The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-03-18
BAKER VIEWS
FRENCH DOCKS
Secretary Inspects 3 Miles
of American Dock Build
ing in France
LANDING FOR
u. S. TROOPS
Sixty Transports Can Be
Unloaded at Once Along
Converted Marsh Land

On Board Secretary Bakers Specia
Train in France, March l3 delayed =
Secretary Bakers first work after hi
conferences with the French Statesmen
and American generals at the capita
has been to begin his study OF what The
Americans are doing aud ought To do il
France by survey of a great port de
partment.
Il am still absorbing" said he at the
end of II hour day. II must say frank
ly that did not know the immensely OF
the enterprise which we have undertaken
in opening new ports, and when ! sec
what we have accomplished here | am
satisfied"
The American war secretary at the
particular port in question was attended
by Gen. Pershng, Mai. Gen. William NJ.
Black, Brighten. W. w. Atterbury and
the officers of the engineers who have
been creating vast new equipment for
docking and unloading ships. The secre-
tary walked for three miles along the
American army's dock front, already
constructed or in process of construction,
as an extension to the berths for mum
Der of ships placed at the disposition of
the Americans by the French govern
iitHts W. Hlllts VI LHi0 iltN Std liOiil-
age consisted of marshes filled in from
dredgngs in deepening the waterfronts
and ships are already alongside some of
these new berths. On other parts of the
frontage concreted warehouses are going
up, and great system OF switches has
been laid or is in the course of being
laid.
II like to come out here once week."
4 4 d. Al. /.
respondent, land see how different things
look from what they did the week before.
j almost lose my way
This new dockage, with two other new
frontages that are being developed in
connection with it, will allow of 40 large
or 60 medium sized steamships to be I'M
loaded simultaneously.
Mr.. Bakers questions were frequent.
penetrating, and often technical when
the engineers We're explaining the rail
way plexus connecting the various ports
with the bases in the interior. He asked
particularly about grades, so as to esti
mate the requirements in engine power
and the heaviness of loads. He rather
astonished the engineers by the detailed !
character of his questioning, which |
touched the very problems that bother
them most.
At heavy artillery training camp
Secretary Baker saw battery of long |
range large calibre guns put into posi-
ton. They were swung over by automo
bile tractors, and shallow recoil trenches
We're dug quickly, but with unefring
methods. Mr.. Baker took stand close
to one of the great pieces and followed
the explanations of the major in com
mand. 1t was one of the new guns from
a French workshop and of a type with
which the American artillerists are al
ready making a reputation on the sec
tors at the front.
The secretary had been told by French
officers of the skill of the American gun
ners in handling this weapon, in the
of which the French artil-
lerists heretofore had considered them
selves unexcelled Mr.. Baker became so
that he mounted the chief gun
ner's stand and looked through the mas
ter sight and watched the adjustment
of the piece to the range markings
The secretary's train arrived at an i'm
portant town near the port at s o'clock
IN the morning. The project of the de-
par tment the French general command
ng the district and numerous American
,fficers were there to welcome him. His
reception was simple. The band, as Sec
,etary Baker and Gen. Pershing issued
rom the station, sounded the salute to
he colors, and battalion of American
soldiers stood at salute. That was the !
,nly ceremony of The day except a small
'eview of the troops at the artillery !
amp.
Official lunches and dinners are, by the {
ecretarys request, omitted from his pro-
ram. He and Gen. Pershing remain
hoard the train at night and spend most =
# their travelling days on business.