and on the fac
e that the war cabinet as proposed, woul
e have direction Of naval policies. The
D will argue that the navy has prove
p Itself critic proof and hence should no
be meddled with In this they will b
8 supported by some Republican Sena
}. tors.
r This point is likely to cause The de
{ feat OF the war cabinet measure IN ih
a Senate where it will take all the Re
S publicans, plus five or six Democrat
to pass it.
some Democrats who are for th
measure include Chamberlain. Hitch
cock Mcclellan, Hardwick. Gore an
= Reed. Senator Kine, Utah, looked n
r as likely TO support A. is non-con
c initial.
Il Senator Johnson. Calf, Is one Of m
d few Senator's who think the war cab
= net bill stands a chance OF passage. II
e Will vote for It, Senator Boreh, ais
k o strong advocate Of 10. believes
would be rendered non-enectivc by a,
IS minlstratiOn opposition even were
IT passed over the Presidents veto. Thi
Al the President would veto if 70 passC
" Congress, is considered certain an
l. even ITS most optimistic friends agr'
that it could not be passed over O
veto.
D. The vote tomorrow on commits
a reference is expected 20 be a test pra
ar tically determining the fate Of the hi
/ ignoring the Presidents EXPRESS
s. di-approval Of the military investig
le tion, Chamberlain has called surge,
r General Gorgas. and from his lest.moI
'e he expects TO gather fresh evidence
TX the need for better organization.
* Commenting on the Presidents char
pc that the military inquiry had call
ln from their duties officials engaged
W vital tasks, Chamberlain pointed O
Sc that General Crozier and Gener
Is Sharpe both had been relieved Of the
bureau jobs before iesiifying and III
I'd become members Of the department
rs war council
Secretary Baker WAS the only one ca
ed away from HIS duties. Chamberla
said. and Baker lost comparatively
ce tie time.
\, Chamberlain is preparing to brins
-. his universal military training bi
he which he discussed Yesterday
~ Republicans and Democrats in bo
5s Houses will caucus today 10 consid
e6 their action on the Chamberlain bil