Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-10-04
BAKER FINDS TINE
!. % VISIT CAPITOL
sTUMPING CABINET OFFICER
LOOKS IN DURING LAPSE IN
CAMPAIGN TOUR.
ADMITS IGNORANCE OF
DEPARTMENTAL AFFAIRS
Too Busy Touring Country in Interests
Of President to Keep in Touch With
Border Military Men in
Charge TansIe Political Plans in His
Absence.

Baker the administrations itinerant
secretary Of war. came to Washington
yesterday to visit his department for a
few hours before going back on the
stump for Mr.. Wilson again this week
While here. Mr.. Baker professed an
absolute ignorance Of matters pertain
ing to the department.
When asked concerning a telegram
Governor E. F. Dunno sent him last
week, urging the release Of Illinois
troops on the border in time for the
men to register Oct. II for the Novem-
Der election, he said:
''Of course you know I have been
away and 1 really don't know anything
about it."
Asked If he would order the release
Of the troops as requested by Governor
Dunno, Mr.. Baker said: 4
ri really can't tell. I don't know how
many are down there now and how
long they have been there. I will have
to confer with General Scott on that"
Only Sure About Speech.
Mr. Baker confessed he didn't know
from the border The only thing he
was absolutely certain Of was that to-
day, If nothing intervenes TO prevent,
he exnects to go to New York to fol-
low in the wake of Charles Hughes in
order to give the voters there little
democratic doctrine. Last week he
spent in Ohio his home state. attempt
ing to undo the work which Mr..
Hughes did there for the republican
campaign.
The necessities Of the democratic
campaign have become such that Mr..
Baker hardly waits over in Washing
ton long enough to see any of his
orders carried out after he gives them.
Since Aug. he has been on the So
Officials of the war department as
sert he has been on the stump more
than he has been in Washington.
Frequently Embarrassed.
Mr.. Bakers absences have proved
most embarrassing to the administra-
ton at this end Of the line. The demo-
cratic committee asserts, however, he
is the one best ace in their hands, and
that he is far more valuable on the
stump than in his office here at Wash
ington, merely rubber stamping recon-
mendations Of officials who actually
run the department.
M Baker was up IN Maine cam
paigning, fer the democratic ticket
when Assistant Secretary 1ngraham
rescinded his order for the exchange OF
troops in state camps for those on the
border He hustled back 10 Washing
ton to override Insraham.
He was out west campaigning for
Wilson when Ingraham made public
General George Bells report, verifying
the capture Of Chihuahua City by the
vili.stas two weeks ago. Befor" the
publication o: the report. the admins
tra,ion asserted there had been no
raid. After It was published he adj
min,strat!o- thru Baker. set out to
discredit General Bell.
Funston Report Gets Away.
Baker was out OF the city when Off
Gals OF the department. let slip the
recommendation of General Frederick
Funston for the withdrawal of Gen. j.
]. Pershing, in view Of restraints put
upon Pershing's actions by the ad-
ministration. Mr.. Baker was so in
censed over this he ordered court OF
investigation to get the guilty offlcer.
The court found that no enc could he
blamed for the publication OF General
Funston's recommendation.
Also, it was recalled here today that
Secretary Baker was away from
Washington when Gen. Hugh l.. Scott.
chief of staff. gave out the text OF the
orders under which General Pershing
went into Mexico. At the time General
Pershing was sent over the border the
president asserted that he was to get
Villa dead or alive. The official orders
merely gave him instructions to cap
ture Villa and get his band. But even
they were stronger than the admins
tration wanted 70 admit at the time
General Scott gave them out, because
of Changed conditions" as Secretary
Baker put it during one Of his recent
visits here.