The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1918-05-06
BILLS PENDING

BILLS PENDlNG
The Overman bill, which has passed
the Senate, confers almost unlimited
powers on the President 10 reorganize
departments and rearrange their func'
Aons in the interest of efficiency. he
ts authorized to make any transfer or
redistribution OF functions he may
deem necessary to the successful pros
ec,1tton OF the war. The opposition
claimed that the bill would vest too
much power In the President, would
make him independent OF the Con-
gress, and that the bill involved
menace to our liberty and constitution
al rights. These objections failed TO
impress the Senate, on account OF the
gravity Of the situation confronting US.
It was recognized that war. "a 1t IS
conducted now. not only neceSsltates
an absolute application Of military
powers. but tina, administrative pow
ers also must be united in one hand,
as time and effort would be wasted II
the President is dependent upon secur-
ing legislative assent Tor authority
which should be- exercised nstanter.
The sweeping powers conferred by the
bill will certainly enhance the ethcieH-
cy of the government and create re-
sponsibility which is lacking when the
legislative body NEEDLES with admin
istrative affairs. AS IL is, this Dill
For the national security and defense.
for the successful prosecution of the
war. for the support and maintenance
OF the army and navy. for the better
utilization Of resources and industries,
and for the more effective exercise and
more, efficient administration by the
President Of his powers as commander
lef OF the land and naval forces
virtually makes the President dicta'
tor during tito continuance of the war
and for six months thereafter.
The nation is Wiling 10 trust the
: President with the additional power
so that results worthy o. the strength
d, and dignity OF the United States might
be obtained. ana that the admitted
shortcomings and plumbers Of the past
: year might be- avoided. When this
: bill is passed. lack Of statutory power
can be no longer assigned as a cause
. for failure in aircraft. Shipbuilding or
other war problems. and it is TO be
. hoped that the bill vii! prove to be ain
effective instrument Of unification and
coordination. that it will eliminate
confusion and duplication and speed
: the successful prosecution Of the war.
: In view of the blanket powers con.
ferred, an amendment. slipped in just
before final passage. and providing
: that ANY power inadvertently omitted
. from the foregoing. is hereby granted
. almost assumes humorous aspect. 1t
. is assumed thar the House will pass
the bill speedily.
=" Another very importan. bill aims at
the suppression of disloyal,y. The
present Law covers disloyal acts
, only TO 4 limited extent. especial.
~ as they are directed against
resisting the military service and
damaging tho financial credit of
e the United States. II has proven
to be insufficient, because many
acts impairing tho prosecution of the
, war could hot be- reached under it. o.
lection is made to penalizins Language
which has the effect to create dissatis
faction with ,ne. war OF to hold the
= government in contempt. The fear
=. vas expressed tina; 4 complete sup
Preston Of tho freedom OF spcech OF
press might result. and an amendment
was proposed exempting from punish
ment criticisms which are made tr
good faith. The Attorney General op
posed the amendment. claiming the Of
feet. not the intent. Of the criticism
should govern. as It would BE- difficult
to show whether an attack upon TN
government was made with a patriotic
or a. seditious motive This amend
ment will likely fail. as a majority i:
Of the opinion that the department
has no intention to suppress freedom
Of speech or press. and will only pros
ecute those persons whose disloya
character Is clearly demonstrated.
A bill is also pending authorizing
the government to Tx the prices o
minerals and to take over mineral dc
posts. for which an appropriation q
million dollars is provided. Tn
pas been objected 70 a. socialist
6n objection which has been mad
IN vain against all similar WARTIME
measures. And ii is not likely 10 pei
vail in this case. If 1t IS considere,
how important the use of minerals |
In the prosecution Of the war. and tina
their production in this country I
lur1aly rnonopolistic, II is easily ur