The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-01-11
HUN OFFER IS WITHDRAWN
BAKER HANDLED
WITHOUT GLOVES
Senate Inquiry Warmed Up by
His Cross : Examination.
Fear Statement MisIeads.

VdoHiHStoUt SdU' i'-0oSfctdty sd-
ksr's examination today before the
senate military committee was warmed
up by a rapid cross-fire Of questions
by senators Of both parties who did
not agree with the gene ally favorable
view of war preparations depicted by
Mr.. Bakers statement of yesterday.
The senators declared his declaration
that war supplies were adequate wou.d
mislead the country. Senator Weeks
declared the country would be 'lulted
to sleep by a statement Of facts that
don't exist"
Mr.. Baker explained that he meant
to convey only the impression that all
men ready for the fighting Iins
were adequately equipped.
Senators Wadsworth and Weeks, re-
publicans, and Senator's Chamberlain
and Hitchcock, democrats, took the
lead in cross examining the secretary
and at times handled him without
gloves.
When Secretary Bakers examination
was resumed Chairman Chamberlain
said there were fears for powder pro-
duction.
Powder Production o. X.
"The situation is satisfactory and I
think supplies are and will continue
adequate" replied Secretary Baker.
Senator Wadsworth asked about the
board of labor standards which, testi-
mony has said, has pacifists and So
cialists among its members and is re-
quiring new Specifications in army
cloth contracts which will reduce pro-
duction.
II know their character and expert
qualifications WE'LL" said Baker in de-
fense of the board.
Senator Wadsworth said the boards
irements were so rigid that pro-
duction OF army garments is being de-
layed.
Any delay is slight, Secretary Baker
said. and health of factory workers Is
an important consideration.
IT must Disagree with YOU that the
delay is slight said Senator Wads-
worth.
Threaten TO Cause Strikes.
Senator Wadsworth said witness
had testified the boards contract
standards threaten to cause strikes.
all require employers to receive labor
leaders. He thought labor agitators
would stir up trouble.
Mr.. Baker denied knowledge that
any considerable number of contrac-
tors were refusing to execute contracts
because Of the new labor standards.
Senator Weeks thought the board
had too wide and very drastic powers.
but Mr.. Baker contended the boards
functions are purely advisory.
Senator Weeks challenged the state
7 1T that the board was only advisory
and complained of the multiplicity OF
new and special boards and commit
tees.
Persons with business are passed
along from corridor to corridor and
building to building trying to find the
right sde. agency with which to do
business" said the senator.
Turing to artillery Senator Wads-
worth assailed the ordnance bureau for
not Continuing manufacture Of French
240 millimeter guns instead OF pro-
GttuiUB VIII re OI AIueTlcdu
9.5 guns, none of which have been de-
livered and whose ammunition is not
with the French.
Pounds Table with Fist.
Secretary Baker said he thought.
but was not sure that the department
was making the French type and
promised to give further information.
There has been no explanation yet
given to the committee" said Senator
Wadsworth, pounding the table with
his fist. Senator Wadsworth asked
in view OF the shortage of ar
tiilery aid machine guns the seote-
tary's statement that there were sufff-
cient supplied Substantially for rush
needs" was correct.
"Yes, perfectly as I understand it."
said Mr.. Baker. Our rush needs are
satisfied"
Senator Chamberlain asked Baker
how he could say that when Canton
ments were short rifles, machine guns
and artillery.
Il mean that we have sufficient for
The men actually engaged in fighting"
"You mean then that there is
enough for men in France" said Sem
ator Mcclellan.
"Yes," sal dthe secretary.
Your statement that we have sub
enough gives a wrong inn
preston to the country, when we have
only enough for men actually in the
lighting and not for those in training"
Senator Wadsworth interjected.
What l meant so say and would
want the country to understand" Mr.
Baker replied earnestly, 'is that all
the troops in France will be ade-
luately equipped with artillery and
arms"
Probably" observed Senator Cham
Derlain.
II have assurances to that effect"
Mr.. Baker insisted.
The statement leaves the impress
sion that the situation is a rosy one.
ard that we have all the artillery we
nand .aid .Is.,,r h