Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-01-25
Edward r. Stettinius Ap.
pointed Surveyor General
of Army Purchases.
FOR BUYER FOR
ENTENTE NATIONS
Action Of War Secretary May influence
. Proposed War Legislation Eliminating
From Senate Military Committee
Secretary Baker Will Reply to Crit
icism Of Senator Chamberlain Before
Both Houses Of Congress.

Washington, Jan. 25.-Edward r.
appointed as surveyor general for all
army purchases.
Secretary Baker in making the an
nouncenient said:
Mr.. Edward r. StetInius was ap-
pointed surveyor general of all army
purchases. He will be in charge of all
purchases by the five army bureaus:
Ordnance. quartermaster. signal. ensi-
neer and medical. 1t will be his duty
to coordinate such purchases and pro-
perly relate the same to industry to the
end that the army program be develop
ed under comprehensive plan.
Since the outbreak Of the war Mr..
Stcttinius has been in sole charge Of
the allied purchases in this country HIS
intimate knowledge Of war canditions
In Europe and in the United States as
related to industry pre- eminently
qualify him for his position. He will
assume his new duties at once and es-
tablish his office in Washington"
Baker to Address Congress.
Secretary Baker today asked Sena-
tor Chamberlain to arrange an occas-
ion when all members OF congress who
may be disposed to do so may hear a
statement in reply to the senator 8
charges OF lnefficiency in the army.
Secretary Baker sent the following
letter to the senator:
"My dear Senator ChanA,erlain:
"The questions which have ayisen
with regard to the conduct Of the war
require an explicit statement from me
for the information of your committee
and generally for the information Of
congress. .and the country.
II feel that in, Justice I owe such a
statement to the splendid men and Of
ficers OF the army who have forgotten
themselves and labored with self
sacrifice and, as think success In the
building o ia great army.
1T Is due also to the great number
Of men Of business and affairs who
have accepted the invitation Of the de-
partment to come to Washington to
assist in the work in hand And the
people Of the country are entitled at
lease to have a summary Of what has
been done.
II, therefore. request that your COM
mittee arrange an opportunity for me
to make such a statement and that
time and place be fixed so as to enable
all members of the senate and the
house of representatives who are so
disposed as to attend.
IF this request can be complied with
shall be happy to be advised at your
earliest convenience as to the time and
place"
Chairman Chamberlain submitted the
secretary's request to the committee,
which considered 1t later today.
Administration Answer to Senate.
His appointment to the new rost,
which is in effect that Of munitions
supervisor, was viewed as the answer
of the administration to the munitions s
ministry bill in the senate. It effects
complete consolidation Of all war
supply questions under a surveyor
general.
When the European war broke out
in 1914 and the allied governments, par
ticularly Great Britain. came to the
United States for munitions and money,
it was found necessary by J. 2. Nor
gan & Co., who floated allied loans in
ILLS SouHtiy, " CeitidliHe expenditures
under one man in order to attain salts
factory results. Mr.. Stettinius was the
man chosen.
Mr.. Stettinius was not a member of
the firm Of Morgan & Co. at the be-
ginning Of the war, but was president
of the Diamond Match Company and
connected with other corporations. He
Is Il native Of ST. Louis and born of
American pQrentage.
!. Senator Chamberlain said the ap-
pointment would not cause the com
mittee to halt it's proposal for muni-
tions director, altho he and other COM
mittee members regarded the appoint
ment in the progress Of reorganization