The twice-a-week Twin Falls times. (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1916-1918, 1918-02-07
SUBSTITUTE BILL INTRODUC-
ED BY OVERMAN STIRS
FOES
Would Concentrate All
Power in President
Baker on Stand Yesterday but
Unable to Go Today Owing to
Extra Work Following Sinking
Of Tuscania- Wheeler Testifies.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7.-Reversing
ITS tactics the administration today
boldly took the offensive against its
critics in congress. 1t asked power
alleged to be more drastic than the
most extreme conception OF the SEN
ators who have been clamoring for
reconstruction of the war making ma
chine to bring about higher efficiency
and closer coordination.
The Overman bill sponsored by the
president himself, granting the chief
executive blanket powers to reorgan-
ize the entire war government, met
with a storm of opposition. It's pas
sage appeared just as doubtful as the
passage of the war cabinet and muni-
fions dictator bills. Democratic SEN
ators, including Senator Martin, the
majority leader, joined with Repub
LEANS in denouncing the measure.
Republican senators declared the
massage of the bill would mean the
complete abdication of all authority
sf congress. Anti-administration SEN
ators who have demanded reorgan-
ization of the war management took
a decided stand against the measure
They declared that they have propos-
ed a specific remedy for conditions
while the new administration bill
would give the president entire power
to provide the remedy.
Prediction was made in some quar-
asrs that the measure would never
emerge from the senate Judiciary
committee. At any rate, prolonged
and bitter fight in the committee
seemed inevitable.
Administration supporters today
launched a well defined program of
speech making to combat the cam
paign of the war cabinet hackers.
Senator Kirby, of Arkansas, Senator
Shields, of Tennessee, Senator Thomas
of Colorado and Representative Glass
OF Virginia all delivered speeches.
Secretary of War Baker changed his
plan to appear before the senate mill
1ary affairs committee for further
cross examination today, on account
of his duties at the office following
the sinking of the Tuscania. Instead
he sent General Wheeler, acting chief
of ordnance, to give the committee the
facts about the ammunition situation
Later on he probably will appear for
a final tussle with the committee The
committee heard General Wheeler in
secret session to prevent the disclos-
ure of information valuable to the
enemy.
Under a heavy bombardment- OF
auestionS from his congressional
critics, Secretary of War Baker on
the stand before the senate military
affairs committee yesterday afternoon
stood unyieldingly upon his previous
assertion that Americas war machine
had not broken down.
He declared that American troops
in France on January 1 were consid
erably ahead of schedule and he de.
elined to revise his previous predic-
tion that America would have half 6
million men in France early II
1915"
Mr.. Baker declined to answer some
questions in public because, he said
ii would furnish information to Ger
many. He offered to give answers II
private.
Come out into the next room and
I'll tell you" he said when Senator
Hitchcock wanted to know about the
availability of shipping for transpor'
and supply service
Much wrangling took place through
out the hearing. Administration sen
ators were on the alert to protec
Secretary Baker and frequently tried
TO force the committee into secret ses
sion. AS a matter of fact the com
mittee had extracted very little new
information from the secretary whe1
IL recessed until tomorrow morning.
Mr. Baker took a decided stand II
opposition to the bill creating mu
nitions dictator. Edward r. Stet
anius, he said, was more than mu
Hftions director now" Baker will re
sumo the stand for further question
ing at tomorrow's session
Senator Hitchcock asked Secretar.
Baker whether he had any objection
20 stating the basis for his previous
(Contfnued on Page 50