South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-22
Declares Sen. Chamberlain
Distorted Truth in Recent
Speech and is Ignorant of
Things Accomplished.

I
making machinery was swept away
Monday night by a statement in
which the president said the war
department had accomplished a
task OF unparalleled magnitude and
difficulty with extraordinary prompt
ness and efficiency. denounced the
congressional war Investigations ana
declared that reorganization by leg
islation was proposed after enec-
tive measure Of reorganization had
been perfected.
The presidents statement war is
sued as a result of a speech I'm New
York Saturday by Sen. Chamberlain.
chairman of the senate military
committee. and after he had asked
the senator on the telephone Wheth-
er ne had been correctly quoted.
Sen. Cham berlain's reference to in
action and ineffectiveness of the
government" the president fatty
called "an astonishing and absolute
IL uniustifable distortion OF the
truth" lie said he regarded Sec'y
Baker as one of the ablest public
officials he had ever met
see Little Hope for Measure.
In the statement most observers
at the capitol saw the collapse of
what promised 10 be an historical
struggle Sen Chamberlain, whose
committee has framed bills TO create
war council all powerful un-
der the president and to provide
one man control OF munitions and
supplies. declared he would con-
tinue his fight in spite OF presi-
Dental opposition. It was rather
generally conceded. however. that
the measures would have but little
chance in the senate and probably
none at all in the house.
Sen. Chamberlain made a state
ment I'm reply to the president. say
ing he spoke extemporaneousiy in
New York and that his criticisms
were directed at the war depart
ment only and not at other branches
of the government.
Early Monday word that the presi-
dent opposed the war council plan
was conveyed to the capitol. with
the assurance that the legislation
would be fought to a finish. Among
others Rep. Dent. chairman of the
house military committee, and Rep.
Kahn, ranking republican member,
were callers at the white house and
learned of the presidents attitude.
Raps Investigations.
Investigations conducted at the
capitol the president said. had
brought TO the foreground delays
and disappointments and had con-
tributed 10 them by drawing officials
away from their work.
Legislation proposed by the senate
military committee for the creation
Of war council and a minister Of
munitions, the president declared,
had come after effective measures
of reorganization already had been
maturely perfected.
The president said he regarded
Sec'y Baker as one of the ablest
public officials he had ever known.
and that the country soon would
learn whether he or his critics Un-
derstood the business at hand.
Chambcrlain'S Reply.
Sen. Chamberlain in reply said:
I'm my New York speech 7 had
not prepared the address and spoke
20 minutes extemporaneously. with
out notes ] pointed out that from
Bunker Hill 10 tie present time we
had had no military organization or
policy. The press report Of my adj
dress was correct But my argument
was directed to the military estab-
lishment and not 20 other depart
ments OF the government although
u was broad enough 20 be subject TO
that Interpretation. But those hear
ing il knew I referred merely TO the
military adjustment and that the
senate military committee had UNI
dertaken through the bills for "a war
cabinet and a director of munitions
/ to work OFT changes in the esta blish-
ment
IT explained that these bills were
not administration measures. / did
not misrepresent them
"Sec'y Bakers efforts TO better his
organization have my utmost APP
| prevail He has made much improve
ment but the inherent weakness of
his reorganization is that nobody be-
/ tween the army and the president
/ has legal authority. There is the
! council Of national defense. the war
industries board. and the clearance
committee-all purely voluntary or
| anizationS-between the president
and the army. The war cabinet and
director of munitions would be Gre
ated by law with definite legal pow
/ ers and duties. respectively 10 map
1 out and direct war policies and 10
[ have charge OF war supplies BY
/ this plan we would substitute a
strong for the only weak link in the
chain of organization.
1 Il regret very much that the adj
ministration is not with me. But I
am acting under my oath and will
have the approval of my own con-
! science even if not or the admins
! tration
The people are entitled To- be let
I into the committees confidence. III
the people don't want il. shat viii
be all right It's their war"
/ Monday night the president had
a conference with sen. Martin. dem
ocratic floor leader and sens.
Swanson. Hoke smith Robinson.
I Williams Meyers Hollis. simmons
: Fletcher. Pomerene and Beck
ham and gave them his opinion