Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-10

~~S~~~~S~~>~S~~~c~~N~~NS ~~~~~S>N~~~N~N~@S-~-T
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 a 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 a 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 much
Of the exasperating and perilous delay
In equipping our troops with arms, mu-
nltions 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
IL may be said that arrangements are
being made to devote a great part OF
Chicago's 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
government officials an agreement wal
reached that there shall be no mort
strikes or lockouts and that all diff
| ferences that cannot be adjusted b.
the companies general managers shal
be referred to the United States ad
ministrator, whose decision shall b.
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 agreemen
reached in this case represents tn
policy the government intends to pun
sue in all pending labor disputes tha
affect the making or handling of wa
supplies. Union labor won big poin
at Chicago in that the agreement pre-
Vides that the men and women at tn
yards can belong to unions If they s
desire.
Conscription 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
900 more men were needed to con
plete the boards program within tn
next year. Mr.. Stevens, however, col
tended that conscription of labor woul
never be accepted by the America
people.
Christmas Peace Offer.
Kaiser Wilhelm did not make h
predicted Christmas peace OFFER Il
did, however, deliver another of h
bombastic proclamations to his armie
in which he gave the German soldiel
high praise and added the statemel
that II his enemies would not consel
to such peace terms as he has su
gested in the past, Germany's irC
> fist and flaming sword would comp
them to yield. At the same tin
Count Czernin, the Austro-Hungaris
i foreign minister, was telling the pea,
: conference at Brest-LitoVsk that Il
= central powers were resolved to sil
: terms Immediately which will termi
: ate the war on conditions that win
t Just to all belligerents, without forcih
: annexations and indemnitles. Th
: approved, he said, of the basic prln'
5 pies uttered by the Russian delegate
e but insisted these proposals could
E realized only II all the belligerents Q
a ligated themselves to adhere to t
e terms Of such a peace. He said G'
r many could not allow the right
t self-determination Of control to be Q
S piled In her colonial possessions.