El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-01-28
says Conditions Are Improving.

are a responsibility which I will not
permit to be lodged or handled in a
cavalier fashion"
Says Conditions Are Improving.
While camp conditions are held re-
sponsible for health conditions, sec
erals office has daily inspections, and
he has appointed DR.. John A Hornsby,
a hospital expert, as his personal in
spector. A telegram from DR.. Horns
by regarding camp conditions which
senator Chamberlain assailed, dis
closed them greatly improved" with
mortality reduced and ample accom-
modations fo= all sick"
Mrs. Rinehart UphOlds Service.
Secretary Baker read a letter from
Mrs. Mary Roberts Rinehart, the
writer, who has a son in the service,
commencing hospitals which she re-
Gently inspected. Mrs. Rinehart said
berlain's tragic letters. But I feel
the mothers of the country should
know" wrote Mrs. Rinehart. that the
number of such cases is small. Il is
to allow every mother to judge the
medical corps because here and there
men are unwilling or unable to give
the care that is their duty. There are
conditions to be remedied. The short
age of women nurses is serious. But
Of cruelty and Indifference 7 have
found nothing. Ninety-nine out af
100 boys are receiving better care
than they could afford at home"
Says Ships Are Main Problem.
Securing artillery from France, Mr.
Baker said, would save ships.
Il am telling no secrets when 1 say
that ships are the crux OF our prob
lem" ne said.
representatives and also the war
council participants, headed by Col
House, declared that procuring ord
nance from England and France viii
not take supplies they need. but Will
help them.
Tells of Changing Rifles.
Taking up senator Chamberlain's
attack on the ordnance bureau, Mr..
Baker said that mems minds differed
about the types of guns to be used
and about the quantity. He then dis
closed that the decision to adopt the
socalled rechambered Enfield rifle
was reached late one night in his Of
flee at conference attended by Gen
J. J. PerShing. who was preparing to
go 70 France: Maj. Cen H L Scott.
then chief OF staff Maj. Gen. Tasker
h Bliss. then assistant chief of staff.
Maj Gen. William Crozier, chief Of
ordnance, and Maj. Gen. Kuhn, then
head OF the war college. and several
other staff officers, experts in ri
fles-' It was late in May or early in
June
American SpringfieIds Best.
The American Springfield rifle, sec
rotary Baker said. was admittedly
the best military rifle developed by
any country" when this decision was
reached There were in stock about
100000 Of them
II was not then known, secretary
Baker commended whether American
troops would fight beside the British
or the French The British used a
Il
the French a rim cartridge gun Of
another caliber. The British govern
ment had been prepared to rearm the
entire British army with the Enfield
when the war broke out in 1914. The
excellence Of the American weapon
was SO well known that the British
decided to remodel their guns, but the
suddenness OF the war prevented them
making the change.
Says All Consented to Change.
That decision made that night"
1Ir. Baker added. referring to the con-
ference held at which it was decided
to change the American rifle. ''had
the unanimous consent Of every man
at the conference"
Says Wood Urged Big Army.
After America entered the war.
Baker said, MAJ. Gen. Leonard Wood
came TO his office and advocated the
necessity of calling out a large army.
Baker said there were not
the clothes or arms. but Gen. Wood
replied he knew that. but contended
the men needed to live together for
preliminary training" He told Gen
Wood he agreed that the army should
be assembled as rapidly as possible.
but il was the intention to build up
the regular army and the national
guard first and then the national
army
Finally Acted on Woods Suggestion.
Concluding his statement regarding