The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-02-06

ought to be discussed in an executive
session." said Secretary Baker, in re-
ply to Chairman Chamberlain, who
| asked his views. The tonnage mat
ter. he added,\ involved international
arrangements and he suggested that
he be permitted to prepare a state
ment to show the present status.
Il don't think it is necessary for
the secretary to come here to disclose
facts in order to justify statements he
has made" interrupted Senator Kirby
democrat. II am opposed to it.
think the committee in executive ses-
sion ought to determine just how far
~ 1sageing in this estigation."
Secretary Baker agreed that the
committee should have every available
TACT including confidential inforfna-
tion. Senator Weeks said he wanted
to develop just what could be done
in getting men. munitions and other
products abroad, but without disclos-
ing confidential matter.
The Massachusetts senator said.
however he thought there was "a
good deal of camouf1age about keeping
information from the enemy which is
published in annual reports and other
wise"
Points Out His Mistake.
want 10 make suggestion, If |
may. Secretary Baker interposed.
The misfortune for me, if / may call
1T such. in my first statement to the
committee, lay in the fact that I at
tempted to give opinions Of the broad,
general situation as / saw it, when the
information lay in details that ought
10 nave been gotten from the experts
III direct charge, or in statistics Civ
ing specific facts. l was attempting
a general survey 1t was n misfortune
for me to do that. 1 think it better
to give the committee specific state
ments and the committee is entitled
to that"
Secretary Baker proposed to have
detailed statements of information
prepared at the department and sub
mitted to the committee and then if
the committee desired to cross-exam-
Inc him later regarding the state
ments he would be glad to return,
Senator Hitchcock asked If the sec
retary would object to giving the
committee the basis for his opinion
that he expected a million men would
be in France before fall
In Three Sentences.
Not in the least" said Mr.. Baker.
Il could have the committee go into
the adjoining room and give it to
You in three sentences"
senator Hitchcock thought the in
formation should be given the same
publicity as his first statement.
Ships a Controlling Factor.
Ihe secretary conveyed to the
country said Senator Hitchcock, "the |
information that l think was very un- |
fortunate. Did you consider shipping
an important factor?"
VARY inn nj
Baker replied. II was not relying
wholly on the supply of American .
shipping"
Senator Hitchcock asked how many
tons OF American shipping could be |
depended on, and Secretary Baker said /
ne could not give the information. The !
Nepfaska senator said he secured from
tne shlpping board statement OF /
avalIaple American tonnage on Nov !
30. that there were 5S2 ships. of 3,721.-
SO6 dead-weight tons, including tank
ers and former German and Austrian
ships, all over 1900 tons.
That was the grand total at the
of the United States" said
Senator Hitchcock, adding that ex-
Guiding passenger ships, tankers and
other noncargo- carrying ships, only !
about 100000 tons were available for
Senator Hitchcock asked Secretary
Baker il that statement conformed tc
his information, and the secretary said
he could not remember.
IF that statement is correct. how
many troops can we supply in Eu-
roper" persisted Senator Hitchcock.
81 can't answer that" said Secretary
Baker. 1T would depend on the basis
Of calculation"
Weeks Interrupts.
Senator Hitchcock said he under
stood that basis was five tons per man.
Senator Weeks said he thought it was
fifty pounds per man per day. Sena-
tor Beckham interrupted, protesting
against refforts to drag out of the Sec
-etary indirectly. by probing questions.
which would be of value
10 the enemy"
Senator Hitchcock said he did not
wish to be misunderstood, but he only