The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-04

said that lack of knowledge. lack of
ira nsportation and lack of harmony
between the fuel administration and
other functions Of the government
were the cause of the breakdown. -
IF there had been some author
ity.'' he said, which could have
brought the fuel administration into.
close contact with. the mining and la
Dor interests of the country and with
the war Industries of the country as
well as into contact with the ship
ping board and other branches of the
government, much of the present
breakdown could have been pre-
vented.
Bakers Wild ExagGeration.',
The present condition of our ship
building is nothing less than shock
ing. he said, turning to another an
gle of the situation
"A1l who are informed as to the
present supply of our shipping were
+ hunderstruck at the Statements of
Secretary Baker before the military
affairs committee. -.
His sanguine predictions as to our
ability to ship men to Europe and to
| supply them when they are there, are
exaggerations of the widest sort We
, find that for supply alone it will re-
/ quire five million tons OF shipping in
j constant use. Where is that coming
r
! The SECRETARY of war is so out of
| touch with the shipping board and
shipping authorities and shipping in
J formation that he makes a statemen.
that is absolutely prepcsterous."
Failure to co-ordinateN the ship
ping facilities with other branches, he
| said, had caused two million tons of
! freight to pile up waiting for ships and
| in New orleans last week there were
$4,000 tons of shipping with only 49,
s.f Loo
| them
Hccklcd by Democrats.
Administra ton senators adopted
heckling tactics, repeatedly interrupt
rag Hitchcock to question his state
ments and demand his authority for
these statements.
Senator'S Martin, Hollis. Fletcher
and Williams frequently stopped him.
Martin asked once why Hitchcock had
not called certain matters to the at
tention o. the war department.
1--WE made myself nuisance com
planning to Secretary Baker said
Hitchcock.
/ Senator williams several times
Questioned his authority and finally
was told by Hitchcock that he was
cleaving to the truth" in all he was
saying
Proves Fl Million Shoes Order.
Senator Williams, of Mississippi, an
ator Hitchcock for his authority for a
7 statement that 2t000,O00 pairs OF
shoves have been ordered. Senator
/ Hitchcock said it came from civilian
officials in high positions.
'"Then it's mere hearsay after ALL
Senator Williams replied. The Ne
braska senator added he understood
seven million more pairs had beer
ordered, and he hoped the allies
would take some of them off oui
hands"
| When Senator Hitchcock said hi
was advised that large quantity Of
meat on a ship had been spoiled by g
blunder in turning off a refrigera
ton plant, Democratic Leader Martin
asked the authority for the statement
Senator Hitchcock said it was widely
published and never denied. Senator
Weeks, Republican of the militar,
, | committee, said the quartermastel
general had admitted il. Senator
williams demanded that Senator
Hitchcock disclose the names of hi
, infornants in all cases, and Senate
Hitchcock declined.
Senator Williams then replied tina
: in accordance with legal practice III
would ''enter a general denia..
And l shall leave IT TO the jury
reioined senator Hitchcock.
In support OF Senator Hitchcock
/ statement on shoes ordered. senate
t Mcclellan. anotlier-Democrit enloe
: of the military committee. cited testi
1 mony of the quarterllsi ster genera
: that from March to Decembe. Il
1917, orders were given for 21.117.0
: pairs.
t Il am not going to delay the senat
/, with all the proof" said Mr.. Hitch
i cock II am merely stating the facts.
Administration senators have pre-
I pared to obey the White House re
quest for as much silence as possibl
i on the Chamberlain bill and as niue
action as possible on other war meas
{ ures. But they are training their gun
e for spirited reply if the opposition fir
: becomes too hot
i Tomorrow Secretary of War Bake
L will again appear before the senat
military committee for direct ques
K tioning on his sweeping statements re