The sun., 1918-02-05
Critical of Both Methods
and Mecllanisms of the
Government.
REED MAKES REPLY
Nebraskan Democrat. in His
Speech. Calls for Aid of
Business Experts.
TELLS WAR CABINET NEED
Lack Of Coordination in Vast
Affairs Arising From World
Struggle DeplOrcd.

] 'P'''"' DesputTN 10 HE SlN,
/ WASHINGTON. Feb. 4.-Senator Hitch
cock fNeb.), Democrat and heretofore
ono Of the strongest and most con-
sistent supporters Of the Administration.
to-day made a bitter attack upon tho
red tape which is clogginz the work OF
| the War Department and the conduct o.
the war Senator Hitchcock Is ranking
member OF both Foreign Relations and
Military Affairs committees OF the SEN
ate He was one OF the men upon whom
the President relied most when war
with Germany was impending.
The Nebraskan's speech was so spir-
! tied and so bitter it even transcribed
the efforts OF Senator Reed (Moo who
felt constrained to address the Senate.
counselling moderation. Senator Hitch
cock was critical OF both the methods
and the mechanisms of the Government.
including many OF those with which tho
Administration has expressed the full
est satisfaction.
Lack of coordination in the vast affairs
or the Government incident to the war
was denounced by Senator Hitchcock as
tho fundamental falling Of the hour. He
accused Secretary Baker Of eXaggera-
ton in his recent optimistic statement in
regard to the movement of our armies
to France and the numerical strength in
bayonets and auxiliaries. which the War
Secretary promised the Military Affairs
Committee would be half million men
within few weeks. lie told the Senate
the shipping programme was far behind
the needs of the nation and its allies.
The speech Of Senator Hitchcock did
not 90 down lines OF the recent sensa-
| tional address Of the committees chair
| man. Senator Chamberlain, but there
was no element OF discord in the utter
ances OF the two anti-Administration
| leaders Both agree with the suggestion
that the President is out of accord with
the facts and ignorant Of what is going
on in many OF the important details Of
government.
''Hears Only One Side" Is Charge.
Like a king surrounded by court he
hears practically only one side" said
Senator Hitchcock. and the Administra-
ton leaders WINGED al the suggestion OF
the royal exclusiveness of the Chief
Executive
Il agree with the chairman OF the
Military Committee pursued Senator
Hitchcock, that the President does not
know the real situation. He cannot give
two months to an investigation as wa
have done. The people who complain do
not reach the President, not even mem.
bers Of his Cabinet"
President Wilson's opposition TO the
bllls for the creation OF a tiirectorship
or munitions and a war cabinet was de-
fined by Senator Hitchcock as re-
sultant precipitation OF his political
philosophy. He said The President
belongs to the school of political philos-
ophcrs who adhere TO the b. lief that all
4 llnnOrtant leNtSIatinn GhntliA -,r,y
with and lie proposed by the executive to
the legislative body l do not subscribe
to this scheme of government"
Collapse of shipping Industry.
The portion OF Senator Hitchcocks
address which won the closest attention
was his description Of the situass<r.in
which the United States Is placed In tho
wRrtime by reason OF the collapse of the
shipping industry and the stupendous
delays incident to its rehabilitation.
But he argued that. with a war cabinet
standing at the Presidents right hand,
to aid in the coordination OF efforts and
the analysis Of plans, programmes and
projects. vast amount Of the duplica-
ton of effort incident to recreating a
mercantile navy TO replace the destruc-
tion by submarines OF our own. our al
lies and the neutral owned shipping, the
restoration Of balance would be moro
speedily accomplished
Senator Hitchcock cited the instance
OF 100000 ton jam of freight on the
docks Of New York. with no ships 10
move it and no coal with which to bum
ker the ships II the ships had been at
dock as coincident with 4 shortage oe
freight at tho docks OF New Orleans
when there were ships aggregating 2bo.-
600 tons and only $4,000 tons of freight
with which to load them.
A war cabinet. IN the opinion OF SEN
ator Hitchcock. would by its scope of
authority and its elevated viewpoint see
the problem Of the war as a general
scheme and the ten great war time
agencies of Government working at their
individual problems. coupled with the
ten constituted executive departments.
would appear to the supercabinet as only
pieces Of one great machine instead OF
score of separate and unrelated
agencies OF war time energy.
"The great war bureaus should he
focused In some authority that would
harmonixe and coordinate them" as.
serted Senator Hitchcock,
speech OF Senator Hitchcock.
Senator Hitchcock spoke as follows:
MY purpose Is to present conclsely
the reasons which have led the Commit
tee on Military Affairs 10 recommend
the passage Of two bills. One creates
the ONCE Of director Of munitions, the
other creates war cabinet OF three
persons In both cases.. OF course. tho
President would make the appointments.
1.-THE Military Affairs COMMITTEES
voted to support these bills after u
month and n half OF almost continuous
| daily meetings. During this time IL took
much testimony-most OF 1t public and
now IN printed form, and somo OF II OF
such a confidential nature that Il was
not reduced TO writing.
"Py January 20 the committee was
practically a unit in reaching tho Eon.