Bisbee daily review., 1918-01-13
WAR HEAD IS
NOT III FAVOR
Of PROPOSED
LEGISLATION
Secretary Baker Declares He
is Against Bill w Whic h
Would Create Minister of
Munitions IN the Country.


WASHINGTON. jan ~12.-SecreJ2ry
Baker in the course Of another vigor-
Gus. cross examination before the sen
ate investigating committee today
voiced strong opposition 10 the crea-
ton of q department of munitions and
was further criticized by senators for
broad. general statements regarding
adequacy CT army equipment which
Chairman Chamberlain said would
'lun the country into feeling Of Sc
cuTity"
Mr.. Bakers opposition to a muni-
tions department followed that ex-
pressed TO house leaders yesterday by
President Wilson Il was based, the
secretary said. upon the fact that the
recent reorganization OF the war de-
partment viii meet all requirements
and give better efficiency and that
the position of minister of munition
would impose an impossible task"
sIndustriaI Dictator
While senators tsronsly criticized
the REORGANIZATION of the department
as detailed BY the secretary, thus pre-
saying a possible conflict later al the
capitol over legislation the commit
tee has announced it win press. it
was decided 10 investigate further
oreration OF the department under
the reorganization plan before inter
rupting the inquiry TO champion Sen
ator Chamberlain's bill for a minister
of munitions and other measures. In
opposing Senator Chamberlain'S bill.
NJ. Baker said the minister Of NUM-
tions would be an -idrstTisl dictator"
and that no human being could be
found 10 decide all the questions il
would present"
The secretary slso pointed out that
his Judgment on military matters
would be subservient to that of the
munitions director and insisted that
the recent department reorsaniZation
is virtually similar to the navy's de-
par,ment's system and also the Brit
ish munitions dictatorship.
Chairman Chamberlain and senators
McKellar. Hitchcock. WadswOrth.
Weeks and New were among those
taking issue with the secretary re
gariing the adequacy of the reorgEn-
ization of the war department but
they admitted il was an improvement
over the old system Senators Beck
man and Kirby expresses satisfaction
with the new plan.
Ry Common Consent.
In detailing the reorganization. SeN-
retary Baker said the war industries
beard. BY authority OF common con-
sent if not technical legal power,
would become the supreme srbiting
authority in co-ordinating industrial,
needs Of the war and added that Pres
ident Willard of the beard. and Cen
eral GSethals. acting Quartermaster
general. approved the plan
Questioned by the senators. Mr.
Baker admitted that under the new
army supply department. the ord
nance. Quartermaster. medical. avia-
tiOn and engineer bureaus would do
separate purchasing. but said il
would be cO-Ordinoted and directed.
This feature was sharply criticized
by committee members as falling to
improve munitions affairs.
Secretady Bakers statements re-
sariing sufficieRcv OF supplies were
criticized by Chairman Chamberlain
and Senators Hitchcock Mcclellan.
Weeks and Others. Mr.. Chamberlain
said the country would believe that
everything had been done which
should have been accomplished.
I don't think Il has" he sddei
i think the country is entitled 10
feel secure" Mr. Baker replied. ad-
ding that when all the facts are known
a feeling of security will be Justified.