The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-02-13

to France, the Senate military com- mittee practically finished yesterday the inquiry it began two months ago into the war department and it's con duct of the war. Chairman Chamber lain announced that the statement probably would make it unnecessary for the committee to hear MT. Baker again.
 From members of the committee it was learned that while MT. Baker stood by his previous opinion that only two tons gross or 1.6 tons net are required annually to maintain each man in France. he did not contend that 100000 American soldiers could be maintained there with the present shipping facilities He ex- pressed the hope, however, of obtain ing more vessels from Americas al- lies.
 Gives Tonnage Details. The information which Secretary Baker laid before the Senate mili- tary committee was compiled largely by the General Staff. It gave full details of both American and Allied I tonnage available for troops and sup plies. The statement, it is reported, showed that there is less than 1, ,4OO,- 900 tons of American shipping now available which is under the figure conceded by Senator Hitchcock in his recent criticism of the Secretary of War.
 Members of the committee also pointed out that MT. Bakers estimate that transports can make the trip to France and back in 50 days has been exceeded It was said further that the statement showed that in some instances ships of 5000 to 10000 ton mage carried only 5000 to 5000 tons of freight.
 While MT. Baker probably will not be questioned by the committee again and nothing further will be made public regarding his statement, Sen ator Weeks is planning to make. speech challenging some of the fig ures and conclusions set forth by the | Secretatry of War. A speech in de- fense of MT. Baker and in reply to Senator Hitchcock will be made on Thursday by Senator James of Ken lucky.
 A public statement authorized to- day by Secretary Baker in explana- ton of the reorganization of the Gen. | eraI Staff is devoted largely to a dis l cussion of the new system of pur- chases evolved for the army.
 He makes it clear that the reor- ganized General Staff is primarily a military organization, although pro vision is made for civilian officials and 1 employees. Each of the five divisions will be headed by an army officer with powers to act for the Secretary red tape.
 Stettinius Remains Civilian. MT. Baker said he was confident 1 there would be no friction betweeT Edward R. Stettinius and Brig. Gen Palmer B. Pierce, Director of Pur' chases and Supplies. MT. Baker also said in answer to a question, tha1 for the present at least MT. stettiniuE would continue as civilian
 The statement follows:
 'The function of MT. Stettinius vii be largely that of a surveyor of thu industrial field and an accelerator ot war supplies. He is to be largely in strumental in maintaining an ever flow of production to the purchasing agencies of the War Department is within his province to keep tracf of the capacity and production of con tractors. If there are changes il the requirements of the American ex peditionary forces, orders for thes' ! oIo 1oA h. line by Mr. Stettinius, so that tht production may be in accord with th' demand. MT. Stettinius will alst watch closely the transportation anC shipping situation in order that thu production and deliveries of war ma terials may properly proceed.
 Surveying Eye'' of Staff.
 ''1n other words, MT. Stettinius. 2 business man and purchasing agen of vast experience, may figurativel! be called the surveying eye for tn
 director of purchases and supplies who is a military officer and assistan to the chief of staff. MT. Stettiniui will endeavor to mobilize industry fo1 the war needs of the department anC when a certain article is required h. will know where that article may bt
 readily obtained and the price a which it may be obtained.
 , 'Tn conjunction with the division !, of which Brig. Gen. Pierce is th' !, head, the purchasing agencies of thu ; War Department will continue thai
 operations. It is not intended tho
 the director of purchases and sup plies shall take over the routine pur
 chasing activities of the several bu
 reaus. He will determine prioritie
 of manufacture and purchase ant
 make estimates of requirements. Il this work he will have at his dis posal the knowledge and business ex
 perience of MT. Stettinius. ''If the Ordnance Department, fo
 instance. should require 100000 shell the procedure would be consultatio
 with the surveyor of purchases an
 supplies to ascertain with whom tn order should be placed and when de
 liveries might be expected. The Ord nance Department then would pro
 ceed to purchase the shells, as it ha heretofore, and would draft and exc
 cute a contract for the material. Be fore final ratification, this contrac
 passes through the hands of Brig Gen. Pierce, director of purchases an
 supplies The actual details of tn
 purchase, however, would be handle
 by the Ordnance Department, and i
 the majority of instances the signet contract would be placed before tn