Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-01-10
Continuing a Costly Farce.


After months Of Investigations which
produced little that was subject to Just
criticism. il develops that the several
Hous,. subcommittee named by the
Republicans to investigate war expcndl-
tlires are to continue their expenditure
of time and money during the present
Session of Congress.
The Graham sub committee which re-
Gently made preliminary report to the
House. IS scheduled soon TO 80 on
nlpket to two or more southern army
camps, there to take further testimony
regarding war contracts. One of these
subcommittee. i will be recalled, went
10 France to pursue its partisan lnvos'iga-
ton, while another went 10 the PacIhc
Coast, and still another to army camps
IN the west and southwest.
No specific recommendation nor del
mite report of fraud has yet come from
these House investigating committees
Their inquiries. following the successful
conclusion Of the war brought about
RENstSlltN OI AtN Vic SfeSS1SA tOf't- -
can arms, have never received general
approval from the public Nevertheless,
,hc committees continue their probes.
hoping to develop something that VII
iiscrcdit the conduct Of the war hy the
War Department and the Wilson ad-
ninisiration.
Editorial and public comment on the
activities Of these smelling committees
As a rule deplores the attempt % dctract
a, this date from the achievements Of the
War Department and the nation IN the
conduct II the greatest war IN history.
Tins comment is not confined entirely 70
,dherents Of the party in power, but IN
iependent men and newspapers, as well
IS some fair-minded Republicans believe
these cap.ious Investigations TO be a
mistake
II IS conceded by friends q the War
Dcnsrtment, and ~ the department Il
wlf that necessarily some mistakes were
made IN the hurried preparation for war
and In the conduct OF so great 2 confiic,
itself. There was no nation engaged IN
this war. il is argued. that did not some
times err. II Is also admitted that there
was q degree OF waste, for all wars are
wasteful, hut it Is claimed that consider
ing the great difficulties involved, the
s-lipendous task suddenly thrust upon
The administration and the country, and
the necessity Of transporting millions Of
.roons three thousand miles across the
seas. the achievement OF America stands
without parallel.
With the war won through mobiles
tion OF the country's resources, In which
men Of every political party patriotically
assisted. the efforts nov OF the House in
vesticators 10 magnify comparatively
small mistakes and to exaggerate incjd mt
Of waste are destined eventually to meet
the public disaDproval they deserve. II is
believed here that the sverare American
citizen Is satisfied with the victory won
and proud OF the remarkable achievements
OF his government during the stress of the
war period
The preliminary report Of the Graham
sub committee which wss debated for
several hours IN the House under 4 gag
rule reported by the Republican rules
committee. contained no suggestion OF
legislation and no specific charge Of
scandal No vote was taken or the re-
port after debate and altogether, the
mere debating Of incomplete findings Of
80 investigating board was without
precedent u the House
The nearest approach 70 q direct charge
bv the Graham subcommittee which Is
soon 10 resume its running for the War
Department and for campaign material,
was expression Of belief that q very few
contracts, teas than dozen, seemed TO
be tainted with fraud This vague state
ment, which failed to flx responsibility or
oame persons alleged 10 be guilty. was
vigorously attacked by Democrats II the
House as unfair t0 contractors and the
War Department Considering the thou
sands Of contracts Ut during the war, and
the thousands II officers aud civilians
aecessarl!y participating IN thc negotia-
tons the vciled criticism oi eight con-
tracts was poor fruit after arduous ill.,
yu'.V by tho subcommittee
With The campaign approaching, how
ever, il is The purpose Of the dominant
party in the II Use to spur Oh it, lnyes-
tigating committees IN tie expectation
that something aay be found that viii
Justify harsh criticism. During The IN
quriee various officials Of the War Depart
ment, from the Secretary Of the War and
Ch.ef Of Staff down TO corporals and en-
..sted men have been and will be cross (.
examined
What the cost will be Of these SO far
.rultless Investigations cannot b. es-