El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-02-04
j. s. CANT SEND
ENOUGH TROOPS
Statement of Secretary of
War Is Attacked by Sen
ator Hitchcock.
Continued from page IL

that the president does not know the
real situation. He cannot give two
months to an investigation such as we
have done. Like king, surrounded
by court, he hears practically only
one side. The people who complain
do not reach the president nor even
the members of his cabinet. They
come to senators and representatives.
The president and secretary OF war
have evidently realized the defect of
the existing system and attempted to
change il without legislation, but
without success"
s=~s StettIuius Lacks Authority.
Praising Edward Stettinius. the war
deDartment's new surveyor of pur-
chases, senator Hitchcock said he is
without legal authority like all the
other volunteer agencies. and that a
legally constituted munitions director
was needed.
Senator Hitchcock said Great Britain
and France both had been forced to
remedy government weakness By
system similar to the war cabinet and
suggested that the president, under
the bill. would appoint and direct the
war cabinet and. If he pleases. could
appoint secretaries BIcAdoo, Baker and
Daniels as the members.
Shortages. Sickness and Death.
The war departments obsolete
methods, the senator said. had brought
the expected results. confusion Of
authority. red tame. eircumlocution and
capacity" and he cited evidence
given in the military committees in
quiry Of clothing. rifle and equipment
shortage and sickness and deaths in
camps as the result of overcroWding
and lack of clothing.
I'VE found we must depend on over
worked and over strained France for
chine rr-Ff1
nearly the end of this year" he said.
adding that the first American made
heavy artillery viii not be received
until July and mot much before 1913
can we expect TO use in France Amer |
lean heavy artillery in any great |
quantity
just Starting Powder Plants.
I'VE found" he continued. that |
only now we are just beginning work 1
on two great powder plants to cost |
S6e.000.00O and cannot get powder /
from these plants before August We 1
found that. though the medical de- |
nartment asked for hospital ships last 1
July, they have not yet been ordered. /
Much Work Ably Done.
u do not deny that we also found /
much that was creditable and salts i
factory. The task undertaken was a 1
huge one and much of the work has 4
ment officials most severely criticised /
have worked desperately hard. This /
comment covers the secretary him
self. This leads me to hold q defec- |
tive organization responsible for the 1
to a greater degree than
any individual or group Of individ-
uals."
Two courses were open to the com
mittee as a result of the investiga-
ton. said senator Hitchcock. to re-
port conditions. making a few scape-
goats and ignoring the greatest evil
OF defective machinery" or recon
mending legislation 70 give the presi-
dent AN Up to date war making or I.
ganiZation-"
Cross Examination Postponed.
Secretary Bakers cross examina-
ton before the senate military COM
mittee was postponed until Wednes-
day.
Too Many shoes Ordered.
Senator Williams. Of Mississippi an
administration spokesman. asked SEN
ltor Hitchcock for his authority for
4 statement that q 900. 600 pairs Of
Hitchcock said it came from civilian
officials in high position.
Then its mere hearsay after all,
senator Williams replied
The Nebraska senator added he IN
ierstood 100000 more pairs had been
ordered and he hoped the allies
would take some OF them off our
lands"
Meat Cargo Spells.
When senator Hitchcock said he
vas advised that large quantity of /
neat on q ship had spoiled by a blum {
Ter in turning off the refrigeration
liant, Democratic leader Martin asked ]
he authority for the statement Sen
ltor Hitchcock said il was widely /
published and never denied Senator !
Weeks, Republican Of the military |
committee said the quartermaster
generals department had admitted il.
Senator Williams demanded that &;
senator Hitchcock disclose the names I
II his informant in all cases and sen !
ltor Hitchcock declined
Williams Enters General Denial.
Senator Williams then replied that
n accordance with legal practice he {
would enter a general denial"
And I shall leave II to the jury"
ejOined senator Hitchcock
In support Of senator Hitchcock !
statement on shoes ordered. senator
dcKellar, another Democratic mem
yer Of the military committee. cited
he report Of the qUartermaster gen
raj that from March to Dec. 81. 1917,
riders were given for 21.117,0OO pairs
7 am not going to delay the senate
With all the proof" said Mr.. Hitch
81 n ~. 60 7