The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-03-17
BAKER AND PERSHING
ON INSPECTION TOUR
War Secretary Gathers First Hand
Information m Work Accom-
pifshed In France
RECEIVES INSPIRING SALUTE
Spends Day at Great French Port
Which American Industry Has
Buiit--Expre~ses Satisfaction With
Wonderful Progress Already Made.

! With Secretary of War Baker ut a
French port, March 1S.-(Via Paris
March l6.)-N wton D. Baker, secre-
tary If war of the United States. to-
DAY beg n in earnest gathering first
hand -nforma On 4bout the war He
spent all day inspecting this ina or
tant port. accompanied by Generals
PsSshing, Black and Atterbury. Upon
the conclusion of 10 hour tour M.
Baker declared:
Il frankly admit now that have
had my f. at chance to so over one OF
our bases that this la bigg und r.
taking than ] realized. ! must say
that I am more than satisfied with
the wonderful progress made.
Il am Just beg ming to soak up
the impr~ sstons | have obtain q of
actual conditions prevailing in
France"
Secretary Baker arrived in this
port In a special nine Car ira tur-
nished by the french government He
got up at $50 o'clock In the morning.
when the plans for the day were sub
United to him. AS he stepped of the
train he received a rousing ovatioa a.
He was greet q by the ocal authori-
ties A battalion OF The Ameri an
expedition ary force stood In inc. It's
band playing to the colors az the aec-
rotary. Cen al al Pershing at his stde
stood bareheaded receiving the in
spring salute
The party motorsd Off to inspect the
docks. which are three miles long
and capable OF accommod ting SIX y
vessels. Everyth ng here has been built
up by Yankee industry. Mr.. Baker
walked the entire length, bra ely
keeping up with Pershings mi. itary
stride. The war secretary took the
ksenest interest in all he saw AID all
was throuoghhly explained to him.
General Pershing pointed out the
main base of distribution. Mr.. Bak r
plunged enthusiastically through the
sand secpped over tye trestle work
and climbed the many cons ruction
ladders.
Next the party visited a huge ware
house. covering three square n les,
stoF ping at the last camp. which &C.
commodities $4,000 men. Here they
arrived at the mess hour.
Mr.. Baker personally questioned
the darky stevedores who. not know
ing tn title man In civilian eli thea.
answered free y. decla ing the food
was good and plentiful. except ors of
them ass rtsd "dey wouldn't stvs mo
mother pi ee O. bread. All likes noah
bread when ah wants it,
Mr. Faksr saw to It that the gee
slsman from the sunny south got his
bread. although he had already re-
ceiv his ration.
The secretary then inspected the
base hospital. the largest In the
world. having 10000 beds
IN the afternoon n visited the big
artillery camp, whsra the gum RS
the six inchers, reporstn
ready to 1re'' within two minutes
after thsy had taken their places. Mr..
Bal er nodded his approval, and
asked to have the gun mechanism OK
panied to him. Ais, quest on ng tn a
men as 10 the results of the target
IRE.
Then the party went over to the
remount station and looked over some
newly arrived horses.
Mr.. Baker show d no fatigue after
thoroughly going over the who'e port.
After the strenuous 10 hour day the
train. which Is the WA secretary'sl
no. g this Elk. pulled out. tax ny |
Hr. Baker and his party to anoth
port which he will inspect tomorr, W !