Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-05
PRESIDENTS VETO
EXPECTED TO STOP
WAR CABINET PLAN
Executive Prerogative AL
luded To by Williams in
Answering Hitchcock.
NEBRASKA SENATOR CHARGES
WAR MACHINERY is FAILURE
Declares Baker Is Ignorant of
Real Facts-Optimistic Asser-
tions Leave False Ideas.
GERMAN GAME IS UNDERTAKING.
Defenders OF Administration Claim,
War Department Is Run
ming in High Gear.
NEBRASKA SENATOR CHARGES
WAR MACHINERY is FAILURE
GERMAN GAME is UNDERTAKING.
IBy Associated Press.

WASItINGTON. February i.-Contrs-
versy over tho governments war eni-
cheney and the bills for a war cabinet
and munitions director was renewed
day in the Senate with IA debate
which occupied virtually the entire
day.
Senator Hitchcock. Democratic mem
ber Of the Military Committee. deliv-
cred two-hour prepared speech in
support of the two bills which the
President opposes. sharply criticizinS
: the War Department and charging Sec
retary Baker with unintcntionaliy mis-
leading the country by making "abso-
| luteiy prcposterous and exaggerated
statements regarding the country's
ability to get soldiers abroad.
Senator'S Williams, OF Mississippi and
Reed, OF Missouri, Democrats, replied.
opposing the war reorganization meas
urcs as proposals TO usurp President
Wilson's authority. The former de-
clared that ''the German game Is muck ;.
raking the administration" and assor;--
ing that efforts to forco the bins aye
futile because OF certain executive
veto, urged cessation of agitation.
While praisinE Senators Hitchcock
and Chamberlain as unimpeachablc pa
triots. Senator Reed, another Military
Committee member argued that tho
war cabinet bill is unconstitutional.
and praised the governments accom-
p!tShments in the wal, asserting that
admitted incHiciencies are minor corr
pared to the magnitude OF achieve
ments.
THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS SHOW
MACHINE IS NOT FAILURE
III has been said or the Goor OF this
Senate tina, the military machine was
broken down. said the Missouri SEN
ator You cant say that a mach;p,,
that put 1900. 900 men under armsr-!,:
, so short a time is 4 total failure; you
cant say that 4 machine that has sent
thousands OF men abroad without a
single life lost is "A total failure: you
can't say that n machine that is con-
structing enough airplanes TO cloud
enemy cities from the sun is a total
ia lure"
The discussion is 10 hc renewed to-
morrow with a speech by Senator
Wadsworth. OF New York. a Rcpubii-
can committee member. in support OF
the war reorganization legislation.
Among other Senator's planning ad-
dresses arc Thomas, OF Colorado. ami
Kirby OF Arkansas. Democratic mem
hers of the committee. and Chairman
Chamberlain who said tonight he
would speak again in explanation OF
tho committees measures
Upon conclusion OF Secretary Bakers
cross examination by the Military Com
m!itec Wednesday. administration lead
ers hope to end the controversy anu
prevent tho proposed legislation from
being reported by the committee or
receiving Senate consideration. Secre-
ta:y iakers examination had beer
planned FOR Tomorrow, but Chairman
Cham beriain asked him to postpone Il
until Wednesday because OF to-mor-
rows debate.
Supporting the committees bill Cor
war cabinet and munitions director.
| Senator Hitchcock declared that Sec
retary Baker was. no doubt sincere
but was mslcd by lack OF informa-
ton regarding scarcity OF ships into
making sanSuine predictions. He said
President Wilson himself does no.
know the real situation" and cited this
feature as an illustration OF the ah-
sencc OF government coordination.
Conceding that much OF a big ,asl,
has been crcditably done, the Nebraska
co -ordnatcd war operations through
war cabinet and centralized purchas-
ing through munitions director are
imperative. lie asserted that the Pres
ident and Secretary Baker had tried
but failed TO attain the object, and
that the governments system was OBJ
solc;c. The committees legislation, he
argued. would not cmba-raSs or inter
ferc with the Presidents direction OF
the war.
UNBELIEVABLE BLCNDERs
~ WAR DEPARTMENT.
sharp criticism OF many government
war activities. but without attacking
individuals. was made by the Senator
in illustrating his arguments. Blum
dcrs that almost surpass BELIEF have
occurred in the War Department. Ee
said and the shipbuiiding situation
nc described as farce and almost
a crime" He declared the trarspor-
tat!on srstem has broken down" ard
10 "a gigantic wreck" VITA :.oou,oep