Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-02-06
sion ought to determine just how far
it is going in this investigation
Calls Secrecy CamOuflage.

Secretary Baker agreed that the
should have every available
fact including confidential informa-
ton. Senator Weeks said he wanted
to develop just what could be done in
getting men, munitions and other pro-
ducts abroad but without disclosing
matter.
The Massachusetts senator said,
however, he thought there was good
deal of camouflage about keeping in
formation from the enemy which is
published in annual reports and other
wise"
Gave General View.
II want to make suggestion if 1
may" Secretary Baker interposed.
THE misfortune for me, if l may call
it such, in my first statement to the
committee, lay in the fact that l at
to give opinions of the broad
general situation as l saw it, when
the information lay in details that
ought to have been gotten from the
experts in direct charge or in statis-
tics giving specific facts. / was at
tempting a general survey. 1t was
a misfortune for me to do that. |
think it better to give the committee
specific statements and the commit
tee is entitled to that"
Secretary Baker proposed to have
detailed statements of information pre-
pared at the department and submit
ted to the committee and then, If the
committee desired to cross examine
him later regarding the statements
he would be glad to return.
Senator Hitchcock asked if the sec
rotary would object to giving the com
mittee the basis for his opinion that
he expected a million men would be
in France before fall.
Can Give Facts in 3 Seconds.
"Not in the least" said Mr.. Baker.
Il could have the committee go in the
adjoining room and give it to you in
three seconds
Senator Hitchcock thought the in
formation should be given the same
publicity as his first statement.
1.-THE secretary conveyed to the coun-
try." said Senator Hitchcock, 'infor-
nation that | think was very unfor-
tunate. Did you consider shipping
an important ldClOI
Ships Controlling Factor.
VERY important, controlling" Mr.
Baker replied. Il was not relying
wholly on the supply of American
shipping
Senator Hitchcock asked how many
tons of American shipping could be
depended on and Secretary Baker said
he could not give the information. The
Nebraska senator said he secured
from the shipping board a statement
of available American tonnage on Nov
30. that there were $50 ships of 3,721.-
O06 dead weight tons including tankers
and former German and Austrian
ships, all over $500 tons.
THAT was the grand total at the
disposal of the United States" said
Senator Hitchcock, adding that ex.
Guiding passenger ships, tankers and
other non-cargo carrying ships, only
about 100000 tons was available fol
supply and transportation OF troops
Senator Hitchcock asked Secretary
Baker if that statement conformed tc
his information and the secretary said
he could not remember.
II tUdt StoltlueuL 10 COIIcCtp HON
many troops can we supply in Eu.
rope?" persisted Senator Hitchcock.
Il can't answer that said Secretary
Baker. ut would depend on the basis
of calculations"
One Says Five, Others Say Fifty.
Senator Hitchcock said he under.
stood that the basis was five tons pei
man. Senator Weeks said he thought
it was so pounds per man per day.
Senator Beckham interrupted, pro-
testing against efforts to drag cut o.
the secretary indirectly by probing
questions. information which would b.
of value to the enemy"
Senator Hitchcock said he did moi
wish to be misunderstood but only de-
sired to find the basis of Mr. Bakers
assurance to the country" that mil
lion men could be transported tt
France during 1918.
You said you expected to hav,
/ 900, 900 men in France in 1918. Now
how would you supply ,them?" he con
tinued
Refers to His Own Statement.
MIR. Baker read from his origins