Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-01-25
# President and Secretary
Baker Think Best Interest Of
Country Being Served They
DON'T Know Truth, Ayers,
SHORTCOMINGS OF
DEPARTMENT Barred
Now No Time for Friction, but
Failures Should Be Correct
ed, Not Concealed, Declares
Oregon Senator.


Washington, Jan. 24.--In a dramatic
three-hour speech to the senate today,
Senator Chamberlain, chairman of
the military committee, replied to
President Wilson's statement that he
had distorted the facts in charging
that the government had broken down
in its war preparations. He declared
the president has grossly maligned
him, and not only defended, but en-
phatically reiterated his assertions,
made in a recent address in New
York. He said the president did not
know the truth, and that he did.
The senator disclaimed any personal
rancor against either the president or
Secretary Baker, saying his only mo-
tives were patriotic, to rouse the coun-
try and to speed up the war by wiping
out inefficiency. In support of his
position he cited numerous incidents
OF alleged inefficiency in connection
with army ordnance, ciorhing sup
plies and sanitation brought out dur
ing the military committees war in
quiry
Galleries Packed.
Senator's and many representatives
crowded the floor, and the galleries
were packed. He began quietly, de-
claring it was with feeling of sad
ness that he found it necessary to rise
to question of personal privilege to
defend his veracity and integrity,
heretofore unassailed, but as he
lounched into the speech he grew
emphatic and at times vehement.
When the Oregon senator conclud-
ed, Senator Kirby, member of the
military committee, replied on behalf
of the administration, flatly contra
dieting the chairman's assertion that
facts brought out in the investigation
proved the war department ineffi-
cient.
Then the senate adjourned until
Monday to cut off further discussion.
Replies to Be Made.
There was no comment at the white
house on the Chamberlain speech. II
is known, however, that administra-
ton replies are to be made soon by
Senator James in the senate and Rep
resentative Dent of Alabama, chair
man of the military committee, and
Representative Glass of Virginia, in
the house. Secretary Baker probably
will make his own answer Saturday
when he appears before the house
committee.
The senate committees bill for a
war cabinet, about which the con-
troversy centers, was referred with
out objection today to the military
committee. The understanding is that
it also will be referred to the naval
committee later.
VIII Defy President.
Senator Chamberlain detailed in his
l. M
army inefficieney. He asserted that
not only was the president Ignorant
of the truth about conditions, but
that Secretary Baker also was mis-
led, challenging the senate and the
country to inquire and then deny ms
assertions Despite the presidents
opposition, he declared that commit
tees army investigation would pro-
ceed and the committee plans to re-
sumo it's inquiry tomorrow.
Kirby DenOunces Speech.
Senator Kirby called Senator Cham
berlain's speech the condemnation
of his judgment" and challenged his
procedure in saying what he did 1T
the New York speech.
Senator Kirby maintained that the
chairman of the military committee
nave lSpOIlcu W Liic Ioiiiihoh
der-in-chief he believed the ex'
animation had disclosed a dangerous
situation rather than to carry it to the
senate floor first in a speech.
Senator Kirby, defending the ad
ministration, admitted there was q
shortage of military equipment sucf
as trench mortars and machine guns
but added preparations were beint
made to deliver in quantity mex
month. Every man that had beer
sent to France had been properly
equipped, he said
Admits Charges True.
There hasn't been enough rifles ir
the camps recently because they
couldn't be manufactured in suffi.
cient quantities" he said ''The wal
department has done we'll and rifles
are in the hands of the soldiers now,
he said.
Concluding his reply to. Senator
Chamberlain. Senator Kirby declared
that the military department had rot
fallen down and that where deficien,
cies occurred they had been remedied
by volunteer boards composed of tht
best talent in the country.
Because leaders desired to prevent
further debate the senate adorned
until Monday.
Senator Chamberlain declared ht
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