Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-02-06

said Secretary Baker. He promised TO
supply the information later.
SHIP TONNAGE GROWING
THE shipping board and the War De-
partment are in constant contact and
constantly studying the tonnage ques-
ton" Secretary Baker said. lie declared
that General Bliss had made careful
study. and knew what the tonnage pos-
sibiities are.
This Is Of course, changed now -"
the Secretary said There have been
10000 more tons made available with
in the last week This comes from ships
drawn from other service and replaced
by neutral shipping" Secretary Bak-
er stated he did not know the actual
tonnage per man. per day necessary.
At this point there was a drive 60
make the sessions Of the committee cN-
ecutivc. Senator Reed suggested that
there was an evident desire to discuss
a matter which could not he made en-
tirely public.
81 want to know how many mon We
have over there and how many ships
we have to supply them" said Senator
Reed. lie suggested the tonnage ducs'
ton being taken up in secret session.
Senator Hitchcock objected. lie
stated that Secretary Rakcr had made a
public statement that there would be Il
million men in France this year.
I'VE are trying to find out now what
the basis for this statement is sa d
Senator Hitchcock. lie declared the ton
| mage of the United States Is publ ely
/ known. and wanted to have publ,
adjustment Of the number Of men IN
| France in comparison with available
/ tonnage
/ Secretary Baker wanted the whui'
question of tonnage discussed privately.
WRANGLE OVER SECRECY
senator Kirby. Of Arkansas, tool, .
vigorous stand against disclosures ii
opcn session. The wrangie over sup
preston Of information continued iu
fifteen or twenty minutes.
Senator Weeks said there was - goo'
deal Of Camouilagc about keeping in
formation away from the enemy an'
printing il later in the official record
The inauiry finally proceeded withou
any dilntc conclusion being reached
Senator Hitchcock asked Secretar,
Baker whether he had any objection t
stating the basis for his previous state
ment that America would nave hat
million men in France early TINS yea
and would have 100000 men aNailabl
? LOT SnlDllltUl uul ~ '''N''
Not in the least" said Sccretar
Baker. ",'ome out into the next roor
with me and I'll tell you In three sen
tences
els it not n fact that the skipping FAC
: tor is very important asked Seha'o
Hitchcock
Very important, the controlling rae
tor" said Secretary Baker. 'Id hh
10 say here that when made m
. preyio,ls statement about tho number
, men we would send to France ] wa
not depending wholly upon America
shipping" 800,
: Senator Hitchcock asked how muc
American shipping is now III operatio
: Mr.. Baker couldn't answer he "a.
5 Senator Hitchcock quoted iigureS OF u
shipping board. show ng tnat lhe lo'
: dead.weight tonnage on November
MAS 100000 in round numbers. SCI
ltor Weeks pointed out that this was II
equivalent of not much more than hR
that number of net tons,
: Senator Hitchcock continued his que
tirning on the shipping question. aI
there was n decided electr city in Il
! atmosphcre for questions and answe
shot back and forth rapidly.
BAKER CAN'T ANSWER
How many troops can you SCI
u abroad?" asked Senator Hitchcock.
!" II can't answer that" said Sccreta
Baker
: What is the actual basis for yo
:, statement" asked Senator Hitchcock.
70 "i can't answer that" answered I
Secretary.
ol At this point Senator Kirby again
IF terfered. Senator Chamberlain answt
Il cd, you can't stop Senator from as
l. ing Il question
If Then Senator Becliham asked for
n executive session.
Senator Hitchcock persisted. a
I'd asked Secretary Baker for an explain
y ton Of his statement about mill
and half men for France IN 1918.
Secretary Baker then read his sta
mcnt made last week. lie pointed q
that he had said the men would
available" for shipment for France,
9 the shipping is available" He point
out that he had said the tonnage pro
lem was mot unpromising"
, what did YOU mean by early
j. 1882" asked senator Hitchcock, ref
l. ring to the Sccrctary's statement, II