South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-04-21
GREAT RECORD IN
CONSTRUCTION OF
U S. CANTONMENTS
Congressman DOremus of De-
troit Tells How America
Acted in a Pinch.
DIV JOHN j. CARSON.

WASHINGTON. April 2C.-Again
it is demonstrated through the
house investigation OF the construc-
ton and cost Of Cantonments, how
the United States government. only
by throwing expense to the winds.
and proceeding with its preparedness
program at any cost. rose TO the
emergency Of war, and overcoming
Unprecedented difficulties put an
enormous winning army Of two mill
lion men in France. having 100000
more in training, when there were
gloomy prediction that the feat was
impossible. The story was told in
the house recently by Congressman
Frank +. Doremus, Of Detroit, one
of the minority members of the
house select investigating commit
tee.
Rep. Doremus said that despite
the arduous labor necessary as a
member of an investigating COM
mittee he was glad he had served
because it gave him an insight into
Americas m a r k a / e achieve
ments.
Il do not regret the part I have
taken in this investigation, said
Mr. DOremus. 1T has given me a
clearer idea Of the task that con-
fronted the government when war
suddenly threw its shadows athwart
the path OF d peace-lOving people.
IL has given me a keener appreCia-
ton Of the obstacles that were en-
cOuntered and of how a mighty ma
ton arose TO its great responsibility
when the supreme test OF its genius
and patriotism came"
No Specific Charges.
Referring 10 the report OF the ma
jority of the committee. which
criticized various things in the con
duct Of the war but brought no spe-
cine indictment against any one,
Rep. Doremus. with a touch of sar-
castle emphasis, said:
This is a mOmentOus occasion in
the life of our republic. on this day
our reconstruction congress pauses
In It's tortuOus and questionable
historical work entitled How Amer
lea Lost the War, written by Hon.
William J. Graham, Of Illinois. his
nine unprejudiced disinterested.
non-partisan republican collabora-
tors"
Rep Doremus added tina ne had
been assigned TO the sub-cOmmit-
tees 10 investigate construction of
army camps land this investigation
has been one Of the most successful
building programs in the history OF
the world"
After nine months OF investiga-
ton" continued Mr. Doremus, the
majority of this committee is un-
willing 20 make a specific recon-
mendation 10 the attorney general
or a particular allegation of fraud
against any person, firm, or corpOr-
alton. During all that time they
have had access 10 the records OF
the construction division OF the war
department and the emergency con-
struction committee. with unlipited
authority from the house 10 inves-
tigate every phase OF construction
program.
Pass Buck" Along.
They have employed able inves-
tigators and counsel. and no limi-
tation has been placed upon their
expenditures. During these nine
months they have left no stone un-
turned In their efforts 10 discover
evidence OF fraud and graft. and
now they propose TO pass the inves-
tigation on 10 the attorney general
They have brought in report
which they would not dare 10 sub
NIT 10 a vote OF the house. be
cause IL contains findings and recon-
mendatiOns that the house would
not approve The resolution is a
feSsion OF failure, and the country
will so regard H."
Rep. Doremus challenged the re-
publican majority TO present for a
straight out vote n report not deal
ing in general charges OF waste OF
money and inefficiency. but specify
ing particularly what matters should
be investigated by the attorney gem
eraL After a fruitless Investigation
OF nine months Mr.. Doremus ar
gued the committee was merely
sidestepping In resolving that the
attorney general should now investi-
gate war contracts.