Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-25
Mr.. BAKER TELLS NEED
OF: HAVING TWO AIDS
Will Act as Head OF War Depart
ment in His Absence.
MAY BIZ NAMED
His Duties Would Include Supervi-
sion of All Industrial and Com
mercial" Activities OF Army.
Cocktails Mentioned for Place.
tBy Associated Press.l

tBy Associated PressJ
WASHINGTON February oi.-With
the administration bill, creating two
additional assistant secretaries of war,
before Congress. Secretary Baker to.
day explained the functions to which
his now aids would DO assigned. lilo
would not Indicate who he had in mind
for tho posts. saying that the nomi-
nations wcrc matters for the Prcsi-
dent only. but names unonicially suS-
gcsted include those Of Edward Il.
Stcttinius. new surveyor general OF
War Department purchases; Major
General Gocthals. acting quarter
mastcr-sencral. and Raymond u. Eos
dick, chairman OF the commission on
training camp activities
MIR. Eakcr said that assistant Sec.
rotary Crowcll would become the d.
rect undcrstudy of tho secretary and
assume tho dutieg of tho head Of tho
War Department In his absence. Tho
new second assistant will have super
vision OF all Industrial and com
mercial' activitics OF the War Depart
ment. acting in tho name of the secre-
tary on all matters OF this character
and supervising tho purchases OF all
bureaus.
Tho appointment OF Mr.. Stcttinius as
second assistant would be in line with
Mr.. Eaher's statement 10 the conEres-
SIGNAL committee that tho place of Mr.
Stcttin!Is Ia tho department was ono
OF growing functions" In that con.
ncction. however. il was recalled to-
dag that recently the name OF Cen.
eral Cocktails had been prominently
mentioned as an assistant secretary OF
war IN discussions OF changes in the
War Department. Under General Coo
thals the quartcrmastcra department
has been reorganizc and its work en-.
largcd.
The ihird assistant Mr.. Baker said,
viii have direct supervision Of ali
"noIlnil;tary activi.ics Of tile soldier
That function is now oxcrciscd very
largely hy MIR, roadick as chairman
OF tho comm isaion on training camp
,activitic,
Tho position of fourth assistant will
be held by John $ Scotold. nov assist
ant and chief clerk, and as such in
charge Of administrative matters not
directly under the various bureaus and
OF tho entire clerical personnel OF the
department.
PROPOSES TO LEAVE
DETAILS TO ASSISTANTS
Mr.. Bakers purpose Is TO transfer
to his new assistants many matters
Of de;ai! which now handicap him in
the broad policies 1t is his dut 10
wor: out. In this connection i, wa,
noted that he has reserved 10 himself
also all military questions
A. the second aesiatan, would be
directly in charge Of all industrial
and commercial wcrh and would be
clothed with absolute pow-r, il wa,
sugssestcd this Office might meet the
urgency Tor director OF munitions in :
dImuch as there has been little com.
paint about navy contra Is at any
time.
Mr.. Baker said he wishcd 10 nam.
an assistant In charge OF the non
military life OF soldiers who would
regard tho human side OF the army
particularly. and deal With tho soldier
as man. not as military unit. I'm
der mat oh'cial would be hrough, to-
scthcr all activities concerned with the
entertainment vocational training
athlet!c development and general en- :.
viroEment OF tho army camps. oues-
ton" relating to tho army chaplain
service TO the !. NJ. G. A. and other
semiofhcal welfare agencies vou,d
also be centralized in this office.