The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-01-13
Charge Secretary Of Hiding
Grave Military Dangers
From Public.
lLULLS COUNTRY INTO
! FEELING OF SECURITY
Chamberlain Says Every.
thing Has Not Been Done
That Was Needed.

Washington. Jan. IL. Secretary
Baker in the course Of another cross-
texamination before the senate investi-
eating committee today. voiced strong
opposition 10 the proposed depa rtn,ent
or munitions and was further criticized
by senators FOR broad general state
ments regarding adequacy of army
equipment. which Chairman Cha rnbcr.
lain said would '1ull the country into
feeling of socurity." MIR. Bakers on :
position TO a munitions department was
explained TO house leaders yesterday
by President Wilson. II was based,
the secretary said ur0n the fact that
the recent re-orga nixation Of the war
department Will meet all requirements
and give better efficiency, and that tho
position Of miniater of munitions would
impose an ''impoAsibie task"
While senators strongly criticized the
orxanizRtton OF tho department rs de.
tailed by the secretary. thus presaglny
conflict later over legislation the
committee hns announced Il will p,ess,
II was decided further to investigate
the operation OF the department under
the reorganization plan before inter-
rhpting the inquiry to champion ssen !
ator Chamberlain's bill for Il minister
OF munitions and other measures.
Approved War Board.
In detailing the reorganization, Rsc.
retary Baker said the war industries
board, by common consent" without
technical legal power, would becors,.
the supreme arbitrating authority In
co-ordinatinE Industrial needs Of the
war, and added that President Willard,
OF the board. and General Goethals,
acting auartcrmaster general. ap-
proved tho plan.
Questioned by senators. Mr. Baker
| admitted that under the new army sup
ply department. the ordna nee. augr,cr-
| masters. medical. aviation and en1i-
ncer bureaus would do separate pur-
| chasing, but said II would f,e 20 -ordi :
| mated and directed. This feature was
| sharply criticized by committee mem
bers as falling To cffec, eentfnlixh tIon
Of munition affairs.
Secretary Bakers statements nc >
| sarding suffictency IS supplies. were
criticized by Chairman Chamberlain
and Senators Hitchcock. Mckellar
| Weeks and others. Mr.. chamberisin in
said the country would believe that
| everything had been done which should
have been accomplished
| Il don't think II bas," he added.
| II think the country In entitled In
feel secure" Mr.. Baker replied. adding
that when all the facts are known. !,
feeling Of security viii be Justified.
Everything Not Lovely
Senator Hitchcock cited specific
shortages Of clothing and ordnance and
said Nj. Bakers statements wouid
leave the impression that everything
LIS lovely, when the facts showed II |,
not" 81
The secretary was questioned foi
nearly two hours regarding supplies
for the American army oyerscas ant
Other confidential anBttera.
During the session Chairman Cham
lain took occasion TO ask why. In hi,
annual report. Mr.. Baker had disa p
proved the senator's bill for unIvarAs
military training. The secretary re.
piled that his principal objection Wal
that sufficient officers could not b,
spared from service TO take charge o
the training.