The Washington times., 1917-11-28
BAKER SAYS PULL
NDR|CHES DONDT
WIN COMMISSIONS
By DAVID LAWRENCE.

to meet these charges. VIII you not,
In the interest OF a military unity
that knows no dissension. give me q
statement that will meet the fears Of
those boys to whom I have referred,
and one that may use in the House
II am ever called upon to do so?'s
Secretary Bakers Reply.
The Secretary OF War replied:
'T have received your letter OF No
vember 10, in which you tell me that
the fear exists In the minds of some
young men lest riches or pull may
swerve the current OF promotion
aside from merit and secure advance
ment for less worthy men
Frankly, Il seems to me that your
letter itself illustrates the answer to
these fears. 1Or you tell me OF q
young laundryman taken from the
ranks OF drafted men and given q lieu-
tenants commission "a young ma
chinist taken from q small nearby
factory and similarly commissioned
and the son Of q rich shoe manufac-
turer, without practical making ex-
perience. given stripes OF some kind
Of an inspector Of shoemaking.'
Surely. two. at least. of these three
cases cannot be explained on the
ground OF riches. and I can scarcely
Imagine the explanation OF pull In
either OF them. The fact IL. that no
body in America can tell from what
walk OF life talent and capacity nav
rise. / should be sorFy to see ayoung
man Of fortune, who had used his op-
portunities to fit himself to render
service to his country. Disseminated
against because Of his riches, and I
should be sorry to see q poor boy neg
Iected because OF his poverty bnt.
most a all. 1 should be humiliate4
and ashamed to see pull in the sens1
OF personal importantly or personal or
social friendship, affect these grave
matters
ABILITY to Serve wins.
'T know that in Washington the
seriousness OF this struggle has too
far impressed US all to permit US to
think Of any other principle Of selec-
tion than ability to serve. and when
my attention has been called TO cases
Of selection which seem to involve
some other consideration investiga-
tion has always dissipated suspicion
However, I realize that In 50 vast
and intricate an organization as the
army 1t Is always possible for things
to go amLss, and I Will. welcome all
evidence which will enable me to In
yestigate and correct any differences
which may arise. This does not mean
that we,can make. the necessary selec-
tions without error for that would
be too much to hope, but that we
can make them without intending
error Is the least that we ought to-
expect OF ourselves.
"In the particular cases You have
given me OF the young men who are
in the service and are fearful Of q
lack OF opportunity, I can only say
that, as they are now in q military
camp. they will be given an oppor-
tunity by competition and compart
son with their associates to rise to
positions OF responsibility and com
mand.
sChanee VIII COne."
'It sometimes happens that large
in private lack some essential
10 successful administration In mill.
tary affairs, and success in other
walks Of life Is no certain guarantee
of success as a soldier. but you will
De safe in advising all such young
men to do their duty bravsly and
and to rest content in the
belief that their chance win come to
how what they can do.
'The wholesomest state OF mind for
.hese young men will be one In which
hey are not seeking to establish
between themselves and
,thers. for their judgment will natur-
lily be biased in such an. EFFORT. but
o seek to establish a just Judgment
Is between the best they are capable
u ana what they actually do. and a.
hey approach their maximum Of out
tut they will not be long undiscov.
red by their military superiors. for
'ur search for such young men II
onstant"