New-York tribune., 1919-04-03
Plea for the Retention of
Wide Authority Given
Under the Overman Act
Is Conveyed by Baker
Senators, Amazed,
Plan Opposition
Increased Economy and
Efficiency in Bureau Is
Made Basis of Appeal
to Republican Congress
By Carter Field
Neto York Tribune
WASHINGTON EtLredu

Washington Eureau
WASHINGTON, April 2.-President
Wilson wants to retain, temporarily at
least, even after the peace proclama-
tion is made, the extraordinary carte
blanche powers to make any changes
he may see fit in the organization of
the government departments, bureaus
and boards granted him in the socalled
Overman act.
Secretary Baker, it was learned to-
day, has asked Senator Overman, of
North Carolina, who introduced the bill
bearing his name in the last session
after the Democratic leader, Senator
Martin, had refused to do so, to do his
best to get legislation through as
speedily as possible, Immediately on the
reconvening of Congress, to continue
the Overman act after the proclamation
OF peace. The Overman act, by its
terms, dies automatically with the
peace proclamation.
This came as complete surprise to
Senator's here. 1t was remarked that
journed the Administration had no
hope of any such grant OF power, even
from the Democratic Congress.
Baker and March Agree
At that time both Secretary Baker
and General March, chief of staff, told
the Senate Military Committee they
would be satisfied, realizing that the
lapse of the Overman act would restore
the old organization in the War De-
partment, with a clause in the army
bill then before the committee provd-
ing that the organization of the War
Department should remain as it was on
that date.
This clause, which was satisfactory
TO the committee, failed with the army
I'LL, which was never even taken I'D in
the Senate, but since that time Baker
and March, in the opinion of Senator
Wadsworth and others on the Military
Committee, have broken faith with the
committee by continuing to make
changes in the organization of the de-
partment. They have discontinued the
chemical warfare, better known as the
Gas and Flame, service, and friends of
the army have feared what else they
would do before Congress is convened
10 take up the question, among other
things, Of organizing the War Depart
ment on permanent peace basis
Mr.. Baker alludes to this reorgani-
zatlon in his letter to Senator Over
man, stating he is anxious that the
overman act should be continued until
permanent legislation can be enacted.
Plea Amazes Senators
Senators confess themselves "hab-
oergasted" that the President or Mr..
BAKER should dream for one moment
mat Congress controlled in both
houses by Republicans should continue
'nis grant of war powers after the
declaration Of peace. This is especially
true with regard to the War Depart
mens. Senator Wadsworth, of New
iork' who probably will be chairman
OF the Senate Military Affairs Commit
lee, attacked Baker and March in this
very connection, charging them with
Dad faitf.' on March 10, following the
discontinuance of the chemical warfare
section.
While Mr.. Wadsworth ia not in
Washington tonight, his friends saw
nc would night vigorously any such ex-
tension OF the Oyerman act, and il ia
regarded as extremely doubtful If anv
republican would vote for it. Added
20 TINS, many Democrats voted for the
aet originally only because the Prcsi-
oen, deciai ed it necessary for conduct
lists ' ''"soi tx
The Ovcrman act WAS asked for
originally by the President just fol
owing the sensational attacks on the
asliehaciency Of the War Department bv
osehatots Chamberlain and Hitchcock.
oeefctary Baker "promoted" two Of the
snsh cs attacked as unfit, Major Generals
.uarp ana Crozier, TO a new war coun-
vi, which, after few months of in
scgss1oos iife, Was allowed to expire,
nnalp ana Crozier being nominated a,
~ oea'n as major generals in the line
Baker Claims Economy
~ - this measure which the PrcSi-
80 80. ~ row asking TO have continued
s sasr peace is declared. In his letter
= senator Ovcrman MIR. Baker says, in
a;...,s ih,s act has facilitated and cxpe-
h.ssa Inc task Of the War Department
ofgsniz'ng, training, transportiug.
sss'pplng and maintaining the army. It
sx1. aas permitted centralization Of con
Nil MI coordination Of effort, Acxi-
49, ~ OF organization 10 meet chang
ss ss asqu'rements and an increased cf
srse.ncy IN tbe procurement and diatrj-
81 ss,.'a,' s.ayn OF materials and supplies. in
esa,.ng elimination Of competitive nur.
Ssss.as'ay and Standardization Of sncci-
sEr saDas ,a.si. and procedure, without which
FIz II a .'sssssissary programme which has bccu
ks.a .saas.eexsfplly carried out would hive
s' ~ impossible of realization. y
ii peheYe II would be roiafort,,n.
n4,s ,s ~efs reYcled before auch time a..
Sassdss sSsssistlcn, Of permanent nature
msx ya upon the experience 81 the war
F*y PC enaeted,D ''' ""b
zss 1a4 S9@"ss. = s---'~'~~s~------
~ nD!Ag 70 GLACIER pAKE
644A THIS sIBsEHY