Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-15
Secretary of War Puffs
Cigar Calmly As Solons
Shoot Holes in His Glow
ing Summary of Condi-
tons.
LAUGHS WHEN TELLING
OF MACHINE GUN LACK

tu0 Sc11dtc MILITARY COumlISc wa
warmed up by rapid cross fire o
questions by senators of both parties
who did not agree with the general!
favorable view Of war preparation
depicted by Mr.. Bakers statement o
yesterday.
The senators declared his declare
ton that war supplies we're adequate
would mislead the country. Seuato
Weeks declared the country ''shoult
not be 1ulled to sleep by genera
statement of facts that don't exist.
GRiLLlNG Is LIVELY.
Mr.. Baker explained that he mean
to convey only the impression that al
the men ready for the fighting line arr
adequately equipped.
Senators Wadsworth and Weeks
republicans, and Senators Chamber
lain and Hitchcock. democrats, tool
the lead in cross examining the secre
tary and at times handled him with
out gloves.
When the examination Of Secre
tary Baker was resumed today
Chairman Chamberlain said there
were fears for powder production.
1.-THE situation is satisfactory and
think supplies are and will continue
adequate" replied Secretary Baker.
Senator Wadsworth asked about the
board of labor standards, which testj-
mony has said has pacifists and social
lists among its members and is requir-
Ing new specifications in army cloth
contracts which will reduce produc.
ton.
DEFENDS FACTORY BOARD.
81 know their character and expert
qualifications well,' said Secretary
Baker in defense of the board.
Senator Wadsworth said the boards
requirements we're SO rigid the produc-
ton of army garments is being de-
layed. Any delay is slight, Secretary
Baker said, and health of factory
workers is an important consideration
WADSWORTH TAKES ISSUE.
r-@'I must disagree with you that the
delay is slight" said Senator Wads.
worth. Senator Wadsworth said a
witness had testified the boards con.
tract standards threaten to cause
strikes and require employees to re.
ceive labor leaders. He thought labor
agitators would stir up trouble.
any considerable number of contract
ors were refusing to execute contracts
because of the new labor standards.
BAKER LACKS INFORMATION.
Turning to artillery, Senator Wads'
worth assailed the ordnance bureau
for not continuing manufacture OF
French 24O-millimeter guns instead Of
proceeding with manufacture of Amer.
ican 9.5 guns, none of which have been
delivered and whose ammunition is
not interchangeable with the French.
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 the committee said Senator
wadsworth pounding the table with
his fist.
REvIsEs STATEMENT.
Senator Wadsworth asked whether,
q view Of the shortage Of artillery
ond machine guns, the secretary's
statement that there we're sufficient
supplies, substantially for rush
needs" was correct.
Eyes, perfectly, as l understand II"
said Mr.. Baker. "Our rush needs are
satisfied"
S0u0LOI NloluUCl loAA eSohOO oSSA u
tary Baker how he could say that
when cantonments are short Of rifles
and machine guns and artillery.
81 mean that we have sufficient for
the men actually engaged in fighting"
GUNS FOR MEN OVERSEAS.
"You mean then that there is
enough for men in France?" Senator
NcKellar.
"Yeo," said the secretary.
your statement that we have sub
stantially enough gives a wrong i'm
preston to the country, when we
have only enough for men actually
fighting and not for those in training"
Senator Wadsworth interjected.
II agree with Senator Wadsworth,'
said Chairman Chamberlain, that
your statement gives a wrong impress
sion to the country. 1t was not your
purpose. but it is its effect"
"WHAT I MEANT TO SAY"
What l mean to say and what l
want the country to understand Mr..
Baker replied earnestly, 'is that all
the troops in France will be adequate
ly equipped with artillery and arms
Probably observed Senator Cham
berlain.
81 have assurances TO that effect,
Mr. Baker testified.
"The statement leaves the impress
sion that the situation is rosy one
and that we have all the artillery we
need" said Senator Wadsworth. dis
agree 1t is not an accurate discrip- |
ton of the situation
SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT"
Mr.. Baker insisted that his state
ment regarding adequacy of ordnance
for rush needs was substantially
correct. He admitted that ordnance
was needed for training men in camp.
Time needed to train men in France,
he said, will give time to increase
ordnance supplies.
Senator Weeks cited the general
ordnance shortage at Camp Bowie,