The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-02-07

men in France in lSlS. Now how would you supply them? he continued.
 Mir Baker read from his original state ment that he had said 1,5o0,O0o troops would be available for shipment in 1918, and that the prospect Of forwarding them was not unpromising."
 Why do you think 1t is not unpromis- ing insisted Senator Hitchcock.
 Secretary Baker replied that estimates made as to the available tonnage indi- cated the possibility.
 When he had made the statement Sec
 retary Baker added there was in his mind the conclusions of the shipping board as to what tonnage it could pro- duce in 1918. There were other factors as to shipping, added, such as vessels in nonessential trades, or on domestic routes, which might be released by sail. ing ships, or neutral tonnage.
 'r am asking you for the basis of your assurance 10 the country that ths prospect was not unpromising; that we would have 100000 in France. in 191S," persisted Senator Hitchcock.
 "I am anxious to tell you what is in mind,' answered Secretary Baker asking again that he be permitted to explain his
 statement, as far as possible. without disclosing military information.
 Before General Bliss went to Europe, He Sdlu, lHc SuUgcCl WdS QiSNdosSo "itii members of the shipping board, and oth- CTS as to the extent to which the emer. gency fleet corporation would supplement the existing tonnage" and "the extent that tonnage then availale to America would need to be supplemented by inter- national arrangement in order to carry out the allied programme.
 Secretary Baker said he did not per
 sonally determine the question, but that
 it was done by General Bliss and others.
 Upon Senator Weeks suggestion the
 committee dropped the shipping question
 until the Secretary could get informa-
 ton from his department to properly
 answer the questions. This will be fur
 nished to the committee in executive
 session.
 Senator Kirby wanted to adjourn until
 tomorrow, when an executive session
 would be held but other senators ob-
 jected and the examination went on. Senator Weeks then asked if Secretary
 Baker knew how many pairs of shoes
 were required per man in the French and English armies. Mir. Baker did moi know. but said he would obtain the in- formation. The senator said he wanted to know in order Ito determine if we
 are buying more shoes than necessary WEEKS WANTED EXAMPLE Senator Weeks said he had received a
 letter in which 1t was charged that many men in the army are of German sympa- thy, and that many officers and men in conversations expressed pro-German sentiment"
 The writer of the letter, he said. cited an instance of an American officer be. ing sent home from France by Genera Pershing for that reason. The senator said he had also heard of a chaplain wkC had been dismissed for similar reasons. Secretary Baker said he had received no information of such conditions, but would make an inquiry. T don't doubt but that something oI that sort exists said the Massachusetts senator and I think we ought to make an example of some one" Senator Reed said it was unfair tt question the Secretary in a large audi l torium filled with spectators and i'm pugning that the army was "reekint with treason"
 Why should the question be asked a all?" the senator demanded. l Senator Frelinghuysen interrupted anc | Senator Reed yielded.
 l "INwant to ask a question, which hope will pass the censor,'' said Senator Frelinghuysen, with his eyes set oi 1 Senator Reed. ! A tilt followed in which Senator Rect declared he had not peen trying to cen I sor the meeting"
 1 Senator Frelinghuysen turned to Sec retary Baker with the statement tha | the committee was not interested in tn, 1 punishmen of medical officers foun, negligible, but in the protection of tn ! men in the camps. He said Surgeon l General Gorgas had stated to the com mittee that he lacked authority to draw
 the public health service into the camI l sanitation work.
 Has that subject been given any con l sideration?" he asked.
 | Secretary Baker said the recommon dations of the American Public Healtl | association had been adopted with tn, approval of the surgeon general of tn army and navy.
 Then you think you have the healti
 of the men well in hand?" asked Senato 1 Frelinghuysen.
 l Yes"