The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-01-26

suited about them and have learned |
of them only at second hand---but |
their proposal came after effective |
measures Of reorganization had been
thoughtfully and maturedly perfected
and lnasmuch as these measures have
been the result OF experience, they
are much more likely than others to
be effective If the congress will but
remove the few statutory obstructions
or rigid departmental organization
which stand in their way.
" The legislative proposals / have
heard OF would involve long additional
delays and turn our experience into
mere lost motion. My association and
constant conference with the secretary
OF war have taught me to regard hin
as one of the ablest public officials I
have ever known. The country will
soon learn whether he or his critics
understand the business in hand.
ITO add. as Senator Chamberlain
did. that there is ineficiency in every
department and bureau of the govern
ment is TO show ignorance of actual
conditions as to make it impossible to
attach any importance to his state
ment. am bound to infer that the
statement sprang out Of opposition to
the administrations whole policy
rather than out of any serious inten-
tion to reform its practice
Senator Chamberlain said:
I'm my New York speech / had not
prepared the address and spoke 20
minutes extemporaneously, without
notes. ! pointed out that from Bunk
err Hill TO the present time we had
had no military organization or policy.
The press report of my address was
correct. But my argument was di-
rected to the military establishment
and not to other departments OF the
government although 1t was broad
enough to be subject to that interpre-
tation. But those hearing it knew !
referred merely to the establishments
and that the senate military commit
tee had undertaken through the bill
for war cabinet and director of mu-
nitions to work out changes in the es-
tablishment.
| II explained that the bills were not
administration measures. I did not
misrepresent them.'
Secretary Bakers efforts to better
his organizations have my utmost ap-
proval. He has made much improve
ment. But the inherent weakness OF
his organization Is that nobody be-
tween the army and the president has
legal authority. There is the Council
OF National Defense. the war indus
tries board and the clearance COM
mittee--all purely voluntary organiza-
tions-between the president and the
army. The war cabinet and director
of munitions would be created by law
with definite legal powers and duties,
respectively to map out and direct war
policies and to have charge of wal
supplies. By this plan we would sub
stitute strong for the only weak link
In the chain of organization.
II regret very much that the ad
ministration Is not with me. But ]
am acting under my oath and will
have the approval OF my own con-
science even IL not Of the admlnistra-
tion.
Tho people are entitled to be Jet
into the committees confidence. If the
people do not want 1t that will be ali
right. It's their war"
Early today word that the president
opposed the war council plan was con
veyed to the capitol with the assur-
ance that the legislation would be
fought TO n finish. Among others
Representative Dent. chairman of tho
house military committee, and Rep
resentative Kahn ranking Republican
member. were callers at the White
House and learned OF the presidents
attitude.