New-York tribune., 1918-07-20

/ whose achievements have in the past
advanced the material resources of
this country to their present COM
manding power. When men of this
kind were first called to the aid of the
Administration they were given advis-
ory functions and no actual control.
Slowly the Administration has been
forced to use them. The principle at
first obtained that men of success in
any field of private business were not
to be trusted with real authority in
war production.
"This made the qualification for such
posts in many cases a lack of expert
ence in the field in which the ap-
pointeeg We're to act. Hard experience
! has forced exceptions to such par
Glyzing rule Of eligibility and selec-
American people is now finding an op-
rortunity for effective operation in the
real authority given to Messrs Schwab,
Stettinius, Ryan, Goethals and others.
With such men in unfettered control
we can be confident of volume Of
production in ships, arms, ammunition,
airplanes and terminal facilities that
will amaze the world.
Presidents Utterances Lauded
"Thc Presidents messages and ad-
+
our moral aims in the war. They have
shown clearly the disinterested atti-
tude Of the American nation. They
have painted with master hand the
wickedness Of our foe. They have
grandly promised that we must not
stay our hand until we win. They have
confuted the pretences of our enemies
and stiffened the morale of our allies.
"ln framing practical policies for
II bfrI,
ever, the Administration has not
achieved the same success. There is
always halt and hesitation in adopt-
ing the necessary course finally en-
tered upon
"Nhilc we were mediating by mes
sage in the field of open diplomacy
with the German and Austrian peoples
our transportation of troops was slow
and in small numbers and seemed to
vindcate the views of those who con-
tended that the transfer of millions of
Americans to France in any reasonable
time was impossible.
"Thc army appropriation bill of last
winter was held UP for more than two
months in order that the Secretary of
War might visit the war fronts and
gain clearer idea of the situation
there t,15 and bring back definite policy.
When he returned he appeared before
the committees of the House and SEN
ate and gave them an account of his
trip. but instead of bringing back a
definite plan Of action he asked for
more time to consider.
THE Western drive was then on. 1t
presented as nothing else could. the
immediate danger of breaking through
the Allied line. The Allies called unon
the Administration for aid and '1u nreseed upod
the necessary shipping unon us. we
were pushed into action and thus we
have now landed 100000 men in
France"
Constructive Criticism Urged
The former President here described
the defeat in Congress by the Admin
lstratlon forces of legislation to ex
tend the draft age limits. which he de-
and without hardship upon dependent
famIiies the army of cat least 10000
men" urged by the minority leaders
He continued: D
"What is needed, then, to help this
Aamlnlstrat!on most is a coordinate
nfanch OF the government with power
ard responsibility in fighting this war,
Mhlch VIII perform two functions. The
hrsV is that OF constructive criticism
of administrative action or inact;on
A criticism is constructive which will
point out defect for the purpose ~
having it remedied, which will emnha-
slve need for the purpose of havjnr
1t supplied. 1t is a criticism from q
source of independent power which
VIII minimize the numbing security of
ofhclal reserve and concealment and
simulate executive sensitiveness to
the duty of quick decision and action
IN time of war. The second function is
by law to enlarge our military prepa-
ratlons at once. so that they shall
clearly be adequate to our declared na-
tional purpose
"Will Democratic Congress furnish
TINS constructive criticism and needed
ieglslatlon? Clearly not. There have
been a few Democrats IN ConcrosS
especially in the Senate. whose intense
interest in the effective condnc+
OF the war has been manifest and
who have shown Independence Rnt
IN the case o. the majority of the
Democrats this has not been true We
may, therefore, infer that new Demo
cratic Congress would wait upon tho
President, would hesitate with him ana
would furnish him no independent ag-
gressive impulse in his great task
Politics Not Adjourned
'Now, what of the next elect;on .
The Administration has sought to Sc.
cure what is called non-partisan re-
turn of loyal members of Congress
That non-pa -partisanship seems to annlv
only in states where the Rannhlf,