The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-01-19

His continuance in the cabinet posi-
on he holds has been the object of
attack, both in the committee and in
the country generally, and with full
knowledge of that fact he appeared
with a long and detailed statement of
the war departments doings that serv-
ed as an elaborate defense of it and Of
himself as its head. Summing up the
departments chief accomplishments,
Mr.. Baker said a large army is in the
field and in training, enlisted and Sc
lected without serious dislocation of
the countrys industries; it's subsis-
tence is above criticism, it's clothing
supply Is now substantially complete;
arms of the most modern kind have
been provided by manufacture or pur-
chased for the soldiers in France and
will be available for every man who
can be got to France in 1918; a sub
stantial army is already on French
soil and ready for active service, and
lines of communication and supply
and vast storage and other facilities
are in process of construction there
great programs for the manufacture of
additional equipment and new instru-
ments of war have been formulated.
The American army now in the field
or in training, Mr.. Baker said, num-
bered nearly million and a half, and
he added: mo army of similar size in
the history of the world has ever been
raised, equipped or trained so quickly,
No such provision has ever been made
for the comfort, health and general
well-being of an army"
The secretary did not undertake to
deny that weak places In the depart
ment's organization had been discov-
cred, but maintained that the reorgan-
ization of bureaus and the creation of
the war council had brought strength
and efficiency. ave can now see the
entire situation" he said "The initial
rush needs are substantially supplied.
The technical corps have been expand
ed and recognized upon industrial and
efficient lines"
Despite Mr.. Bakers defense, the
sentiment in congress for separate
cabinet department of munitions seems
to be growing stronger and the Repub
lican members set a day to consider
the adoption of a resolution favoring
such action.
prnhIanoc If | aFnr and E,aI
Secretary of Labor Wilson asserts
there is an amply supply of labor in
the country, but the problem is one Of
proper adjustment. Therefore the gov
eminent has set in motion the machin
cry for the mobilization and distribu
ton of an army Of about 3,000,00(
workers for agriculture, shipbuildins
and war contract plants. A networl
of interrelated labor exchanges will bt
established to recruit workers an(
transfer them from one section to an
other according to the demands. JohI
B. Densmore of Montana was selected
to be national director of this service
More insistent and more immediate
ly painful than the labor problem Il
the matter of fuel. The coal shortage
blamed by some authorities on the sci
fish greed of the operators, became 81
pronounced last week, especially II
the east, that many Industries wer'
forced to close their doors and man.
more went on part time.
Tn ha Of n+of 1.-Two
there was sharp criticism of the fed
eral fuel administration, and one con
gresham declared that If the govern
ment could not control prices 1t SHOULD
take over the mines. Fuel Admins
traitor Garfield on Thursday announces
the appointment of Mark L. Requa O
Oakland, Cal, to take charge of tn
oil industry Of the country, and it wa
understood the government would TAX
over the control of fuel oil as 1t has o
coal. Distribution of the oil will com
first and later the question Of pric
regulation will be taken up. One mos
desirable result Of this move will be Il
assure the navy an adequate suppl
of oil, which Is the fuel Of most of tn
recently built vessels.
II the women Of America win tn
right to vote, as seems probable, tn
suffragists will have to thank the ma
whom they have scolded, abused an
picketed for long time. The Susa
B. Anthony amendment was approve
by the house Thursday by only tn
bare two-thirds majority required, an
1t is fair to assume that 1t would no
have carried If President Wilson ha
not given 1t hearty and unexpected In
dorsement. Fifteen Southern Demo
Gratis who voted against national sui
frage two years ago voted for it thi
time. OF the 274 votes in favor Of tn
amendment, 1856 were cast by Reput
licans. The resolution now goes t
the senate, where the cause must gal
several converts to carry 1t through.