The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1918-01-10

matter, as in all others, Director Nc
AdoO has plcnary powers. Indeed,
next to the president, he Is now the
most powerful official in the nation, his
authority being paramount to that Of
the interstate commerce commission
n the state railway commission.
lie can revise rates. determine divi-
dends and eve discharge and appoint
directors and other officials.
Senate Committee Prods Baker.
Bureaucratic methods and the red
tape In which they are entnngled were
rather mercilessly exposed IN the in
quiry conducted by the senate commit
tee on military affairs. and as one re-
suit the committee did precisely what
PRESIDENT Wilson successfully opposed
last summe when he defeated the
plan TO create n congressional commit
tee on he conduct Of the war. After
hearing that more than 10000 men in
the army camps are without OvercOnts
n nearly $4,000 without winter
blouses, the committee adopted n reso-
luton asking Secretary Baker to sup
ply these deficiencies Mt once and to
permit camp commanders to cut the
req tape II purchase the garments
Wherever possible. The secretary Of
wa also was requested to ascertain
whether any other serious shortages
existed and If SO, to obtain the sup
plies mt once. Mr.. Baker said he would
take the action requested.
The committee has been finding out
a great many things that explain much
OF the eXasperating and perilous delay
IN equipping u troops with arms, mu-
nitions and other supplies and the
good effects Of the investigation are
already apparent in the speeding up
that is being shown.
Interesting Developments In CHICAGO.
Without betraying government plans,
1T may be said that arrangements are
being made to devote q great part Of
Chicngo's manufacturing resources to
the making of large caliber guns and
nniShed shells. 1t was stated Il local
director Of munitions might be appoint
ed to apportiOn the wal contracts.
Another event of Importance In Chi
cago-important to the whole country
was the definite settlement, during
the war, Of all labor troubles ut he
stockyards. Through the efforts OF
government officials an agreement was
reached that there shall be no more
strikes or lockouts and that all DIFF
ferenccs h a cannot be adjusted by
the companies general managers shall
be referred to the. United States nd
ministratOr, whose decision shall be
final. John Il. Williams Of Streator,
famed for his success in handling In
Dor troubles. was appointed admins
traitor by Secretary Of Labor Wilson.
1t Ia understood that the agreement
reached in this case represents the
policy the government Intends TO pur-
sue In all pending labor disputes that
affect the making or handling of war
supplies. Union labor won q big point
Mt Chicago In that the agreement pro-
vides that the men and women Mt the
yards can belong to unions If they 80
desire.
Consumption Of labor to build ships
was suggested by Senator's Sherman,
Nelson and Bankhead when Vice
Chairman Stevens Of the shipping
board told the senate commerce COM,
mittee that between 10000 and 3OO.-
GOO more men were needed to COM
plete the boarL's program within the
next year. Mr.. Stevens, however, con-
tended that CONSUMPTION Of labor would
never be accepted by the American
people.
ChrIstnae Peace Offer.
Kaiser Wilhelm did not make his
predicted Christmas peace offer. He
did. however, deliver another Of his
bombastic proclamations to his armies.
In which he gave the German soldiers
high praise and added the statement
that II his enemies would not consent |
to such peace terms rs he has sug-
gested In the past, Germany's iron
fist and flaming sword would compel
them to yield. At the same time
Count Czernin. the AustrO-Hungarian
foreign minister, was telling the peace
conference at B%rest.Litovsk that the
central powers were resolved to sign
terms Immediately which will termin.
ate the war on conditions that will he
Just to oil belligerents. without forcible
a~nnexattons and indemnities. Thew
approved. he said. Of the basic princi-
pies uttered by the Russian delegates.
but insisted these proposals could be
realized only II all the belligerents OBJ.
iigated themselves to adhere to the
terms OF sue a peace. He said Ger
many could not allow the right OF
seif-determinatlon Of control to be an.
Piled In her colonial possessions.