The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1918-01-25

His continuance In the cabinet posi-
tion 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 a long and detailed statement OF
the war departments doings that serv-
ed as an elaborate defense of il and OF
himself as its head. Summing up the
departments chief accomplishments
Mr.. Baker said a large army is in the
| field and in training, enlisted and Sc
/ lected without serious dislocatlon OF
| the country's industries; its suhsis-
! 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 therel
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 half, and
he added: "No 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
ments organization had been dlscov-
cred, but maintained that the reorgan-
iZation Of bureaus and the creation of
the war council had brought strength
and efficiency. I'VE 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, t4ie
sentiment in congress for separate
cabinet department Of munitions seems
to be growing stronger and the Rrpub-
lican members set a day 10 consider
the adoption of IA resolution favoring
such action.
Problems Of Labor and Fuel.
Secretary Of Labor Wilso- asserts
there is an amply supply OF labor in
the country. hut the problem is one OF
proper adjustment Therefore the ga
H..
cry for the mobilization and dtstribu-
ton Of an army Of about 3.OOOO 600
workers for agriculture, shlpbuIlding
and war contract plants. A network
Of intcrrelatcd labor exchanges Riil be
established 10 recruit WORKERS and
transfer them from one section 70 an
other according 10 the demands John
y. Donemore of Montana was selected
10 be national director of This service
More insisteut and more Immediate
~ painful than the labor problem Is
the matter of fuel The coal shortage
blamed by SOME authorities on the sell
fsh 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.
ia ~" house ~ representatives
there was sharp criticism of the fed
erul fual administration. aud one con.
gresham declared that II the govern.
mout could not control prices n should
t0ko over fho mines. Fuel Admins
traitor Garfield ON Thursday announced
In" appointment Of Mark L. Rrqua ~