The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-01-05


matter, as In all others, Director Nc
Adoo has plenary 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
and the state railway commission.
He can revise rates, determine divi-
dends and even discharge and appoint
directors and other officials.
Senate Committee Prods Baker.
Bureaucratic methods and the red
tape in which they are entangled 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 summer when he defeated the
plan to create congressional commit
tee on the conduct Of the war. After
hearing that more than 10000 men in
the army camps are without overcoats
and nearly 1900 without winter
blouses, the committee adopted reso-
luton asking Secretary Baker to sup
ply these deficiencies at once and to
permit camp commanders to cut the
red tape and purchase the garments
wherever possible. The secretary of
war also was> requested to ascertain
whether any other serious shortages
existed and If so, to obtain the sup
plies at once. Mr.. Baker said he would
take the action requested.
The committee has been finding out
a great many things that explain Apch
eof the exasperating O. - NJ, W X Y
in equipping our troops with arns mu-
nltions and other supplies any 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,
it may be said that arrangements are
being made to devote a great part of
Chicagos manufacturing resources to
the making of large caliber guns and
finished shells. 1t was stated local
director Of munitions might be appoint
ed to apportion the war contracts.
Another event of importance In Chi
cago-important to the whole country
was the definite settlement, during
the war; of all labor troubles at the
stockyards. Through the efforts OF
! government officials an agreement was
/ reached that there shall be no more
strikes or lockouts and that all diff
| ferences that cannot be adjusted by
the companies general managers shall
be referred to the United States adj
ministrator, whose decision Shall be
final. John e. Williams of Streator
famed for his success in handling la
Dor troubles, was appointed admins
traitor by Secretary Of Labor Wilson
1t Is understood that the agreement
reached in this case represents thu
policy the government intends to pur
sue in all pending labor disputes tina
affect the making or handling Of wa
supplies. Union labor won a big poin
at Chicago in that the agreement pro
vides that the men and women at tn
yards can belong to unions if they 81
desire.
CONSUMPTION of labor to build ship
was suggested by Senators Sherman
Nelson and Bankhead when Vic
Chairman Stevens of the shippin
board told the senate commerce CON
mittee that between 100000 and 800
600 more men were needed to con
plete the boards program within tn
! next year. Mr.. Stevens, however, cor
tended that CONSUMPTION of labor woul
never be accepted by the America
people.
Christmas Peace Offer
: Kaiser Wilhelm did not make hi
predicted Christmas peace effer. II
did, however, deliver another Of hi
: bombastic proclamations to his armie
: in which he gave the German soldier
: high praise and added the statemer
/ that If his enemies would not conseI
+ ! W SuCH DCdCC lClllO IiC has 6ui
2 gested in the past, Germany's ire
fist and flaming sword would comp
Q them to, yield. At the same tin
Count Czernin, the -Hungaria
q foreign minister, was telling the peat
: conference at Brest-Litoysk that I'll
: central powers were resolved to sic
: terms Immediately which will termil
= ate the war on conditions that will |
t just to all belligerents, without forcib
: annexations and indemnities The
= approved he said, Of the basic primo
s pies uttered by the Russian delegate
e but insisted these proposals could |
e realized only If all the belligerents o
q ligated themselves to adhere to Il
e terms Of such peace. He said &c
r many could not allow the right
t self-determination Of control to be q
s piled In her colonial possessions.