The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1918-01-25

From the lips Of those closest to the
president the chief executive cannot learn
the truth not because his advisors de-
sire TO mslrad him. hut because they
are situated in the same position as
he is.
America Unprepared.
THE secretary Of war III general
statement to the country which was
carefully and ably prepared tells us that
$4,000. 100000 have been appropriated Tor
the ordnance department and that con-
tracts for Sl.677.ooo.O00 have been
awarded" he continued. This is true.
But the secretary failed to tell the ccun-
try that America failed to stand pre-
pared"
Franco bled white" he continued. is
furnishing America today and the troops
going abroad with heavy ordnance. ma
chine guns and airplancs. If we relied
on the ordnance department In TINS
emergency tand this Is war or artil-
lcry) tho war would be completed before.
we ever got enough TO the front. France
agreed to deliver this artillery. To win
America" Did she furnish 1t in order
to invite America:
II was improper. he said, to give de-
tails of American purchases OF ord
nanccs from the allies. but referred SEN
ators to the confidential testimony be-
fore the committee by Major General
Crozer, chief Of ordnance.
UP to Baker.
IF the administration had wanted to
be fair to the American people. ne
shouted. why didn't the distinguished
secretary of war. and have the highest
regard for him let the people know. so
In getting
ready for this terrible calamity that
confronts not only America but the
whole world
Senator Chamberlain charged that the
ordnance bureau failed in 1916 to pre-!
pare for war when 1t seemed certain.
There were omcns in the sky" he
continued, that America couldn't Keep
out. What was the ordnance depart
ment doing? Nothing. 1t was lying
supincly on its back. not making gauges
for manufacturing ordnance not oisCoE.
cring the periods Of manufacturing oue
doing nothing. absolutely nothing:
TRANSFORMATIONS for jigs and dies to
make ordnance he said had not been
used.
I'm not blaming anybody IN part'c-
ular." the senator continued. nave
regard for General Crozicr. But we
haven't been able to do what England
Franco and all our allies have done
and that Is to retire these gentlemen
who have not proven themselves up 10
tho mark. We ought not to dismiss
them in disgrace. but In other countries
they have done into innocuous oesue-
tude.
No Personal Issue.
"Thts IS not a question Of personal
ties This is not a question between the
president and myself. 1t is question
of Amcrlcanism and every American
ought to. make it his whole purpose 10
see that America is saved.
.Take the machine gun" said the sen
ator Its an old controversy and much
may be said on both sides. The Lewis
gun has been manufactured here for the
British army and there arc 1000 OF them
on the battle front. Every British orlcer
I have seen has expressed approval OIL
that gun. America was prepared to
produce them. but with the country
standing on a seethinG volcano the ord
nance department was trying TO- decide
on a gun. The war department didn't
even adopt a gun until May. and finally
adopted it In June. 1917, I believe anu
thcn only on paper and IT still Is gun
on naner. It never has had a field test.
Maybe the Browning gun Is good wea-
non. but the Lewis gun is doing Good
work. Why not manufacture the Lewis
gun?"'
The Secretary Of War testified before
the committee he said, that In Septem-
Der tho United States had nine Brown
ing guns. with which to so out against
the millions Of Germany" He denounced
the cry that investigation gives ln1oT-
nation to the enemy.
Germany Knows
ArSAYtrn
today than the mon connected with the
d~ne ailments" senator Chamberlain de-
clared. III tho government would be
frank with the people. then We could
RELY upon the people to rally to the sup
mort OF the president and the prosecu-
ZION of the war" he added. Great Brit
,in he said, did not waste time manu-
guns. The United states
could have adopted the same kind OF
rife as used by England as plants In
this country were equipped Tor manu-
featuring them he commended.
But while the house burns no shout-
"a american determines through tho
ordnance bureau what observation-disclosures
are to be adopted" He conceded thht
the rife as finally adopted was an I'M
over the British gun out DC
rIared II took days and months to per-
plants had been consulted Il
rmn finally was agreed upon for the
a nncrican army, but the ordnance bur
rou through a very dNtinGuished ort-
cer.. ordered that the number or parts
he increased which added to the delay
"Wby shouldn't America know these
+b,nrs?" tho senator demanded. some
neople in tho west, ne said. believe
America has all 1t needs.
err they only knew tho actual condi- !
tions" lie continued they would give
their lives. their all to protect America. !
,asual reading Of the Secretary "i war
statement gives the impression mat VIC
had everything. But when We get III"
testimony Of the men on tho ground
different information Is obtained.
Equipment Lacking.
Citing Information from an officer at
-onn Davis, Texas, who declared there
yyas not q single tr%nch mortar th"r"' a..
and that other necessary equipment was |
lacktnr Senator Chamberlain declared: !
THAT Is true Of every camp In IN" {.
r-,Ited States. If It hadn't been Tor IA" |
civilian people who have como here ana
given their time and service VIC wouldn't
have been anywhere. .
turning to the Quartermastcr Gencr-
ais department. Senator Cham ocrlain
declared that from Secretary BAKERS
general statement the country would DO
ltcve that "everything was lovely and
the goose hung high. so far MS clothGE
Is concerned
put when you talk to the men TINT
these boys. you fnd 1t isn't
there" he continued. "On per capita
basis Il IS there. but not when IT comes
70 effective distribution; they simply +
haven't got the clothing
Difficulties Realized
II realize tho difficulties Of tho Qunr-
t.rnnastcr General. He has done tho
beat he could under tho present sTstnm. /,
Liz Ah..f