The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1918-01-22
Il : |, R,
VERSUS
WILSON

WAofflNG lON, ID. u, Jan. ~
President Wilson has begun the
most spectacular fight of the war
for control of congress.
Battling against passage of the
Chamberlain war cabinet" bill
which would amount to congress
sional recognition of the admins
tration's alleged failure to conduct
its war plans properly--the presi-
dent is faced by almost solid re-
publican opposition added to a few
In his own party.
To add zest to the battle, Col.
Theodore Roosevelt arrived to-
day to take up the cudgels for
the Chamberlain measure. An edi-
torial in the morning papers UNI
der his signature preceded arrival
of his snow-blocked train. 1t
conveyed his determination to
throw his influence against the
president.
Peoples War.
Ii insisted upon passage of the
Chamberlain bill 80 that we may
never aagin be caught utterly and
shamefully unprepared.
President Wilson in state
ment last night declared the leg
islative measures proposed to
wrest from him and Secretary
Baker direct administration of the
war work had not even been
brought to his attention In con-
ference, that they would delay
progress rather than hasten it
and that Bakers plan. of reor.
ganization was based on expert.
ence and therefore better.
Senator Chamberlain in reply
stated today that he is willing to
abide by the expressed will of the
people.
'It's their war;" he declared.
Rather Snappy.
Roosevelt, upon his arrival, two
hours late, appeared nettled at the
delay of his train. He refused to
discuss anything with newspaper
men who met him, agreeing, how
ever, to see them at 8 o'clock this
afternoon.
II have said everything / have
to say" he snapped to a question
as to the possibility of reply to
Senator Stones attacks yesterday
or comment on the Chamberlain
bills before congress.
After breakfast Roosevelt was
in better humor.
al am infinitely more interested
in what the president has said
about Mr.. Chamberlain than what
Mr.. Stone has said about me, F."
he said
To Meet johnson.
1.-THE first person l see today
will be Senator Chamberlain and
the next, Senator Johnson-until
/ have seen both | don't care to
make statement.
"My purpose in coming down
is to do everything I can to help
speed up the war so as to make
our cooperation in 1t effective AS
possible at the earliest possible
moment, and in the second place
to give all the support l can to
the bill championed by Senator
Chamberlain and Congressman
Kahn for introduction at once as
our permanent policy, the system
of universal obligatory military
training for our young men,"
Senator Chamberlain, charged
by the president in formal state
ment last night with "distorting
the truth" about the war situa-
ton, declared today he will re-
ply.
Chamberlain's speech answer
ing the president may come Thurs
day when the senate reconvenes
to hear Chamberlain plea for
action on his measure.
Lining Up Democrats.
Chamberlain's determination to
fight to the last ditch for the d.
rector of munitions and the war
cabinet was mistaken today In
the face of the White House op-
position.
Half a dozen democratic sena-
tors, called to the White House
last night. were busy today lining
up other democrats against the
two bills.
Senator. Wadsworth, republican
member of the military affairs
committee, said senate republic
cans probably will. take a definite
stand on both measures at q meet
irig to be held soon.
louise republicans caucas to-
morrow night and the two bills
will be discussed then. II is
realized that tho the senate might
be won to The director of NUM-
lions bill at least, the house prob
ably would not pass 1t without a