New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-23
Investigation Should Inspire
l Confidence, Not Create Alarm

4NOl NICdAC Ehldiiu
Investigation. agrees "The Christian
Science Monitor" should by all means
go on. Investigation, if conducted with
an eye single to the welfare of the ma
ton and the Allied cause, should inspire
confidence rather than create alarm"
The admissions made are disquieting,
adds The New York Tribune, yet
at is better that the country should know
the truth; for il is evident that only the
truth can stir US out Of the false complo-
cercy with which We have regarded our prog
ress toward even a moderate measure Of
military efficiency. Too many OF us have
believed in miracles so far as the funda-
mentals Of military preparation are con-
cerned.'
A condemnatory note is not lacking.
"The Springfield Republican" pointing
out the fact that "the Germans do not
muckrake their unsuccessful officials and
generals while the battle is on warns
against depressing the public too much.
Very naturally General Crozier and
Secretary Baker draw some criticism de-
spite the view Of "The Cincinnati Times
Star" that il is "a little early to pass
upon the work of our present Secretary
of War. II is our impression that he has
done surprisingly we'll in his great task"
But THE Boston Transcript" is less
charitable. "Crozier must 60" is its
slogan.
General Crozier, according TO The
Providence Journal" Stands convicted
out of his own mouth" His testimony,
agrees 1.-THE Kansas City Star" sis that
of man who was overwhelmed by tho
size of his job" "The Stars" transition
to criticism of Secretary Baker naturally
follows:
"Who is responsible for this misft? Just
one man, the Secretary of War; This is
merely another piece OF evidence that Seere.
tary Baker himself is misplaced at the head
Of the War Department"
Mr.. Bakers pacifst disposition fur.
nished material for both "The Chicago
Tribune" and 1.-THE New York Evening
Sun" to comment upon. This war;"
says "The Tribune"
Baker nor Mr.. Wilson is going 20 stop the
German army with barrage Of noble utter
ances. Victory is not matter Of argument.
It is matter Of fighting hard. and lighting
now. The trouble with the Administration
is that IL Is still saturated with the pacifsm
which prevented il from preparing for war
while its diplomacy, 70 say nothing OF the
current Of events, was carrying us inexor.
ably into war. IL is still hoping that IL
can make war without fighting"
Says "The SUM-" with the air of one
telling a bitter truth:
at is impossible for citizens not TO won-
der whether Mr. Bakers plan of putting low
price above speedy and abundant product Is
not an exemplfcaton Of the working Of
the pacifst mind, which, naturally, holds the
economic rather than the belligerent view
point"
The Investigations have also brought
forth any number of interesting sugges-
lions from the press. A Secretary of
Munitions is wanted by THE Philadel-
phia Inquirer" "a practical man with the
vide experience Of actual army service,
not q professor from an inland college.
such as is Fuel Administrator Garfield, or
civilian from Western city who is
pacifst at heart, IS is Secretary Baker.
A man of the calibre Of General Leonard
Wood would fiji the bill"
"The Washington Post" would help
solve the railroad situation by making
Secretary McAdoo railway controller.
George Creel and his bureau need inves-
tigation, according TO "The New York
Evening Telegram" which thinks creeps
department has become "a department
for the transmission Of inconsequential
piffle."
/ Quite the most novel suggestion is that
of THE Baltimore American" which
would help solve the coal problem BY
having every passenger train haul g
couple Of coal cara" 4