Honolulu star-bulletin., 1917-12-27

IN the senate military l0NGstIEdlIOH
Cided upon by the house, the presiden
lies. That the administration Is demo
is glad TO give the public an insight IN
presidents position.
A house subcommittee 70 investi-
gate thoroughly the conduct OF the
war by the navy was created by the
naval committee today in executive
session. Hearings will be arranged
soon Secretary Daniels, bureau chiefs
and officers who have been on duty
abroad will be called.
Excitement ran high in official gov
ernment circles today following the
charges OF Major General William
Crozier, chief Of ordnance, placing re-
sponsibilfty for the shortage in ma
chine guns upon the secretary of war.
Announcement was made this morn
ing that statements regarding the pro-
spective delivery OF rifles, considered
confidential by the war department,
and other matters have been given out
by General Crozier at an executive
session OF the senate committees in
quiry into the alleged delays in sup
plying the United States war army.
A reply to CroZier's statements was
made last night by Newton d. Baker,
secretary of war. Although not al
tempting TO excuse entirely the delays
that have occurred, Secretary Baker
gave assurance that the situation Is
much improved.
The denomination Of General Gro
zier as chief of ordnance will probably
not be confirmed by the senate until
the probe into the affairs Of the war
department is completed.
A spectacular climax was reached In
yesterdays proceedings when General
Crozier placed the blame for alleged
delays upon Secretary Baker. The
charges were made in the following
manner. s.. .
General Crozier: Il am not satisfied
myself"
Senator Chamberlain: Who is re-
sponsibleF" -rs ...
General Crozier: The secretary OF
war. The responsibility 10 with him,
Ii had to be upon someone, and he Is
responsible for the machine gun tests.
The program was not that Of the ord
nance department" r.,
Admits Responsibility.
Secretary Baker declared late yes
terday that the supply of small arms,
machine guns, machine rifles and
cannon will be adequate for the use
OF the men by the time they reach
France. He also intimated that ade-
quate supplies will be forthcoming
for training camps.
81 have not seen General Crozier'st.
testimony" he said. Therefore ] cam
not discuss II. II Is perfectly true,
however, that ! am responsible for
everything that goes on in the wal
department. II Is also true that have
taken q particular personal interest
in the plans for machine guns.
81 will say. this, that every manu-
featuring facility In the United States
capable OF making machine guns Is
now turning them out at its full ca
pacity. We are turning out as many
types as pass our requirements and
n q number as large as possible"
Baker was asked whether this ca
pacity was sufficient to meet the re.
Quirements of the army. He did not
answer this question, but said:
"The facilities are being rapidly in.
creased
sHeated" Exchanges
General Crozier's examination today
went further into details OF the rifle
and machine gun situations. Several
senators sharply questioned him IN
what were described as somewhat
heated" exchanges. Some of the men,
bers were said to be inclined to at
tribute to General Crozier himself re-
sponsibility for the reduction OF so
per cent In rifle production of private
plantA due to the change In type.
FdAsire TO use appropriations for
the purpose intended was developed
from General Crozier. In particular
an appropriation Of $4,000, 900 made
In August, 1916, for small arms and in.
tended by congress for rifles, Gener-
"a Crozier said was used for pistols.
some at high royalties from private
contracts.
General Crozier reiterated that rifle
production will increase so that no
American troops sent abroad win be
without surplus arms and that soon
there viii be ample for training pur.
poses.