The Washington times., 1918-01-10
SENATE WAR
PROBERS GET
FULL REVIEW
OFWARMOVES


history of the world has ever been
raised, equipped, or trained SO
quickly" as the present American
army, Secretary Baker today told
Senate military probers, investigat-
ing his department.
Pointing to the fact that in nine
months all branches of the army had
grown from 1924 officers to 11o,s56
officers, and from 2O2,51O men to
1,42s,650 men, he answered his crit
les with a broad gauge outline of
work accomplished work which
he held to show the splendid eff
fectiveness" of the American people.
American accomplishments, he
said. are such as to depress German
morale "when the Germans realize
that the American democracy has
neither Numbered nor hesitated, but
has actually brought the full power
of it's men and resources into COM
pletely organized strength against
their military machine
Camp Health Better.
Health in camps is rapidly improy-
ing: the clothing shortage is practi-
cally met: the death rate is lower
than in civil life; further increments
OF the army "can be adequately equip
ped and trained as rapidly as those
already in training can be transport
ed" he declared.
All this, he added, had been &C
compIished without serious industrial
disIocation; the spirit OF the army is
high; II il we'll fed; all kinds OF
gums are available for every soldier
who can be gotten to France in the
year 1915" and great programs for
the manufacture OF additional equip
ment and for the production Of new
instruments of war have been formu-
lated"
Baker did not answer criticisms in
detail in his preliminary statement.
As for the ordnance department, he
pointed to lack Of experts available,
and to the tremendous expansion re-
auired at the start of the war.
Tells Of War Council
The war council, he announced, will
add army officers and men from civil
life from time to time. Reorgsniza-
don Of the ordnance branch is well
under way, while the Quartermaster
branch is undergoing shifts in which
army men and civilians will be util-
GEed.
It was anticipated, too. that Baker
u. l.
plans for centralizing purchases and
supplies. As for the Council OF Ma
tionaI Defense and War Industries
Board, he felt they had hIled i'm
portant inches.
Baker asked the cooperation and |
advice of the military probers. but. !
without apology for shortcomings, he |
said. in conclusion:
GCan See Situation"
I'VE can now see the entire situs- F!
ton. The initial rush needs are sub !
stantialIy supplies. The technical
corps have been expanded, and re-
organized upon industrial and /.
ally needs with our own purchases !
has been effected. An agency exists !
to prevent conflicts and to adjust /
those which cannot be prevented.
BY the cooperation OF all interests I
and all people in the country, the |
nation Is now organized and set tod
its task with unanimity of spirit and |
confidence in its powers.
More has been done than anybody 4
dared to believe possible.
That there. have been here and /
there errors of judgment and delays
goes without saying, but ! should be
wanting in frankness were I 10 omit !
my own estimate of the real unset
fishness and intelligence with which I
my associates, military and civilian.
have applied themselves TO this I'M
dertAking. and the results demon
strate the success OF their efforts"
Figures show Progress.
MassinG figures - show the Ameri-
ian progress. Baker suggested to the
committee. inferentially. that they
lad dwelt on details. which. though
important. obscured the bigness Of
q ne task done.
THE death rate IN our forces in
the United States" Baker said. from
to the end OF DeCem-
Der. averaged I5 per thousand. and
~ slightly less than would have been .
ne death rate OF men OF the same ,
-