El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-01-28
BAKER SAYS WAR DEPARTMENT
USES EVERY EFFORT To WIN WAR
Says Pershng and Other Generals Concurred in Chang
ing Enfield Rifle; Says Pershing Does Not Want the
Lewis Machine Guns for Ground Use; Declares
Neglect Of Men in Camps Won't Be Tolerated
(Continued ION 20 ID

The impatience Of the whole coun-
try to do this thing greatly" he said
] probably inspired much OF the criti-
cism. Every one Of US wants TO see
our country hit like a man at the ad
versary.
we look back over the past and
see that there have been shortcom-
I ings, that there have been delay =
There are things that could have been
better done. But our effort is to
learn
Try To Correct Shortcomings.
7 have no purpose to defend indi-
viduals or myself If l discuss here
individuals by name; If I refer to Gen.
Crozier or Gen Sharpe or myself, II
viii be only to make 1t clear. If any
Of US should figure in tomorrOw's
casualties il would pc as nothing be-
side the object we all seek. l am not
here to deny shortcomings, but ]
think 1 can say this:
That where We have found such
shortcomings or mistakes we have
made every effort TO correct them.
most earnestly ask hat when you
have pointed out to you any short
comings, whether it seems we'll
founded or not that you instantly re-
fer it to me in order that the pro-
eesses Of the department may sift the
truth
Instances of shOrtcominE.
Mr.. Baker said it had seemed to him
that. although IL was not the SEN
ators purpose to make it so appear,
the country got an inn ession from
the failures and delays that made
them "disproportionate to what was
The secretary said there might be
instances Of shOrtcoming. but only
instances"
Not Defending SubOrdinntes.
When he appe red previously, Mr..
Baker said it was with the intention
Of being frank" but despite this de-
sire he seemed ''to have left the feel
ing that l was fencing in defence OF
some Of my subOrdinates- He denied
any such intentions and said when he
concluded If there was anything else
the committee desired to investigate
he would DO everything possible With
in his power to assist without fear
or favor" TO effect any improvements
Investigate III Treatment
The secretary said that when he
heard of the two letters read by SEN
ator Chamberlain concerning bad
treatment of sick soldiers he immed-
lately asked Mr.. Chamberlain for all
of the details.
u want to follow these through to
the very end" said he, and find out
who is responsible in order that can
punish the guilty"
Although more than 100000 men
are under arms in this country, Mr.
Baker said, the number Of complaints
received have been relatively small,
probably not more than Is. In each
instance. he said, Investigations have
been made Immediately
Some reports, the secretary said.
have not proved serious upon inquiry,
while others had, in which case cor
rections followed.
Shipping Bodies BY british Method.
In the case Of the body Of an Of
school being shipped home in sheet,
secretary Baker said, inquiry de-
veIOped that the camp was in charge
of a British aviation officer who fol
lowed the British method OF sending
bodies home unclothed. the mans
clothes being shipped in q separate
parcel An American officer was
then in charge.
Another Complaint UnJuStIfied.
Another complaint Of neglect Of q
patient at Camp Wheeler he said de-
Teloped that 1t was unjustified and re-
sulting from the distressed magma
tion OF the widow"
There still are in the hands OF the
inspector general nine cases being
Investigated. Mr.. Baker told of in
which resulted in the
and Lieut. John G. Dye. for neglect OF
patients. The judge advocate general
advised adding a prison sentence TO
the dismissal and that is being con-
sidered-
VIII Not Permit CareIesSnesS-
The department sets its face
against that sort Of callous direEard
Of soldiers health" secretary Baker
said Il want doctors and the country