Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-01-12
WAR HEAD REMAINS SERENE
Senator's Of Both Parties Dis
agree With His Stated
Facts on Preparations.
WOULD MlSLEAD, DECLARED
Deliveries Of Machine Guns for
Training Purposes IL
Fully Discussed.

| WARRINGTON. Jan. u.-Defici.
oncieS In army equipment we're tho
subject OF sharp cross- examination OF
secretary Baker today before the
sehhto military committee
For three hours the war depart-
mcnt's head was under rapid fire
questioning. both from Democrats ana
Republicans who frequently ex-
pressed disapproyal OF conditions dis-
closed. Sometimes they nauy dis
hgreed with the aocretary's assertions
and pointed TO testimony previously
heard TO contradict him
Apparently little rnffled by tho
vigorous qulszlng Mir Baker reiter,
ated his formal statement Of ycster-
| day mat supplies are substantially
adequate for initial rush needs"
'LulIcd Counir, Ia sleep"
committeeman Insisted that his
| statement was misleading TO the coun-
! Try even tho unintontionul and gave
| thc public wrong impression of con-S
| ditlOns Senator Weeks declared IL
had 'lulled the country to sleeps'
Secretary Baker explained that
what he meant when no spoke Of ado.
quate supplies was that all troops
who go abroad to actaal fighting arc
and viii be amply equipped. In rc-
! PershlnK iN short Of motop trucks
Shortages In this country below
estimated needs OF February, no sum-
marl2ed AK follows
Saddles, so per cent. saddle
blankets. 40 per cent, chnteens 40
| per cent. with large deficiencies OF
pistols and cartridge belts ua well ns
small arms ammunition.
Statements ~ the secretary that
| a.
| Browning machine gun would begin
next month were sharply challenged
by Senator Hitchcock, who said tho
secretary's figures were four times
greater than General Crozier's and
| that the discrepancy wns ''astound-
ing" Secretary Baker promised fur.
| ther examination OF the dscrep-
ancies.
The shortage OF machine guns In
training cantonments. Mr.. Baker said
was not surprising Under the condl-
| tons Mr. Hitchcock nsscrtN and
Mr. Haker denied that contraSls for
I.owis machine guns we're made
tardily
Chairman Chamberlain challenging
the secretary's tntement regarding
adequacy of rifle supplies nj canton
+ ments inserted that lack ~ machine
guns and trucks are delaying train
ing work.
Failure 10 prcnare for war was
brought up by Senntor WadHworth
and Secretary I,nker Insisted that
needs for preparedness In 1919 were
a. obviUis to congress as 10 the ex
ecntive branch Even this. he cup
ceded, would have made larger mill
tory appropriations advisable
Attends Cabinet Meeting
Mr.. Baker left the stand early 10
attend a cabinet meeting He will be
back tomorrow for further cross cS
animation
A letter modifying his testimony
that shOddy had not been used IN navy
garments was received during thr day
by Chairman Chamberlain from Pas -
master. General McGcwun Of the
navy when before the committee
the rear admiral said no shoddy had
been used Thru further invesugn-
( ton after he testified he wrote to-
day he found that comparauvch
small order that had been given for
| ovnrconts contained 35 per cent of
| shoddy specified for army garment
/ hy the eupplics committee Of tn
council of national defense.
when Secretary Hakcr's cNamina-
/ lion was resumed today by the senate
war inquiry committee. Chairman
| Cham berlain said there were fears for
! powder production.
The situation is satisfactory and
| think supplies are and VIII cnntnue
ADEQUATE" replied Secretary Hak"r
Senator Wudsworth asked ahuu tn
board OF labor standards which ten
tlniony las said has pdcI.sts and 500.
cialisls among its members ana "a
requiring nuW sperif cations ln arm,
cloth contracts which VIII reduce pro
duction,
II know their character and ,Nper
qualifications we'll" said Secretary
Baker IN defense OF the board.
Senator WadswO.vh said the board
requirements were so rlRid that pro
auction OF army garments wac being
delayed.
ANY delay is slight. Secretary Rak-
or said. and the hcalth ,f factory
workers is an Important consider.
tion.
u must disagree with YOU that The
delay is slight saJd Senator N'ds
worth
senptor wadsworth sJid witness
had testified the board 3 S--ss.'-'r rart
standards nnrcoten 10 cause FrriFcf
and reguir% employers 10 receive Ian
or nHdors he through labor HSita-
tors would stir up trouble
Mr. Rakcr donied knowledge that
any considerable number Of contract
ors were refusing 20 execute con
tracts because Of the new labor stand
ards
Senutar Weeks cited the general
ordnance shortage NJ Camp Bowie
Texas testified to 10y Major General
Grebie Commandant
You have given the IMPRESSION
that every camA has enough rifles"
Senator Weeks observed How can
YOU conform that 10 the stn tement
nnA-rINr-Nrt nNrn.. lnr aENNE