Evening star., 1918-01-26
RUM0R SET At REST
BY GEN. COCKTAILS
Denies Report That He Was
DispIeased With Appointment
of E. H. Stettinius.
BAKER EXPLAINS DUTIES

Maj. Gen. Geoge w. Goethals today
nipped in the bud widespread. reports
that he was disgruntled about the ap-
pointment of Edward R. Stettinius as
surveyor general of all purchases for
the Army.
The rumors, which Gen Goethals de-
MED. were that he was displeased be-
cause he had not been consulted about
the appointment; that he regarded the
creation of the office an infringement
upon the duties he. as quartermaster
general, had been named to perform.
and that he was considering a request
to be relieved of his present duties.
To a reporter for The Star Gen.
Goethals said today:
why should Il have been consulted
about an appointment which is not in
my department? Mr.. Stettinius is a
friend of mine; my only regret is that
l could not have his services"
Asked whether he considered the ere
alton of the new Office handicap to
the efficiency of the quartermasters de-
partment. Gen. Goethals replied: Ger
tainly not
Scope of Duties Explained.
Following his initial statement about
the appointment of Mr.. Stettinius. Sec
retary of War Baker explained more
fully the scope of his duties. which
cleared up considerable perplexity re-
garding them. In relation to those of
Col. Palmer Pierce, recently named as
head of the bureau of supplies of the
War Department Mr.. Stettinius will
act under Col. Pierce. The civilian
will keep in touch with industrial con-
ditions, sources of supply and serve
Of ha h1Trn nf Iinc
as the Secretary put it, so that Col
Pierce and the heads of the various
bureaus may be informed where they
may have orders filled quickly, ade-
quately and to best advantage.
Col. Pierce will retain his function
as a priority, director. so far as appor-
tionment of available supplies among
the ordnance. quartermaster. medical,
signal corps and engineer branches of
the War Department is concerned.
Into this scheme, it was explained
today, the work Of the war industries
board fits without overlapping. 1t is
the duty of that board to develop ways
of filling the government orders, and
through one of its representatives.
George n. Peek. to seek to transform
non n-essential plants into those which
can turn out materials needed in the
war.
Mr.. Willard's Successor Not Named.
The war industries board is yet with
out successor to Daniel Willard. who
resigned recently to resume his duties
as president of the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad. 1t is generally understood
that the President is waiting to ap-
point a successor until consideration Of
pending legislation in Congress in re-
Spect to a munitions director and a
war cabinet is disposed Of and until
Secretary Baker completes his reor-
ganization plans.
1t was stated that the office to which
Mr.. Stettinius was named yesterday
was not a sudden inspiration, but that
it had been a part of the general plan
of reorganization. 1t was not until a
few days ago, however. that Mr.. Stet-
tinius was looked to as possible in
cumbent for the position.
Secretary Preparing Statement.
Secretary Baker today was engaged
in preparation of his statement to be
made before the Senate military af-
fairs committee Monday. so the ex-
pected statements in respect to the re-
organization of the ordnance and quar-
termaster's departments were not made.
In both bureaus a gradual reorganiza-
tion is in progress, which, it is con-
tended, will centraIize authority in
Gen. Wheeler and in Gen. GoethaIS and
will eliminate much of the red tape in
these bureaus.
Secretary Baker was at the White