The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-25
SECRETARY BAKER ISSUES STATEMENT
 ON PREPARATIONS
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 for the effic;ency, zeal and adequacy of
 the service.
 Contracts for quartermaster's supplies.
 such as clothing, shoes, tentage, etc.
 have been placed up to the limit of avail
 able funds with provision for the au-
 tomatic extension of the orders on
 large escale as soon as additional funds
 are available In this connection 1t was
 was in better position to get quickly an adequate supply of army rifles than
 ever before in its history.
 The general military budget to be laid efore Congress is expected to include
 many army measures which failed at the
 last session and which now are being
 restudied and co-ordinated. The nature of any recommendations as to changes
 in army organization, such as the adop-
 not been disclosed
 NEW ELEMENT INTRODUCED
 A possible new element for the con
 sideration of the national defense coun-
 cil was called to it's attention during
 the day by Richard M. Bissell and Will
 bur E. Mallalieu of New York; president
 and general manager respectively, of the national board of fire underwriters. The
 board has offered to organize and direct
 for the government the working out of
 broad plan for dealing with fire pre-
 vention requirements. The theory on
 which the suggestion was based was that a campaign of incendiarism might follow
 an outbreak of hostilities with Germany. The underwriters have detailed in formation as to fire fighting facilities through the country, and a. highly trained corps of engineers and inspectors These agencies were placed at the disposal of the government together with all the ad- ministrative machinery of the organiza- tion to meet any emergency. Secretary Baker referred the matter to the ad- yisory commission of the council for con- sideration.
 Returning congressional leaders have begun to lay their plans for whatever the President may recommend at the ex- tra session, and today Chairman Kitchin called the House ways and means com mttte6 To meet HcAt w ouuoSudy. w Hllc the primary purpose is to consider organ |ization matters. the governments fiscal situation is sure to be discussed Mem Ibers are talking among themselves of a huge government credit to the allies, but tanv action to that end will await the presidents announcement of his pro- gramme.
 l On Monday Representatives Flood of 1 Virginia, Ragsdale of South Carolina and i Harrison of Mississippi, members of the foreign affairs committee, will confer
 with Secretary Lansing. The specific questions to be discussed have not been revealed. Representatives Harrison, Flood and Ragsdale issued this statement today: There can be no doubt now that we are involved in the war. One of the main questions to be decided as a policy of the government is as to the best way to CO., operate with the allies. Whether that shall be by protecting our rights on the high seas through the navy, or sending soldiers into the trenches or placing at the disposal of the allies the wonderful credit of this country will deserve the most careful consideration.
 l Tt may be that before the war is over I've will have to send large expedition lary force over there. but personally I hope that course can be avoided" :"