Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-22
P RESIDENT
TO OPPOSE
WAR BOARD
Democratic Leaders Are
Warned That Wilson Will
Fight Committees Bill
For Centralizing War
Making Authority.
MEASURE GIVES WIDE
SCOPE TO COUNCIL

Washington, D. c.. Jan. 21.-Presi
dent Wilson has served notice on demo
crat leaders in the senate that he viii
use all his influence and power to bea
the bill to create a war council.
The president will fight to finish,
was the word brought to the capito
today, after conference had been helC
by the chief executive and Secretar.
Baker.
Establishment of war cabinet O
"three distinguished citizens of demon
strated executive ability" is provided
as introduced by Chairman Chamber
lain.
COMMITTEE ACCEPT CHALLENGE
Despite the presidents announced
determination to oppose the bill with
all his resources, it was introduced in
the senate today as planned. by Chair,
man Chamberlain of the military com
mittee and with the approval of prac
tically all the democrats of the com.
mittee who showed no disposition to
recede.
Members of congress saw in the
situation the making of historical
contest between the executive and
congress.
OUTCOME is IN DOUBT.
President Wilson told the leaders
with whom he consulted today that he
considered the creation of a war cOun.
ciE would take the personal direction
Df Amsrica's part in the conflict oul
Of his hands and likened it to the at.
tempts to curtail the authority of
President Lincoln.
While the democrats who stand for
the bill were firm there were no sur.
face indications as yet as to how far
the rank and file might be ready TO
vote against the presidents wishes, es-
peciallv when he put the case so
strongly.
1t was generally accepted that the
republicans were for the bill.
Senator Swanson objected to tn"
bill being referred to the military COM
mittee alone, and it went over until
tomorrow without reference.
SCOPE is WIDE.
The war cabinet. the bill provides.
shall be appointed by the president
with the consent Of the senate and is
to have the following Jurisdiction and
authority:
ITO consider, devise and formulate
plans and policies, general and special
for the effectual conduct and vigorous
prosecution Of the existing war and to
direct and procure the execution of the
same.
"To supervise, coordinate, direct and
centralize the functions and activities
of all executive departments, officials
and agencies Of the government in so
far as, in the judgment of the war
cabinet 1t may be necessary or ad-
visable for the effectual conduct and
vigorous prosecution of the existing
war.
TO SETTLE DIFFERENCES.
ITO consider and determine upon its
own motion or upon submission to it.,
subject to review by the president, all
differences and questions relating to
the conduct and prosecution of the war
that may arise between any such de-
partments, officials and agencies Of the
government
Another section would give the war
cabinet power to use the service of any
or all executive departments and
bureaus.
Subject to review by the president,
the proposed cabinet would have an.
thortty to make any necessary orders
70 any department or bureau and all
the necessary rules and regulations
OFFICERS AS SUBORDINATES.
The secretaries of war and navy are
directed to assign to the war cabinet
such commissioned officers as may be
requested and the president may ap.
point other officials to serve as sub.
ordinates of tho cabinet. An initial
appropriation of $500,0O0 is proposed.
provision limiting the life Of the
war cabinet to six months after the
termination Of the war. or at any
earlier date after peace which the
president may designate. is provided
The war cabinet would be given au.
thority over conservation of appropria
tion acts, subject to the presidents
revision.