davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1918-02-07
Baker Pleads for Secrecy
Regarding Ship Situation

Examination of Secretary Baker was
interrupted while Senator's discussed
going into executive session to permit
the Secretary to furnish confidential
information. The discussion was pre-
clpltated by Senator Reed, who thought
the committee was entitled to exact
lnfermation Of the number Of men nov
in France and on other subjects.
Senator Chamberlain, as we'll as Sen
ators Hitchcock and Mcclellan. favored
an open session and to let the Sccrc-
tary indicate what questions he would
rather answer in private. As Secretary
Bakers statement, on which he is being
cross examined was made at an omen
hearing, Senator Hitchcock said he
thought the committee would make a
mistake in not examining him at a
similar hearing.
Il think the committee and the pub
lie are entitled to know where he pro-
poses to get the tonnage to supply the
men abroad" continued the Nebras skan
Senator: 81 think the Secretary ought
to be able to put those figures before
us to back up his statement that he
expects to have million men over
there this year.
II think the whole question of ships
ought TO be discussed in executive ses-
sion" said Secretary Baker, in reply 10
Chairman Chamberlain, who asked his
views. The tonnage matter, he added,
involved International arrangements
and he suggested that he be permitted ID
to prepare a statement to show the
present status.
- 81 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). 81 am opposed to it.
think the committee in executive scs-
sion ought to determine just how far
1t is going in this investigations"
New-York tribune., 1918-02-07
Stettinius More Than
Director of Munitions

Don't you think it is time We should
listen to these men of experience ?" he
asked.
81 think the difficulty of the boar.
has not been lack Of power" Secreta-v
Baker replied, "but lack of -. facili-
tics to do all of the things it has be.n
gradually preparing itself to do
$50 far as / know there is no die
ference between them and me; all cf
us have changed our minds constantly -
But, he added: Nothing could be move
again with centralized purchasir, j,
agency outside Of the departments"
Senator Mcclellan and others hue-
rledly broke in with statements tn
such was not the purpose.
1he purpose is to use all cs.ab-
lishcd agencies-not changing them at
all, but merely putting them all under
ono central authority" said Senator
Mckellar.
isn't it true that Mr.. Stcttinius
practically Is director Of mutations
day in the War Department 2" asked
Senator Frelnghuysen.
"A little more than that" Secretary
Baker replied. Because the munitions
director, under the English system,
does not deal with the variety of things
that Mr.. Stettinius does"
Secretary Baker added that the War
Industries Board is not purchasing
agency, but rather production agency
Why don't you put Mr.. Stettinius at
the head of the Council of National
Defence and the War Industries Board
and make him. in effect, director of
muiitions?' asked Senator F'rclinghuy-
sen.
There is no occasion for the inter
ventlon OF new body" replied Mr.
Baker.
The problem Of the War Industries
Board, Mr. Baker added. was not only
to determine priority between the gov
ernment departments, but also to dis
tribute orders so as to dislocatc indus
try as little as possible.
New-York tribune., 1918-02-07
Insists His Bureaus
Meet Needs of War

"Should you not have another de-
partment to act as q clearing house,
headed by a business man, and direct
all purchases?" 2" persisted Senator Frc-
iinghuysen.
"No," insisted Mr.. Baker. 81 think
that would be mistakc.'
Senator Weeks asked, if it were
shown that a majority Of business men
called to aid the government were of
the opinion that legislation for CEN
tralizng Il munitions director was nee
essary, would the Secretary change his
attitude.
"But I agree with ihem," declared
the Secretary.
"But you are not doing that" said
Senator Weeks.
''l think we are" said the Secretary.
81 can't find single business man
of any standing who does not agree
that the proposition provided for in
the munitions director bill should be
adopted" continued Senator Weeks.
"My memory is that these gentlemen
did not enforce this BILL" declared
Senator Beckham, Democrat, Of Ken
lucky, referring to the testimony given
before the committee by civilian mem
bers of the various war boards.
"They did express the idea that thehe
should be some Capitalization of power
IN purchasing" he added. "Somc
thought that the reorganization plan
of the War Department would meet the
situation"
"Thcy said they thought the War
Department plan an Improvement" in
sisted Senator Weeks.
With that the committc adjourned
until an executive session to-morroy
morning, when it Will examine Major
New-York tribune., 1918-02-07
Baker Announces
March as Acting
Chief of Staff
Will Not Receive Additional
Rank at This Time,
Says Secretary

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.-Secrctary
Baker announced to-day that Major
General Peyton c. March, now chief of
artillery with General Pershing, will
return to the United States to become
acting chief of staff. General Bliss,
chief of staff, in France as the Ameri-
can representative on the Supreme War
Council, will continue on furlough for
the present.
Major General John Biddle, assistant
chief Of staff and now acting chief, Will
remain as assistant temporarily, but
later probably will be assigned to duty
in France General Pershing will Sc
lect new artillery chief to succeed
General March.
Secretary Baker reiterated that the
return of General March to head the
staff had been under consideration for
some time. Only the question of
whether he could be we'll spared from
the cNpcdtionary forces has delayed
official announcement of his appoint
ment.
Although actual head of the staff
corps, General March will not receive
additional rank at this time. Congress
has authorized only two appointments
in the general grade. one to be the
chief of staff and the other commander
in chief of American forces in France,
and the continuation of General Bliss
in the former office while he is serving
on the Allied War Council will prevent
the promotion of General March.
When General Bliss will return has
not been determined, it was stated Of
ticiallN
New-York tribune., 1918-02-07
Based Statement on
Shipping Board Plans

Senator Hitchcock said he did not
wish to be misunderstood, but orly
desired to find the basis of Mr.. Bakers
assurance to the country" that a
million men could be transported to
France during 1918.
"You said You expected to have one
million men in Franco in 1918. Now.
how would you supply them? ?" he con-
tinued
Mr.. Baker read from his original
statement that he had said a million
and half troops would be available
tor shipment in 1918 and that the
prospect of forwarding them "was not
unpromising.
"Why do you think it is not unprom-
'a'ng? insisted Senator Hitchcock.
Secretary Baker replied that csti-
mates made as to available tonnage
indicated the possibility.
When he had made the statement,
Secretary Baker added there was in
his mind the conclusions of the Ship
ping Board as to what tonnage it could
produce in 1918. There were other
factors as to shipping, he added, such
as vessels in non-cssential trade on
domestic routes which might be re-
leased by sailing ships or neutral ton
mage.
81 am asking you for the basis for
your assurance to the country that The
prospect was not unpromising that we
would have Il million mon in France
IN 191S,' persisted Selrator Hitchcock.
81 am anxious to tell you what is in
my mind,' answered Secretary Baker,
asking again that he be permitted TO
explain his statement as far as pos
sble without disclosing military in
formation.
Before General Bliss went to Eu-
rope, he said, the subject was dis
cussed with members Of the Shipping
Board and others as to the "cxtcnt to
which the Emergency Fleet Corpora
ton would supplement tho existing
tonnage" and the "eXtcnt that "ton-
mage then available to America would
need to be supplemented by interna-
tional arrangement in order to carry
out the Allied OrOrramme'
New-York tribune., 1918-02-07
Secretary Promises
Every Available Fact

Secretary Baker agreed that the COM
mlttee should have every available fact,
including confidential information. Sem
ator Weeks said he wanted to develop
just what could be done in getting
men, munitions and other products
abroad, but without disclosing conf
Dental matter.
The Massachusetts Senator said, how
ever, he thought there was "a good deal
Of camouhage about keeping informa-
ton from the enemy which is pub
lished i'll annual reports and other
wise.''
81 want to make suggestion, if I
may" Secretary Baker interposed. "rhe
misfortune for me, if may call it
such, in my first statement to the com
mittee lay in the fact that attempted
to give opinions of the broad general
situation as | saw it, when the infor-
nation lay in details that ought to
have been gotten from the experts in
direct charge, or in statistics giving
specific facts. | was attempting a gen.
eral survey. 1t was d misfortune for
me to do that. | think it better to
give the committee specific statements,
and the committee is entitled to that"
Secretary Baker proposed to have de-
tailed statements of information pre-
pared at the department and submit
ted to the committee, and then, if the
committee desired to cross examine him
later regarding the statements, he
would be glad to return.
Senator Hitchcock asked if the Sec
retary would object to giving the COM
mittec the basis for his opinion that
he expected million men would be in
France before fall.
"Not in the least" said Mr. Baker.
81 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.
New-York tribune., 1918-02-07
Secretary Bakers
Statement on Plans
For Mouing Army

Secretary Bakers cross examination
was begun by Senator Weeks (Repub-
lican), of Massachusett in connection
with the number of troops to be sent
abroad this year.
On January j. Secretary Baker said,
more troops had been transported to
France, including both non -combatant
and fighting forces, than had been
planned.
Secretary Baker and Senator Weeks
agreed that it was improper to disclose
the number Of American troops now in
France.
The much discusse. editorial in "The
metropolitan Magazine" of which Colo
mel Roosevelt was associate editor, at
lacking the War Departments prepara-
@'ons TO send troops to France came
Up again. Secretary Baker had replied
10 the editorial in his first statement
oy saying the War Department had
uone more than the magazine contend
ed it should
Did the editor have any informa-
uon other than an ordinary citizen
might have had at that timc?" asked
senator Weeks.
oh, no." said Secretary Baker, add
ing that in August, when the article
appeared, he had been quite certain
'"a' the department could do more tow
ara training troops than it had sug-
seSted, and also that there was good
promise that more could be done tow
ard getting them to France than the
@f}icle proposed
senator Weeks asked if the War De-
parement had succeeded in doing as
"'u9h as 1T had hoped for in October.
M can answer that this way" Mr..
naher said. "On January we had
..fansported to France more troops than
0uf schedule had called for"
both combatant and non -combatant
"o2ps3 up, r. asked Senator Weeks.
Baker Ne''' 9"'u MI
senator Weeks said that he had
New-York tribune., 1918-02-07
Reminds 1t Was Baker
Who Asked for Big Room

"I'm not responsible for calling the
Secretary into a larger auditorium"
Senator Weeks broke in. 81 think this
examination should have been held. as
all others, in the committees own
room. | have no desire to exploit any
thing in public"
Senator Weeks suggested that the
hearing be adjourned until Mr.. Baker
could furnish specific information de-
sired.
"The Secretary himself asked in a
letter to the chairman" Senator New,
of Indiana, Republican,, interrupted.
chat the meeting be held in large
room, where all Senator'S and Repre-
sentatives who desired could attend.
Many Senators objected and held it
was unbecomng, and this larger room
was in Difference to the Secretary"
Senator Reed said he was somewhat
inclined to the view that it would be
better to put call our cards on the
table,"
at might be WE'LL" he said, "to say
we have got so many men and so many
guns and so many ships, and we are
going to be at your throat at certain
time, but that is not the way we are
proceeding"
Senator Frelinghuyscn interrupted
and Senator Reed yielded.
l. want 10 ask question: Wnlcn
hope will pass the censor" said Sem
ator Frelinghuysen with his eyes fixed
on Senator Reed.
A tilt followed, in which Senator
Reed declared he had not been trying
to Censor the meeting"
Senator Frelinghuysen turnedto Sec
retary Baker with the statement that
the committee was not interested in
the punishment Of medical officers
found negligent. but in the protection
of the men in the camps. He said Sur
geon General Gorgas had stated to the
committee that he lacked authority to
draw the Public Health Service into
the camp sanitation work.
HAS that subject been given any
consideration ." he asked.
Secretary Baker said the recommen.
datons of the American Public Health
Association had been adopted with the
approval of the surgeons general of the
army and navy.
"Then you think that you have the
health Of the men we'll in hand?" said
Senator Frelinghauysen
"Yes."
"Do you expect to keep soldiers in
New-York tribune., 1918-02-07
Pro-Germanism in Army,
Letter to Weeks Saws

Secretary Baker said he did not per-
sonally determine the question, but
that it was done by General Bliss and
others
Upon Senator Weeks's suggestion,
the committee dropped the shipping
question until the Secretary could get
information from his department to
properly answer the questions. This
will be furnished to the committee in
executive session.
Senator Kirby wanted to adjourn
until tomorrow, when an executive
session would be held, but other SEN
ators objected, and the examination
Went OH.
Senator Weeks then asked Secretary
Baker if he knew how many pairs Of
shoes were required man in the
French and English armies. Mr.. Baker
did not. But said he would obtain the
information. The Senator said he
wanted to know in order TO determine
it we are buying more shoes than are
necessary"
Senator Weeks said hc had received
a letter, i'll which it was charged that
many men in the army arc of German
sympathy and that many "officers and
men in conversations expressed pro-
German scntiments.'
The writer OF the letter he said,
cited an instance OF an American officer
being sent home from france by Gen
cral Pcrshing tor that reason. The Sen
ator said he had also heard of chap
lain who had been dismissed for sim
liar reasons.
Secretary Baker said he had received
no information of such conditions, but
would make an inquiry.
81 don't doubt but that something of
that sort exists" said the Massachu-
sctts Senator, "and ] think we ought
to make an example Of some one"
Senator Reed said it was unfair to
question the Secretary in :arge audi
torium filled with spectators and i'm
pugning that the army was "reeking
with treason"
"Why should the question be asked
|, Aol
New-York tribune., 1918-02-07
Mr.. Hitchcock
Heck,es Baker

Mr. Hitchcock figured that OF those
100000 tons only about half would
be available for sending troops. Did
that correspond with the Secretary's
information? The Secretary had no
figures in mind. Mr. Hitchcock started
to show how few men could be main
tanned III France with those few ships,
allowing five tons to a man. Was five
tons q man the basis the Secretary
used? The Secretary didn't know. He
thought it was nearer two tons man.
The committee got nearer to Il really
worth while subject when it asked the
Secretary of War about munitions
chief. The committee insisted that
Mr.. Stettlnius seemed like all the big
men who have been brought here for
work merely in advisory capacities. Mr..
Baker, who makes fine verbal distinc-
tons, insisted that Mr.. Stettinius cad
vised authoritatively.' Still, the fact
remains that General Pierce is the final
master of supplies. Mr.. Stettinius serv-
ing under him merely to prevent con-
tilcts between the five different pur-
chasing bureaus of the War Depart
ment. He is a sort Of clearing house
OF war orders.
New-York tribune., 1918-02-07

his information, and the Secretary said
he could not remember.
"lf that statement is correct, how
many troops can we supply in Europe?"
persisted Senator Hitchcock.
~ can't answer that" said Secretary
Baker. at would depend on the basis
Of calcuation."
Senator Hitchcock said he understood
that the basis was five tons man.
Senator Weeks said he thought it was
fifty pounds man a day.
Senator Beckham interrupted, pro-
testing against "etforts to drag out Of
the Secretary indirectly, by probing
questions, information which would be
of value to the enemy.
New-York tribune., 1918-02-07
Admits the Censorship
Has Been Overly Strict

Senator Mcclellan then took up the
order forbidding publication of army
contracts. Mr.. Baker explained that
the only object was to prevent publica-
tlon of lists of plants making war sup
plies, as military men feared 'organ-
lied campaigns Of sabotage"
Il am perfectly willing to concedc,"
he said, that the order has lost it's
slgniicance.l We may have been over
Sensitive. | entirely share your view
that the utmost publicity should be
given"
Senator Wadsworth asked Mr.. Baker
to explain the functions of Edward r.
Stettinius, recently appointed surveyor
general Of War Department supplies
Mr. Baker said he had told Mr. Stct-
tinius that "his munctions were TO
grow and that the theory was to
bring the needs Of the five purchasing
New-York tribune., 1918-02-07

sources nearer home. But there is an
unpleasant impression that we are be-
ing made an audience for daily lectures
from Washington, which unfailingly
are rubbed in by our Home Rule press.
We are confident the good sense
New-York tribune., 1918-02-07
Wanted to Reveal
Everything to Public

The first effort to make out case
for reorganization revolved around the
question of how Secretary Baker ex-
nected to send 100000 men to France
This year. Some of the Senators have
declared that he has misled the coun-
try BY promising the early dispatch of
large force to Europe. They set
about proving it by trying to show that
shipping was not available. They want
Cd 10 get the proofs before the public,
ior every one here knows that the
question of reorganization depends en-
tirelv upon public sentiment. 1t is a
difficult thiDg TO get proof before the
nublic and at the same time suppress
the facts OH which the proof rests.
1t was agreed by all that it would
he improper TO publish how many men
This country has in Farnce. Flow many
tons of shipping were available for
sending and supplying troops, and
where such shipping was to be OBJ
tsined was equally matter to be kept
from the Germans. When and i'll what
numbers the dispatch OF troops was
10 take place had also to be concealed.
With all this dangerous ground
around. questions were asked Which led
10 nothing, except to the disclosure
that the Secretary didn't know person
sllv how much American tonnage was
available nor what tonnage per man
was necessary TO ship and maintain
troops abroad.
Senator Hitchcock tod the Secretary
that on November 30 the Shipping
Board had told him that there were
only 300 900 deadweight tons Of ship
ping available for transatlantic work.
Did those figures correspond with the
Secretary's information? The Secrc-
tary didn't know.
New-York tribune., 1918-02-07

and neighborly feeling Of all sensible
Americans will refuse to indorse, such
q condition of affairs, and, while we
are eager to respect their national
sensibiii.ies. our request for similar
treatment is not extravagant."
New-York tribune., 1918-02-07

General Wheeler on supplies OF explo
sivcs.
After Secretary Baker submits his
statictics another public hearing may
be arranged.
New-York tribune., 1918-02-07
Bakers Testimony
Before the Senators
fromr
Continued from page 1

,nfcrtunate impression to-day. A lit
10 while aso it was committee seek
;nr humbly and without prejudice for
.hs truth To-day it is made up of two
sae.;ons. each trying to prove it's case.
The situation has hardened into Ad-
n,;nistration and administration
md that full spirit of fairness which
Characterized the earlier stages of the
;nouiry has been lost.
New-York tribune., 1918-02-07

AL aIl?" he demanded.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-01-12

write a great deal about IT. | think IL
could be summed up very shortly.
The business girl is calm and tame
in her dealings with Il man and she
leaves no ragged edges after she
finishes a job. Perhaps the last virtue
is more important than the first, al.
though goodness knows failure to irri-
tate a man has boosted many girl on
the ladder of fame
What are ragged edges? They are
the details of your work you thought
too unimportant to finish up. They
are the things some one must follt "
after YOU and finish. And the man of
affairs might as well do the thing HIM
self as to follow up some one else and
give all the smoothing touches. The
business man looks for the final
product.
This matter OF the final product
really covers the other point men
toned, too. In looking to tho final
result the business man does not care
TO hear the ups and downs OF arriving
at it IL he has intrusted the worry of
them to you.
Ask any man. and perhaps YOU Will
thinl: these things worth thinking
about.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-01-12
A Real Youngsters Day

A good breakfast TO start him on
milk, cornmeal mush, apple sauco' IL
makes him 1T for school and ut Tor play.
Milk and plenty of IL makes him grow
a quart each day II you can. Put IL
on his cereal and in his cup. Make II
into soups, puddings or custards FOR him'
Whole milk is best, # course, but skim
milk Is good IL there is a little butter In
his meals. Cottage cheese is good. too.
No coffee or tea--not oven taste.
Leave them for the grown-ups. MIX.
cocoa. not too strong, and fruit juiceN
are the drinks for children. and plenty
Of water always.
Fruit they enjoy, and they need 1t.
too--baked apples. apple sauce. thor
oughly ripe bananas. prunes. oranges.
etc. Give them vegetables, fresh or
canned. Plenty Of fruits and vegetables
tend to prevent constipation. Use proper
food and do not depend upon laxatives,
The youngster can't be well unless the
bowels move regularly. Don't let him
hurry off in the morning without at
tending 10 this duty.
Other foods child needs: whole-wheat
bread, not too fresh, corn bread, we'll
cooked oatmeal, cornmeal, rice. They
help make strong boys and girls. Some
fats. butter or margarine or meat fats
on his bread or in gravies An egg. per-
haps, particularly If he doesn't get his
full quart of milk. or he can have a little
meat or fish. but he does not need much.
Sweets are good fer them--the right
ones at the right time. Dites. raisins,
stewed fruits. simple puddings. sugar
cookies. are better than candy. Give
them at meal times.
Between meals let them have bread
and butter, cracker or fruit. They
won't spoil the appetite. and candy will
United States Food Administration.