The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-25
OLD ARMY FEUD
Secretary Baker VIII Testify
on Lewis-CrOzier Affair.
VIII Reveal Marvellous Growth
of Army During War.

washington, Dec. z5.-Secretary
Baker is preparing to answer critics
of the war department before the SEN
ate military probe committee.
His testimony will show, administra-
ton officials declare. remarkable
progress in all the war work in the
face of unusual conditions"
of Ordnance Crozinr, Quartermaster
General Sharpe and Baker himself by
witnesses before the committee, Presl-
dent Wilson and heads of war, navy
and shipping departments are optl-
nistic at the developments in the diff
ferent congressional Investigations, it
was officially stated today. Baker
will appear in person probably late
this week when the military proberS
resume operations.
Resume Hearing Tomorrow.
When the senate military affairs
committee resumes its inquiry wed
nesday, Quartermaster General Sharpe
will again testify.
Colonel Isaac Lewis's charges will
be taken up when Secretary Baker is
called. 1t is likely Bakers testimony
will be saved until practically the last.
One phase of the working of Cen
eral Shapes department, which is t.
be gone into this week, is the spending
of large sum to build houses for
workers in munition factories. Most
of this money has been spent in a
small district within radius of 200
or 800 miles from Philadelphia, COM
mitteemen said today They want to
know why the war department, did
not use some of it in manufacturing
centers farther inland, thru Ohio, Illi-
nois and western Pennsylvania They
pointed out that congestion of NUM-
tons workers along the Atlantic sea-
board has complicated difficulties of
the shipping board in furnishing
places for their workmen to live.
Secretary Baker declined to discuss
Colonel Lewis's charges against Gen
eral Crozier, ordnance chief, and the
system Lewis called "Crozierism.'
Browning Gun Tested.
The department attitude, which
probably will reveal itself in Bakers
testimony. follows:
Sufficient machine guns will be
ready when needed. 1t is not true
that the Browning machine gun has
never held a test, as Lewis claimed.
It was tested in Springfield last spring
and found to work better than other
guns because of a greater play in
mechanism.
Lewiss statements are regarded as
the outgrowth of a personal feud.
While the senate investigation has
made it appear this government is
borrowing from the depleted French
supply, the fact is the United States is
sending over gun castings and parts
for use in French factories.
The main lack in the ordnance sit
uation is that of heavy artillery. Col
onel Lewis's claim that Pershing's
men are short of rifles is untrue. The
Pershing force is supplied with five
rifles per man.
Eliminating "Red Tape
AS for claims of red tape hamper
ing work, the departments answer is
that it has been for some time trying
to eliminate delays and that its new
war council is striving to coordinate
relations between the department and
the force in the field.
Moreover, it points out that much of
the senate testimony, dealing with past
conditions. oVerlooks the enormous
readjustment in the industrial machin-
| cry of the country.