South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-02-06

for army uses ON Feb. ]. was l9l.oe0
tons" said Sen Weeks
"I think that is an underestimate"
said Sec'y Baker. He promised 10
supply the Information later.
The shipping board and the war
department are in constant contact
and constantly studying the tonnage
question" Sec'y Baker said. He de-
.clared that Gen. Bliss had made a
careful study and knew what the
tonnage possibilities are
Sec'y Baker stated he did not
know the actual tonnage per man.
per day. necessary.
At this point there was drive
to make the sessions Of the COM
mittee executive.
Sen. Reed suggested that there
was an evident desire a. discuss a
matter which could not De- made
entirely public.
Il want 20 know how many mon
we have over there and how many
ships We have % supply them. said
Sen Reed. He suggested the tom
mage question being taken up in
secret session
Wranglc Continues.
Sen. Hitchcock objected. he stated
that Sec'y Baker had made public
statement that there would be
million men in France this year.
We are trying 20 find OUT now
what the basis for this statement
is" said Sen. Hitchcock Ilc dee
clared the tonnage of the United
8.
70 have public adjustment of the
number Of men i'm France in come
parison with available tonnage.
Sec'y Baker wanted the whole
question of tonnage discussed prl-
vately
Sen. Kirby OF Arkansas took
vigorous stand against disclosures in
open session. The wrangIe continued
for IS or 20 minutes and the inquiry
finally proceeded without amy detn-
ite conclusion being reached
Sen. Hitchcock asked See'r Baker
whether ne had any objection 20
stating the basis for his previous
statement that America would have
half "A million men iu France early
this year and would have 100000
iiiFll ofHiia'i' i'i -'it 'iii'.t- .... -'.-
the year
Not in the least. said Sec'y
Baker Come out into the next room
with me and I'll tell you in three
sentences
rs it not fact that the shipping
factor is ve-y Important" asked
Sen Hitchcock
Very much the coutrauu- face
tor said Sec'y Baker "Td like I'D
say here that when made my
previous statement about tne uau-
Der OF men we would send tp France
was not depend.ug WhoHE spuu
American shippiue.
Sen Hitchcock asked h0R much
American shipping is uow in opera
ton Mr. Baker couldn't answer. De
said Sen Hitchcock quoted .zar.s
OF the shipping board showing th Q
the total dead weight tonnage ON
NOV. aU. was 100000 Iu round
mum bers sen. Weeks pointed our
that this was the equivalent 8f not
much more than half that number
Of net tons
Continue shipping Queric-.
Sen Hitchcock continued aIs
questioning on the shipping Hae--
ton
How many troops can sou send
abroad asked sen Hitchco.k.
"I can't answer that. said Se
Baker.
What IS The actual basis lor s9l-
statement" asked Sen Htla.5c.
81 can't answer that" answered
the secretary.
sen Hitchcock persisted and asf-
I'd Sec'y Baker for am explanation
OF his statement about million and
a half men for France in 1918
Sen Baker then read his -tafa-
ment made last week. Ife pointed
out tha- be had said tho mea
would be available" for shipment
for france "if the shipping is avail
able" r. pointed olr that D. had
said the tonnage problem was ro-
'unpromising
What did you mean ay early IN