The Washington herald., 1918-01-23

The Senate Military Affairs Commit
tee, giving an inkling as TO what IL
will do as a result of the extensive
hearings. shows a spirit that is highly
commendable.
1t is a spirit which will help Amer
lea in the war and which will greatly
strengthen the morale of our people.
Instead of seeking 70 make four
or five men the goats of its investi-
gation-as it could easily do-the COM
mittee announces that it will endeavor
to correct the policies under which
our military affairs have been con-
Quoted thus far. 1t will endeavor to
instill business principles into affairs
by providing heads for complete CEN
tralization of our war activities.
Approval of Congress on these plans
will be the first step undertaken. The
fact that President Wilson does not
favor some OF the changes is known,
but it is probable that the Congress
sional effort will not be stayed be-
cause of that. The only possible thing
that could bring a halt in the program
would be the request of the President
for an interview with the committee
and this the President has not said
or intimated that he wants.
If the President and the committee.
or even a subcommittee of the Senate
Military Committee, We're to talk the
matter over a change in the form of
the bill could be very easily arranged.
That is, IL could be arranged if the
changes suggested by the President
were not too vital. The committee
seems to feel that somebody to come
between the Cabinet and the Presi-
dent. is necessary to the conduct of
the war-a body which will have Presi-
Dental powers to act and to co-or-
dinate every war activity.
As matters are now there is no such
body. The coordinating power is
there. in the President, but it is a
physical impossibility for him to ex-
ercise it. A board possessing his pow
ers could very easily fill the sadly
apparent gap in the present arrange
ment, and could bring about a vast
Improvement within very short time.
There is no question but what public
sentiment is back of the demand for
a change. The disclosures made be-
fore the Military Committee have con-
Lirmed suspicious which the people
themselves have long entertained. We
cannot 90 ahead to a successful pros
ecution Of the war until we center
responsibility and power and conduct
our affairs like a great. well-organized
corporation would conduct them.
The Senatorial demand for a delay
in enforcement of the coal order had
one good effect-it brought about
tationS' to lessen its destructive quail
ties. And this, after all. was the main
thing the members of the Upper House
were seeking. OF course, they are
disappointed at not being shown
courtesy, but as long as they achieved
their end, in some measure. they arc
not entirely dismayed over the battle.
No matter what executive depart
ment members may think OF the func-
tions of the legislative body, on the
hill, the fact remains that the latter
is the representative body in our ma
tional government. Until its actions
are vetoed by the people by the de-
feat of those who participated in those
actions. it may be regarded as the
peoples spokesman.
Various members of Congress are
endeavoring to call Senator Stone
"off" the speech he may have in
preparation for this week. The belief
Is prevalent that if the Missouri SEN
ator tries to attack the Republicans
for alleged political playing he will
open question that will bring down
malediction upon the heads Of his own
party.
1t was reported last night that nv
one had been successful SO far in per-
suading the Senator that he should
not speak. His plan is said to be tu
carry out his intentions, no matter II
he does hold of for two or three
days.
OF course, Senator Stone has only
one thing in mind in attempting this
move just now-he wants to come
back as a defender OF the admin
istration. This is the opinion of
some OF his colleagues who know him
very well, and who are amused quite
as frequently as they are alarmed al
his stand on various matters. He is
only endeavoring to get ready fol
next years race. they say-and tc
correct the blunder which he sees now
he made in opposing the war resolu-
ton last April.
II the Senator stirs matters up II
will be interesting to see what hap
pens. But serious-minded people wht
hate to see petty affairs injected int,