Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-05
COORDINATION.

Doubtless many a meal was slight
cd in the senate restaurant at the
national capitol yesterday while Sec
rotary Baker and Senator Chamber
lain lunched together and discussed
the Oregon senator's proposed meas
IRE for the creation of a war cabinet.
The public has discussed these two
men 80 much during the past few
weeks, weighing criticism and defense
ns each was offered, that 1t might
have been less surprised to learn that
they had engaged in wordy encoun-
ter at a chance meeting than to read
that they had met by appointment and
iunched together amicably.
It is reassuring to know that after
. series OF more or less heated inter-
changes Of an official character, they
still are able to meet without seconds
for a sane discussion OF their diner
ences and wholesome enort to ar
rive at that solution which will be
best for the country's interests. 1t is
Indicative, too, of the spirit Of service
which exists in Americas govern
mental circles and always has done SO.
In France. for instance, challenges
and perhaps some inexpert swords
manship would have punctuated the
investigation which Senator Cham
berlain's committee has been con-
Quoting for weeks. And as for lunch
Ing together, the principals, in France
could not have been brought into the
same restaurant together without pre-
cipitating an embarrassing and scan
dalous scene.
Senator Chamberlain. according to
the account he gave The Associated
Press of his conversation with the sec
rotary, improved the opportunity to
tell Mr.. Baker that the senate's mill
tary committee is working with a de-
sire to strengthen the administration
for the conduct of the war and not to
hinder it. This is point which sup
porters Of Mr.. Baker persist in ignor-
Ing. -,
"The chief difference between u.s.
Senator Chamberlain explained. was
that l believe Affirmative legislative
action is necessary and Mr.. Baker
does not. asked him to think it
over and suggest any changes in the
bill he might desire. The committee
Is not welded to any particular plan
but We believe some legislation to
establish centralized authority with
legal control is necessary"
There are dozens of instances which
have, shown the need for srch central
led authority to coordinate the vari-
GUS war activities. Necessarily and
naturally their paths cross. There is
duplication of effort, conflict between
priority orders, delay in important
work because each Of two or more
departments depends on the others to
perform duties which lie in the neu-
trail ground between the limits OF the
various organizations.
It is to bring system and order in
Buch instances that a supreme war
cabinet is proposed. The proposal is
not, Of itself, reflection on the eff
cheney of any single department. Co.
ordination would be needed if every
activity in the nations complex war
making machine we're functioning
properly within its own limits Of au-
thority.
Secretary Baker believes the
changes which have been made or de-
termined upon in the war department
since the need for coordination was
Dofnted out will solve the whole prob
lem. Senator Chamberlain believes a
properly authorized and legalized
war cabinet still will be needed to
bring the recognized war depart
meut and the other war activities in
TO entire cooperation. Mr.. Baker
does not deny the necessity for CO
ordination. but he promises to effect
It without the assistance Of the pro-
posed legislation.
There is nothing to do now but
wait for him to make the experiment
and hope that he may win success and
that the costly errors which in the
past have been due to lack Of co-or'
dina fion NAV not he dunlic4ted