New Britain herald., 1918-01-22
WILSON ATTACKS
 SEN. CHAMBERLAIN
Accuses Him of Uniusti6able
 Distortion Of Truth

Washington, Jan. 22.-Presid ent Wilson issued last night a formal statement attacking Senator George E. Chamberlain of Oregon, the demo- cratic chairman of the committee on military affairs, for his assertion in a speech before the National Security League in New York on Saturday that the military establishment of America has broken down for the reason that there was 'inefficiency in every bureau and every department of the United States government" He furthermore defended Secretary Baker. and declared that the dis closures made by the senate commit tees investigations in regard to army shortcomings were insignificant in comparison with the results obtained.
 The presidents attack caused a sensation, as he and Senator Cham berlain had been on the best of - terms politically and personally MT. Chamberlain has supported all the presidents war policies and had carried through the senate some of the most important legislation.
 Tn his statement condemning Sena- tor Chamberlains New York speech, President Wilson said that MT. Cham berlain's reference to "the present in- action and ineffectiveness of the gov ernment was an astonishing and ab- solutely unjustifable distortion of the truth
 The president admitted that there had been delays in war work which, however, he said had been overcome by reorganization. He asserted that the investigations of congress had had the effect of drawing indispensable officials away from their work which had contributed to delay and con" fusion. Of Secretary Baker he said: T am bound to infer that that statement sprang out of opposition to the administration whole policy rather than out of any serious inten- ton to reform it's practices.''
 This implied accusation of Presi V dent Wilson against Senator Cham berlain caused surprise. as MT. Cham - herlain had been accounted one of the presidents staunchest supporters. Much of the comment last night was directed to this charge, many asking where the president had obtained any evidence to show that the chairman of the military affairs committee had not been in accord with his war program.
 My association and constant con- ference with the secretary of war have taught me to regard him as one s6f the abIest public officials I have ever known. The country will soon learn whether be or his critics under stand the business in hand
 But the portion of the president g statement to which most attention was given in congressional circles wa s he concluding sentence which con- demned Senator Chamberlain as an opponent of the entire policy of the administration. The president re- ferred to Senator Chamberlain's as- sertion that there was inefficiency in every depar ' ant and bureau of ths government, and added:
 Presidents Statement.
 " When the presidents attention 4Has called to the speech made by Senator Chamberlain at a luncheon in New York on Saturday he immediate ly inquired of Senator Chamberlain whether he had been correctly re- ported, and, upon ascertaining from the senator that he had been, the president felt it his duty to make the following statement
 Senator ChamberIain's statement as to the present inaction and ineffec- tiveness of the government is an as- tonishing and absolutely unjustifiable distortion of the truth.
 "As a. matter of fact, the war de- partment has performed a task of un- paralleled magnitude and efficiency with extraordinary promptness and efficiency. There have been delays and disappointments and partial mis- - carriages of plan, all of which have been drawn into the foreground and exaggerated by the investigations which have been in progress since the congress assem bled - investigations which drew indispensable officials o1 the department constantly away from their work and officers from their commands and contributed a great deal to such delay and confusion as had inevitably arisen.
 But by comparison with what ha1 been accomplished. these things much as they were to be regretted were insignificant, and no mistake has been made which has been re peated Nothing helpful or likely tt speed or facilitate the war tasks O. the government has come out of sucl Criticism and investigation
 "1 understand that reorganiza tions by legislation are to be pro posed. q have not been consulted about them and have learned of then only at second hand,) but their pro posal came after effective measure of reorganization had been thought fully and maturely perfected, and inasmuch as these measures hay been the result of experience, the, are much more likely than any oth CTS to be effective. if the congress vii but remove the few statutory ob stacles of rigid departmental organ