The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-01-26
DISTORTION or TRUTH.
PRESIDENT WILSON COMMENTS
ON CHAMBERLAIN's SPEECH.
Criticism OF War Program and Effort
% Congress- to Take Charge OF Di-
rcction OF War by Naming War Cab
fnet to Control President Arouses
Woodrow Wilson.

Washington, Jan. 21.-All doubt as
10 President Wilson's view OF pro-
poals I'm congress for reorganization
OF the governments war making ma
chinery was swept away tonight by q
statement In which the president said
the war department had accomplished
task OF unparalleled magnitude and
shfnculty with extraordinary prompt
ness and efficiency, denouncing the
congressional war Investigations and
declared that reorganization by legis-
fstion was proposed after effective
measures OF reorganization had been
perfected.
The presidents statement was is
sued az result OF a speech in New
York Saturday by Senator Chamber
lain. chairman OF the senate military
committee. and after he had asked the
senator on the telephone whether he
had been correctly qouted. Senator
Chamberlaln's reference to "inaction
and ineffectiveness OF the govern
ment." the president fiatiy called IAN
astounding and absolutely unjustiflable
distortion OF the TRUTH" The president
said he regarded Secretary Baker as
one Of the ablest public officials he
had ever met.
In the statement most observers at
the capitol saw the collapse OF what
promised TO be a historial struggle.
senator Chamberlain. whose commit
Tee has framed bills to create a war
council all powerful under the presi-
dent and TO provide one man control
OF munitions and supplies. declared he
would continue his fight in spite of
presidential opposition. 1t was rather
generally conceded. however, that the
measures would have but little chance
In the senate and probably none at all
i'm the house
Senator Chamberlain made a state
mont In reply TO the president. saying
ne spoke extemporaneously in New
York and that lis criticisms were di-
rected at the war department only
and not at other branches OF the gov
eminent.
Tonight the president had confer
enee. with Senator Martin. Democratic
floor leader. and Senators Swanson.
Hoke Smith. Robinson. williams. Mey-
srs. Hollis. Simmons. Fletcher. Pom
ssene and Beckham and gave them
his opinion about the senate commit
ices bills. II is understood there was
general discussion OF the congress
nohal Investigations and criticisms OF
the executive department. The first
TEST OF strength on the committee pro-
posab probably will come when the
senate reconvenes Thursday.
Senator Chamberlain announced to-
hight he would then demand refer
enec OF the war cabinet bill to his
committee. Senator Swanson. acting
CHAIRMAN Of the naval committee, will
oppose the motion on the ground that
tho naval committee should be con-
snlted before the bill is brought be-
fore the senate.
Chairman Chamberlain said tonight
that he would not seek Immediately
10 press the measures before the SEN
ate but would like for them to lie
over for several days until their pro-
visions and design become understood.
Hearing In the committees investiga-
ton will be resumed with CAPTAIN
Haugh OF the British army appearing
tomorrow.
the presidents statement follows:
When the presidents attention was
called to the speech made by Senator
chamberlain at luncheon in New
York Saturday he Immediately inuuir-
ed OF Senator Chamberlain whether
he had been correctly reported. and
upon ascertaining from the senator
that he had been. the president felt
10 hIs duty To make the following
statement:
Senator Chamberlaln's statement
as TO the present inaction and inef-
fcctiveness OF the government is an
asfonlshing and basoiutely unjustia-
able distortion OF the truth. AS n
matter OF fact the var 1enort,nent
has performed task OF unparalleled
magnitude and difficulty with extra
ordinary promptness and efficiency.
There have been delays and disap-
pointments and partial miscarriages OF
plans all OF which have been drawn
into the foreground and exaggerated
by the inYeatigntions ,rhlnh hn.... 49,.