New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1919-02-07

the unpleasant controversy which oc-
Cured at about that time between
the President and myself is still re-
membered, l am sure, at least by the
Members of the Senate. 1t got to be
almost treason to dare to criticize
anybody. except the Members OF
Congress, and it was looked upon
generally as commendable to critici-
re them. 1t amounted almost to
treason aye, indeed, the sugges-
tion Of treason was leveled against
some men, Members OF Congress,
too, who dared to criticize the con-
duct of those in public place. l
myself, Mr.. President, passed under
the yoke for daring to express an
opinion as to the War Department,
but without a single regret; and is
my criticism saved the life of one
young man on the battle front Of
France l am willing, if need be, to
yield my seat in the Senate Of the
United States to-day. But the bill
creating a director OF munitions
was disapproved; it was bitterly re-
sented that the charge had been
made that the Military Establish
tnen had fallen down; that it had
almost quit functioning because OF
inefficiency in the departments Of
the Government.
lnsffieisMcy Confessed
But when the munitions director
measure was disapproved by the
President what happened? There
was presented to ! Senate as an
administration measure = bill which
in effect confessed inefficiency in
the War Department, and went
futher than confessing inefficiency
in the War Department. in that it
confessed inefficiency in every de-
partment, and placed it in the power
of the President to reorgan.ze every
executive department Of the Govern
ment. II there was no inefficiency
in the War Department. why reor-
ganize it, Why grant this great
power? II there was not inefficiency
in any other departments, why grant
power to change any of them? 1t
was true, then, and We realize as we
glance back over the past year that
it was true, Mr.. President. that there
was inefficiency ir. many of these
departments. The Senator who had
the bill in charge stated more than
once on the floor of the Senate
that the power was needed because
there was incfficency in all depart
ments and bureaus.
Mr.. President, the mere fact that
that bill was requested to be enact
ed into law was a confession
that every department OF the
Government was inefficient. Under
it reorganization after reorganiza-
tion has taken place in the War De-
partment, and possibly in some OF
the other departments, although |
have not paid much attention to
them; but reorganization after re-
ORGANIZATION has taken place under
that act, and under it many OF the
hngs which were necessary to be
performed, as found by the Military
Affairs committee, for the successful
prosecution OF the war have been
performed.
1t may be asked, WHY refer to
! this? 1t is ancient history" Mr..
President, I am referring to it in
order to draw from the past, with
regard to the prosecution OF the war,
lesson for our gu dance in the
future in the protection OF those
who have suffered as a result of
that war. Criticism has been re-
sented all the time. 1t will be re-
sented now. 1t will be resented
most by those who deserve it most
Mr.. GORE Mr.. President
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Does
the Senator from Oregon yield to
the Senator from Oklahoma?
Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN. | yield for
a question.
Mr. GORE. Only moment.
wish to say that Camp Doriphan
is situated miles from the town
where | live in Oklahoma-Lawton,
Okla. One of the most tragic incl
dents referred to by the Senator a
year ago occurred at Camp Doniphan
and conditions there, suppose, were
typical OF what prevailed in other
cantonments. was informed soon
afterwards by one of the leading
citizens OF my town that within "a
hours after the Senator's speech of
criticism conditions began to i'm
prove at Camp Doniphan; that the
improvement was Immediately noti-
ceable, and that conditions had been
good, in shipshape;. think that is
the expression that he used, / say
this not merely in vindication Of the
Senator's course of criticism but in
vindication generally o. the import
ance Of constructive criticism as one
of the leading incentives to human
progress and to human improvement.
Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN. l thank the
Senator for calling attention to the
conditions out there and the changes
that took place for the better.
Mr.. President, let US see what the
Military affairs Committee found to
criticize in the Military Establish
ment, beginning with December, 1917 !;
and I am going into detail.
Men Not Warmly Clothed
I merely called attention to the
fact that there was a lack of ordnance
material and great tardiness about
furnishing small arms; that there
was a lack in quartermaster's sup
pies, and not only that, but that the
uniforms that were furnished to the
soldiers were reduced in wool con-
tent so that they were almost abso-
lutely untitled for use in France.
resulting in the purchase of such
supplies on very large scale
in Great Britain by General
Pershing, and individuals in
authority over there. A perfect vim