Evening journal., 1919-07-21
JUSTICE PROMISED
WAR PROFITEERS
Congress Committee In
yestigating War depart
ment After Offenders
SAY INFORMATION
is CONCEALED

WASHINGTON, July 2i-If the coun-
ry will only be patient and consider
he size OF the job, proflteers who
sucked the life blood Of the nation
md gathered riches from her misfor-
unes during the war; viii be ferreted
lut by Congress and dealt with sternly.
That is the promise made by Repre-
entative William j. Graham, OF ILL
lois, chairman OF the House committee
pvestigatlng War Department eXpendi-
ures.
"Goaded-by high prices Of neces-
laries, feeling the pinch Of extraor-
harry taxation and seeing in many places
vidences Of governmental extrava-
lances, the people Of the country are
llamoring for a thorough investga-
ion OF War Department expenditures, 4"
aid Mr.. Graham. "Our committee Is
'cing vigorously urged from all sec
ons TO speed up action. We are de-
cioping the Investigation as fast as It
6 possible 10 do so. / don't see how
Ao committee can finish its part Of the
work. and get its material in shape for
congressional action inside OF six
months.
Despite the fact that Secretary Of
Mar Baker definitely promised a sub
committee hearing last Friday 10 EN-
'loy every agency at his command 10
gather and submit 10 the committee in
formation Of the War Departments ac-
:ivities during the last thirty months.
hr. Graham declared the department is
Eithhol6inE as much information as
,ossible from the committee. He
harges It is necessary TO drag every
ecord from the department archives
nd says nothing is submitted volun-
arily. sNSgEl
General Peyton G, March, chief OF
tan; Adiutant General Peter c. Har-
us and other high officials OF the trmy
lave testified before the committee
Turing the month II has been at work
The attitude Of General March before /
bis inquisitors on more than one -ecca-
Non without doubt had much 20 do
With the unpleasant reception given 10
Presidential communication on the
loor OF the House Friday. when he was
proposed, with General Pershing, for |
congressional honors.
Urgent as the need is, there is no |
likelihood that Congress will work out |
1 permanent military policy for sew
lral months. Meanwhile the War De- |
partment is speeding ahead toward real !
zing its purpose Of creating for the
United States "a well-balanced military
force" as testified last week by a mem
Der Of the general stan. II is acquiring
quantities Of guns OF all sizes from
ourteen-inch naval giants VIA mobile
mounts down TO trench mine throwers.
. is acquiring large tracts OF land in
various sections OF the country for can
onment and artillery range purposes
rs Withholding from the market near
y i000Q0000 pounds OF high explosives
hat are going 10 be tucked away in
cserve said 90 be authorized BY the
xecutive branch Of the government. All
# which means spending lot OF
survey OF S.tuotion.
ar Graham made a survey OF the /
Whole situation at present
The War Department has spent IN
he last two years about SIG. .000. .O0OO
justinable in the national
About 25.000 contracts were
made for ordnance alone. Money was
catered extravaeantly everywhere.
Everybody knows how the whole ma
ion was turned into an arsenal
When the armistice was signed Il
vas expected that the War Department
would cancel all contracts but those
Qvering the manufacture Of peace
ime necessaries for The army. Instead
Z doing that, the department went
light ahead loading up with everything
could set Congress was not con-
ulted.
Prices are high. Taxes are high.
here is serious economic pressure In
Il regions. The people are hard
ressed. uneasy, in a mood 10 demand
be most conscientious Stewardship.
hey want thorough Investigation OF
var expenditures. When a resolution
proposing the investigation was offered
n the House there was a unanimously
avorable vote Non it.
This committee contains fifteen
and is composed Of 1--WE sub
committees covering aviation. camps.
'oreign expenditures, quartermaster
corps and ordnance. 10 is dlllcult for
the outsider to realize the tremendous
labor confronting the committee. It