The Washington herald., 1918-02-07
BAKER HALTS
REVELATIONS
TO SENATORS
Committee Agrees to Con-
duct Its Inquiry Behind
Closed Doors Hereafter.

The big drive contemplated by Sem
ator Hitchcock. of Nebraska. upon
Secretary Of War Bakers statement
about one and one-half million men in
France in 1913 did not 20 over the
top today. The Nebraska Senator
prodded hard at the Secretary before
the Senate Military Affairs Committee
But II was decided that the matter
should be discussed In executive ses-
sion tomorrow.
? Senators Kirby. Of Arkansas. Beck
Ss-a. of Kentucky. and Reed. OF Mis-
Ssuri. all members Of the committee,
>sisted upon this. Senator Kirby
made several attempts to close the
doors during the session.
The argument was made that discus
sion Of available ship tonnage would
disclose information Of military value,
Baker Was willing.
Secretary Bacon said he could easily
give his reasons for his calculations.
If the committee will go into the
othsr room with me will give my
basis in three statements" he de-
Clared
The hearing was again held in the
large committee room in the Senate
ONCE Building. and as usual q crowd
was present, composed chiefly OF
women.
The fact that the Secrtary appeared
in this partiular room instead Of the
committees regular Eaeeting place
brought out some peppery inter-
changes. Senator Reed said he con-
sidered 1t unfair to question the Sec
retary "in a large auditorium filled
tor Weeks reminded Senator Reed that
the Missouri man had objected to this
place being selected.
Not = Passing show.
Il. too, think it unsuitable" said
Mr.. Weeks. This Is not a passing
show. But the Secretary himself
asked for a larger room"
Charges of treason and pro-Ger-
manism among army officers and
enlisted men caused q small sem
sation- But Senator Reed closed
the lid on this matter by saying
it was not fair to insinuate that
the army was disloyal and that the
subject should not be talked of eN-
cept in "inner circles"
1t the end Of his testimony the
Secretary was asked many ques>
tiOns on his ideas of reorganiza-
tion for governmental departments
He said that it would be well IL
the President was free to consoli-
date. coordinate and transfer gov
ernmental agencies. This state
ment was. il turned out, a precur-
sOr of the startling bill introduced
by the administration
Baker to Reappear.
Secretary Baker will not return to
the stand for several days, and when
he does appear it will be in executive
session. Today General Weaver, now
head of the Ordnance Bureau. will
talk to the committee behind closed
doors
Senator Kirby Is prepared to speak
today in the Senate on the side of the
ADMINISTRATION So is Senator Shields,
"T Tennessee. Carter Glass, Of Vir-
-inia. will speak for the administra-
jiOn i'm the House. 1t Is said that Sem
s.tor Chamberlain. whose New York
pceCh brought the whole controversy
jp sharp focus. will make another
-peeCh soon in the Senate.
During the tilt in committee Sem
"tOr Weeks suggested that the
hole shipping matter be postponed
Eulll lne secret session.
tive calm was restored. but the at
mosphere was still electric.
If there's nothing else, l sug-
Scst adjournment said Senator
Kirby suddenly.
Chamberlain Inquiries.
Trying to pull us Off?" inquired
senator Chamberlain.
Not at all, but"
The last of Senator Kirby's re-
mark was lost as Senator Weeks
stated he had a letter saying an army
officer and chaplain had been sent
back from France because of pro-
German utterances. Just as Secre-
tary Baker finished saying he had
heard OF the officers case, Senator
Reed and Senator Weeks had their
colloquy about the use of the large
committee room.
TIE TnunI rDUEn