South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-26
Baker to Make Reply Monday;
Will Give Senate Committee
EveryFact on War Work Done
Press Service /:

Assoc iateu IreSs Service.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-The
administration answer 10 Sen
Chamberlain's speech in the senate
Thursday on war department short
shortcomings will be made By
Sec'y Baker before the senate mill
tary committee Monday.
Mr.. Baker wrote Chairman
Chamberlain Friday asking the COM
mittee 10 arrange an opportunity for
him 10 present a summary of what
has been done in America in the
war, and that a time and place bA
fixed so as 10 enable all members Of
congress so disposed 10 attend. The
committee considered the request IN
executive session and determined
not 20 have a hearing anywhere ex-
cept in the regular committee room
but sent the secretary a copy OF =
resolution inviting him 10 appear
there Monday morning at 1890
o'clock unless he desired an earlier
date.
Although he is anxious TO address
as many members of congress as
possible and is said TO have hoped
that he might be invited To appear
before the senate itself it is under
stood Mr.. Baker Will take the op-
portuniIy given. He has cancelled
an engagement to meet Saturday
the house military committee
Baker Asks Meeting.
The Baker letter was as fol-
lows.
"Aly dear Sen. Chamberlain:
The questions which have
arisen with regard 10 the con-
duct Of the war require an
explicit statement from me for
the information of your COM
mittee, and generally, for the
information of congress and the
country.
'I feel that in justice | owe
such a statement to the splen-
did officers and men of the
army who have forgotten them
selves and labored with such
sacrifice. and, I think, success,
i'm the building of a great army.
IL is due also to the great num-
Der of men of business and OF
affairs who have accepted the
invitation of the war depart
ment 10 come TO Washington
and brought their business eX-
perience. their talent. and their
judgment 10 aid in public af-
fairs. And I think the people Of
the country are entitled to have
at large a summary Of what has
been done by America in the
, war
"T. therefore. respectfully re-
quest that your committee ar
range an opportunity for me to
make such a statement. and
that the time and place he fix
ed as 10 enable all members Of
the senate and the house Of
representative who are so
disposed to attend.
eff this request can be COM
piled with I shall be happy TO
he advised at your earliest con-
venience OF the time and place.
Cordially yours.
NEWTON ID. BAKER"
The committee adopted the fol-
lowing resolution submitted by Sen.
Reed:
Resolved. that the chairman be
tftA AtSAtu 10 ItRAN 10 TIE SNNi OAtiA
Of wars communication by inviting
him 10 appear before the commit
tee next Monday morning at 1880
o'clock unless he requests an earlier
date. the place of meeting TO be the
room Of the committee"
Chamberlain May Cross Examine.
Chairman Chamberlain said later
the committee had extended the war
secretary all courtesy within the
rules and regulations of the com
mittee i'm conducting its delibera-
tions "I assume" he added I'VE
will have the right of cross eXami-
nation The secretary did not ask
20 correct his previous statement
regarding general conditions. Ordi-
narily a witness would not be re-
called except AT the request OF the
CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE)