New-York tribune., 1918-01-23
President Believes
Nation Backs Him
Tells Advisers Pro.
posed Legislation
Takes Away Con-
stitutional Powers
by The Associated rress]


WASHINGTON. Jan. o2.-Neither
the aggressive opposition Of President
Wilson nor the apparent certainty that
their measures would have no chance
in the House, even if passed by the
Senate, is halting the campaign of ad-
yocates in Congress of bills to estab-
lsh q war cabinet and director of mu-
ntiohs.
ay, according to plans made to-day by
Chairman Chamberlain and his asso-
GATES on the Military Committee be-
hind the legislation. the contest will be
opened. The.' propose. with a motion
to refer the war cabinet bill to the
Military Committee as the vehicle Of
debate, to open discussion of the mer-
its Of their war machinery reorganiza-
ton programme, and Senator Chamber
lain expects to reply to the statement
issued by President Wilson last night
criticsing him for his New York
speech, in which the Oregon Senator
said the military establishment had
broken down."
Administration leaders conferred to-
day at the Capitol and planned to fight
the Chamberlain bills and answer the
attacks upon the governments conduct
Of the wal. In preparation, a number
OF Democratic Senator's saw the Presi-
dent last night. 1t is understood the
President told them he believed the
country would support him in his op-
position to legislation which would
abandon machine carefully developed
since the war began in favor Of new
and untried organization taking over
many of his own Constitutional powers
under the proposed war cabinet bill.
Chamberlain Prepares Fight
10 meet the arguments Of the Ad-
n,lnlstration spokesmen, Senator Cham.
terlain and his supporters are prepar-
ing to elaborate on the deficiencies and
delays in providing army supplies and
equipment disclosed in the committees
var inquiry. To-day the committee de-
cided to resume the investigation next
saturday, calling Surgeon General
uorgas to testify regarding cantonment
ssnltary conditions.
me record of the investigation to
eafe was hastily completed to-day to
"e iurnished to Senators in readiness
lor thursdays debate. Late in the day
'ehator Chamberlain included in the
Ws Wlecord a statement furnished by the
"af department, showing shortages Of
equipment OF National Guard and Ma
,lonal Army cantonments on January I
vi that date the over2oat shortage was
r JSer IN all camps and the principal
oeenciencles IN most of the camps were
VI y. MINOR clothing items, but Camp Lee,
'irginla, showed large shortage, Of
Wooilen coats and Camp Funston. Kan
ssas 90 per cent in blankets. Camp
SeVier South Carolina, reported short
sses OF 90 and 60 per cent, respectively,
:" ~ooiien breeches and coats.
Publicity on Ordnance
Necretary Baker submitted with his
mpoft letters retractng certain state
,9 'cnes made to the committee some
Nme ago regarding sufficiency of cloth
'g at camp Sherman. Ohio
Prompted by President Wilson'S
Statement last night, the ordnance bu
lay OF the War Department has en-
ysthed wtnd upon new publicity policy.
.,,'le Mh'le no official statement was avail
aoe, ,n;'!,, 1t was indicated that wherever
anatary necessity does not demand
Suppression of facts and figures full
."iormatlon as to what the bureau is
press. w Wv
u IN connection with the new policy it
IA las disclosed that reorganization OF
ME- ME- ordnance bureau began early in
'hay' 1917. less than a month after the
JTeciafatlon of state of war. A rough
t'a,1 OF concentrations referred
W py President Wilson in his state
" msnt' SO far as that bureau is con-
Wsfamed at least, was drawn up during
ppay' and had the approval of the
ia ,sesldent himself before it was un-