The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1919-12-11
AN ANSWER TO MR. CUMMINGS RESULTS OF
INVESTIGATIONS SHOWN.

Washington, Dec 9.-(Specal correspondence. THE
cent declaration of Chairman Homer Cummings of the Demo
cratic national committee that the Republicans in congress
have been engaged in what he calls fue Investigations
makes it appropriate review of the definite and vau
able accomplishments attained by Investigations which
to have rated the leader Of the for retention of the
present administration in power The record shows that Re
publican Investigations forced adoption Of reforms
saved hundreds of millions of dollars and brought ncompe
and the bar of public for trial
and condemnation.
The work of only committee dsegardng the others
for the present. furnishes ample justification for the nstitu
ton of the inquiries if of the others had done
thing Space precudes going extensively into the work Of
all the committees but few pertinent facts be set down
regarding the accomplishments of the select committee
Expenditures in the War Department Here facts:
Soon after the committee began its hearings the state
ments of officials disclosed that the War Department
withholding from the market large quantities of food and
other supplies the chief being to prevent lowering
of prices That the policy of the War Department
time when the cost of living soaring Some of the food
heid Dy the War department was spolng Following re-
port and resolution of the select committee the War Depart
men reversed its policy and placed sale stores not
needed for military purposes Sale Of this food either
duced the people tended to check further advances
At any rate hundred million dollars placed in the
Federal treasury return for quantities of food that had been
held in storehouses at government loss
The committee Investigated the proposed sale of the
men powder plant Nitro West Virginia for which offer
OF only $49OO,OOO had been secured The committee pro-
tested against the sale and bid of $S00O secured
Thousands of automobiles standing out in the weather
at army rotng and rusting The committee exposed
the conditions and reported resolution requesting ao
ment OF unneeded automobile trucks to the several states for
road building purposes and immediate sale of the Others
While these machines will be sold loss the government
the loss will not be great if the machines left in
definitely standing unprotected at army camps
Extensive Investigations have been made regarding the
OF adjusting claims The facts broughts by
the committee this subject, well upon the manage
ment of the aviation and ordnance bureaus
yet available for public discussion the committee has
formulated its report but the facts and recommendations will
be ready and safe predict that the results will be
important the reforms produced by the investigation of
boarding of food the sale of the power plant
handling of automobiles, etc.
Judging by reforms already accomplished it is also safe
to assert that the administration has been induced change
its policy in respects by of the knowledge that
the committee at work and would eventually
other instances of procrasnaon and waste better policies
adopted Just it took and outspoken
public opinion to stir the administration to action during the
early months of participation in the war; has taken
constant vigilance induce the administration protect the
public welfare return to peace