New-York tribune., 1918-01-12
'Men at Front Supplied,'
Baker Tells Senators
Secretary, Unruffled Under Severe Cross-Ex-
animation, Surprised When Told His Figures
Guns Vary From Those Given by Ordnance Chief

ment that the board was only advisory.
end complained Of the multiplicity Of
rev and special boards and committees.
persons with business are passed
along from corridor to corridor and
building to building trying to find the
right Federal agency with which to do
business" said the Senator.
Turning to artillery. Senator Wads-
worth assailed the ordnance bureau
for not continuing the manufacture of
French 240-millmetrc guns, instead Of
proceeding with the manufacture of
American 9.5 guns. none of which have
been delivered and whose ammunition
is not interchangeable with the French.
Secretary Baker said he thought, but
was not sure, that the department was
making the French type, and promised
to give further information.
There has been no explanation yet
given the committee" said Senator
Wadsworth, pounding the table with
his fist.
Senator Wadsworth asked whether in
view of the shortage of artillery and
machine guns, the Secretary's state
ment that there were sufficient sup
plies substantially for rush needs"
was correst.
eyes, perfectly, as I understand it,"
said Mn Baker. "Our rush needs are
satisfied"
Secretary Chamberlain asked Baker
how he could say that when canton
ments were short rifles and machine
guns and artillery.
II mean that we have sufficient for
the men actually engaged in fighting"
"You mean, then, that there is enough
for men in France" said Senator Nc
Ke1lar.
"Yes," said the Secretary.
Enough for Actual Fighting
"Your statement that we have sub
stantially enough gives a wrong i'm
preston to the country, when we have
only enough for men actually in the
fighting, and not for those in train
ing" Senator Wadsworth interjectcd.
81 agree with Senator Wadsworth," !"
said Chairman Chamberlain, "that your
statement gives a wrong impression
to the country. 1t was not your pur-
pose, but it is it's effect"
"What l meant to say and what
want the country to understand" Mr..
Baker replied earnestly, sis that all
the troops in France will be adequately
equipped with artillery and arms"
Probably" observed Senator Cham
berlan.
Il have assurances to that effect" Mr..
Baker insisted
"Ihe statement leaves the impress
sion that the situation is rosy one,
and that we have all the artillery We
need said. Senator Wadsworth. 81
disagree. 1t is not an accurate descrip-
tion of the situation"
MIR. Baker insisted that his statement
regarding adequacy of ordnance for
rush needs" was substantially correct.
lie admitted that ordnance was needed
Tor training men in camp. Time needed
TO train men in France, he said, will
give time to increase ordnance sup
plies.
Senator Weeks cited the general
ordnance shortage at Camp Bowie,
Texas, testified to by Major General
Greb.e, commandant.
Shortage Corrected
"You have given the impression that
every camp has enough rifles" Senator
Weeks observed. Glow can YOU con-
form that to the statement that there
are no requirements of artillery?"
u didn't make that statement" said
Mr.. Baker.
"You gave that impression"
-! said initial rush needs are filed"
explained Mr.. Baker.
But you ought to define your state
ment; it gives the country the impress
sion that every need in the camps is
supplied" said Mr.. Weeks.
Mr.. Baker said rifle shortages since
General Greble reported had been sub
stant!ally corrected
ut would have been very fortunate
II we could have gotten machine guns
sooner" he added.
"IS there HOV rooc CON u-lr OON II, o.-1 !
be held in storage?" asked Senator
Hitchcock, referring to testimony bv
General Crozier to that effect.
II didn't know that" said Mr.. Baker.
Reverting to delays in machne-gun
deliveries, Senator Hitchcock deplored
tardy contracts for Lewis guns and Mr..
Baker rejoined that a large production
OF Browning guns would begin in Feb
ruary.
This aroused Senator Hitchcock.
'"That isn't so,' he retored sharply
slapping his hands together at the
Secretary. 1--WE won't have a large
quantity before 1919 in actual use. We
haven't one now"
I'VE have nine," Mr. Baker suggest
ed. smiling. Seriously. he added that
production was being speeded up and
that his latest information was that
quantity production of the Browning
| guns would begin in February.
Senators Hitchcock and Weeks both
called the Secretary's attention to testi-
mony of General Crozier and manu-
ffacturers given contracts for the Brown
ing gun that production in quantity
would not begin before April.
Such testimony. Secretary Baker con-
ceded, would be most reliable.
| Secretary Bakers formal statement