Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-31

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His continuance in the cabinet posi-
ton he holds has been the object of
attack, both In the committee and In
the country generally, and with full
knowledge of that fact he appeared
with long and detailed statement Of
the war departments doings that serv-
ed as an elaborate defense of 1t and Of
himself as It's head. Summing up the
departments chief accomplishments,
Mr.. Baker said large army is In the
field and in training, enlisted and Sc
lected without serious dislocation of
the country's industries; Its subsis-
| tence is above criticism, its clothing
supply Is now substantially complete;
| arms of the most modern kind have
been provided by manufacture or pur-
chased for the soldiers in France and
will be available for every man who
can be got to France in 1918; sub
stantial army is already on French
soil and ready for active service, and
lines of communication and supply
and vast storage and other facilities
are in process Of construction there
| great programs for the manufacture of
additional equipment and new instru-
ments Of war have been formulated.
The American army now in the field
or in training, Mr.. Baker said, num-
bered nearly million and a half, and
he added: mo army of similar size In
the history of the world has ever been
raised, equipped or trained so quickly.
No such provision has ever been made
for the comfort, health and general
well-being of an army"
The secretary did not undertake to
deny that weak places in the depart
ment's organization had been discov-
cred, but maintained that the reorgan-
iZation of bureaus and the creation Of
the war council had brought strength
and efficiency. "We can now see the
entire situation" he said. "The initial
rush needs are substantially supplied.
The technical corps have been expand
ed and reorganized upon industrial and
efficient lines"
Despite Mr. Bakers defense, the
sentiment In congress for a separate
cabinet department of munitions seems
to be growing stronger and the Repub-.
lican members set a day to consider
the adoption of q resolution favoring
such action.
Problems Of Labor and Fuel.
Secretary Of Labor Wilson asserts
there is an amply supply Of labor in
the country, but the problem IS one Of
proper adjustment. Therefore the gov
ernment has set in motion the machin-
cry for the mobilization and distribu-
tion of an army of about 100000
workers for agriculture, shipbuilding
and war contract plants. A network
of interrelated labor exchanges will be
established to recruit workers and
transfer them from one section to an
other according to the demands. John
B. Densmore of Montana was selected
to be national director of this service.
More insistent and more immediate
ly painful than the labor problem Is
the matter of fuel The coal shortage,
blamed by some authorities on the sell
fish greed Of the operators, became so
pronounced last week, especially in
the east, that many industries were
forced to close their doors and many
more went on part time.
In the house of representatives
there was sharp criticism of the fed
eral fuel administration, and one con-
gresham declared that If the govern
ment could not control prices II should
take over the mines. Fuel Admins
traitor Garfield on Thursday announced
the appointment Of Mark L. Requa of
Oakland, Cal. to take charge of the
oil Industry Of the country, and It was
understood the government would take
over the control Of fuel oil as 1t has OF
coal, Distribution of the oil will come
first and later the question of price
regulation will be taken up. One most
desirable result Of this move will be to
assure the navy an adequate supply
of oil. which is the fuel of most of the
recently built vessels.
II the women of America win the
right to vote, as seems probable. the
suffragists will have to thank the man
whom they have scolded, abused and
picketed for long time. The Susan
B. Anthony amendment was approved
by the house Thursday by only the
bare two-thirds majority required, and
: 1t Is fair to assume that II would not
nave carried If President Wilson had
not given 1t hearty and unexpected In
dorsement Fifteen Southern Demo-
Gratis who voted against national suf.
trage two years ago voted for II this
time. OF the 274 votes In favor OF tbe
amendment 165 were cast by Repub-
iicans' The resolution now goes to