Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-01-15
BAKER OPPOSES IDEA
OF MUNITIONS CHIEF
Secretary of War Again Is
Sharply Examined by Mil
itay Committee

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12-Secretary
Baker. in the course of another vigorous
cross-examination before the senate in
vestigating committee today, voiced
strong opposition to the creation OF a
department of munitions and was fur
Their criticised by senator's for broad.
general statements regarding adequacy
of army equipment, which, Chairman
Chamberlain said. would "lull the coun-
try into a feeling of security"
Mr.. Bakers opposition to a munitions
department followed that expressed to
house leaders yesterday by President
Wilson. 1t was based, the secretary
said, upon the fact that the recent re-
organization of the war department
will meet all requirements and give bet
ter efficiency and that the position of
minister of munitions would impose an
Impossible task"
While senators strongly criticised the
reorganization of the department as de-
tailed by the secretary, thus presag1ng
a possible conflict later at the capitol
over legislation the committee has an
nounced it will press, it was decided to
further investigate the operation of the
department under the reorganization
plan before interrupting the inquiry to
champion Senator Chamberlains bill for
a minister of munitions and other meas
ures.
Secretary Bakers examination on ord
nance and supplies was concluded late
today in executive session and it was
announced that next week the commit
tee would call members of the council
of national defense, the war industries
board and other government agencies
for examination as to their opinion of
the necessity for a munitions depart
ment.
Industrial Dictator
In opposing Senator Chamberlain's
bill Mr.. Baker said the minister of mu-
nitions would be an industrial dicta-
tor" and that mo human being could be
found to decide all the questions 1t
would present"
The secretary also pointed out that
his judgment on military matters would
be subservient to that of the munitions
director and insisted that the recent de-
partmental reorganization is virtually
similar to the navy departments sys-
tenn and also the British munitions di-
rectorship.
In detailing the reorganization, Scores
tary Baker said the war industries
board, bv authority of common con-
sent" if not technical legal power,
would become the supreme arbiting au-
thority in co-ordinating Industrial needs
of the war and added that President
willard, of the board, and General Goe-
thals acting quartermaster general, ap-
prove the plan.
Questioned by senators, Mr. Baker adj
mitted that under the new army supply
department the ordnance, quartermas-
ters, medical, aviation and engineer bu-
reaus would do separate purchasing, but
said it would be co-ordinated and di-
rected This feature was sharply criti-
cised by committee members as fall
ing to effect GENERALIZATION of munitions
affairs.
Secretary Bakers statements regard
ing sufficiency of supplies were criti-
cised by Chairman Chamberlain and
Senators Hitchcock, Mcclellan, Weeks and
others. Mr.. Chamberlain said the coun-
try would believe that everything had
been done which should have been ac-
complished.
81 don't think it has" he added.
Security Justified
= "I think the country is entitled to feel
secure" Mr.. Baker replied, adding that
when all the facts are known a feeling
of security will be justified.
Senator Hitchcock cited specific short
ages of clothing and ordnance and said
Mr.. Bakers statements would leave the
impression that everything is lovely"
when the facts showed that it is not.
In executive session the secretary
was questioned for nearly two hours re-
garding supplies for the American army
overseas and other confidential matters.
During the session Chairman Chamber
lain took occasion to ask why, in his
annual report, Mr.. Baker had disap-
proved the senator's bill for universal
military training. The secretary re-
piled that his principal objection was
that sufficient officers could not be
spared from service to take charge of
the training He also expressed the be-
lief that decision on a definite military
policy for the nation should be deferred
until the end of the war, when the