The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-14
BAKER SHOULDERS
BLAME FOR DELAY
Secretary Says He Is Response
bic for Failure to Select
Machine Gun.
FACTS WOULD AID THE ENEMY
Replies to Charges Made by General
Croxier to Senate Body-Ordnance
Chief Says Weapons Will Be
Ready In April.

Washington, Dec. 14.-Secretary Ba-
ker made this reply to General Gro
zier's charge that he is responsible for
the failure. until June II last, to make
a choice of machine guns:
.'I am responsible for anything that
goes on In the war department. l have
been much interested IN the subject of
machine guns. / appointed a board
to pass on them.
There's no need for defense. The
senate committee can very properly
seek to find out everything that has
been done, and 1t is General Crozfer's
plain duty to tell them the whole story.
"But I can't say anything for publi-
cation. It's matter concerning which,
above all others, our adversaries would
be glad to acquire information.
There's no need for taking sides.
Clearly the department cannot allow
Itself to state what should not be
stated, because somebody expresses a
confused view Of it. The military de-
tense OF the country is thing that
can't be stated In detail.
Gun Invented by an Expert.
'The Browning gun is new gun in
vented by man who has invented
more ordnance than anyone else. 1t is
light gun. A long time ago 1t was
tested and operated under the auspices
Of a board Of experts which ap-
pointed. 1t Is not true that the gun
has not been thoroughly tested. The
board OF experts was appointed to pass
on all machine gun questions.
1.-THE full capacity of this country
fOr the manufacture Of machine guns
has been laid under contract. The
entire capacity Of every maker Of ma
chine guns is being used.
''It Is not the intention of the de-
ing gun. The intention of the depart
ment is to get every machine gun it
can get"
Secretary Baker declared American
overseas forces are adequately sup
piled with machine guns. He added
that all other forces going to France
will be adequately supplied with these
weapons.
Puts Blame on Baker.
Washington, Dee. 14.-Major General
Crozier, chief of army ordnance, testi-
flying before the senate committee in
vestigating war preparations. declared
the responsibility for delay in getting
machine guns lay personally with Sec
retary Baker, who took charge OF the
tests between the different types
Because of the machine-gun short
age, General Crozier testified, foreign
guns were furnished to the American
troops abroad and to troops In training
at home.
Senators of the committee pressed
General Crozier vigorously for explain
ations of what he had been doing when
1t was almost certain that war would
be declared and after it actually was
declared. General Crozier explained
that there was a delay In changing
the type Of rifles, but contended 1t had
been beneficial one, and declared
that any troops the government was
prepared to send to France could be
equipped with rifles Immediately.
General Crozier said the war depart
ment has selected a machine gun
known as the Browning, which has
been tested, but never has had field
trial. It Is now being manufactured,
but none has been delivered and none
Is expected before April.