The Weston leader. [volume] (Weston, Umatilla County, Or.) 189?-1946, 1918-02-01
WAR SECRETARY SAYS
MISTAKES MAGNIFIED
Answers Senator Chamber
lain's Accusations and Ex.
plains Circumstances.

day replied to Senator Chamberlain q
charges Of inefficisncy In the war de
partment at a public hearing before
the senate military committee.
He conceded freely that in so great
an enterprise 1t was impossible that
there should not be delays and short.
comings"
America. Secretary Baker stated.
will have an army OF 100000 In France
early this year. with 100000 more
trained and equipped ready to follow
as quickly as ships can be provided to
carry them--and the outlook for ships
Is not unpromising.
While many things disclosed were
impressive. the committee was frankly
amazed when told that the men Of 30
national guard and national army div.
isional camps are ready to 90 at call.
He spoke eJtemporaneously. begin
ming the details Of the mammoth task
Of building an army OF 100000, an
swering such complaints OF inefficien-
cy as we're cited by Senator Chamber
lain in his recent speech and declaring
that such instances we're isolated and
not general.
Number Of Complaints Small.
The secretary said when he heard
OF the two letters read BY Senator
Chamberlain concerning bad treatment
OF sick soldiers he Immediately asked
Mr.. Chamberlain for all the details.
Il want TO follow those through to
the very end" said he. "and find out
who is responsible. in order that l
can punish the guilty"
Although more than 100000 are
under arms in this country. Mr.. Baker
said. the number of complaints re-
ceiyed have been relatively small.
probably not more than Is. In each
instance. he said. investigations have
been made Immediately.
Major.General Wood. Mr.. Baker
said. recommended calling out large
army although the men could not be
provided at once with rifles and cloth
ing.
Every soldier who needs a rifle has
one, Secretary Baker said. and of a
better type than il the British Enfield
rifle had been adopted.
Pershins Against Lewis Guns.
Defending the lack Of Lewis ma
chine guns. Secretary Baker reiter.
ated that General Pershing does not
want Lewis guns for the ground forces,
but only for aviation.
Some reports, the secretary said,
have not proved serious upon inquiry,
while others had in which case cor.
recuons followed.
In, the case of the body of an Of.
ficer who died at an aviation training
school being shipped home in sheet,
Secretary Baker said, inquiry devel
opod that the camp was in charge OF
a British aviation officer who fol-
lowed the British method of sending
bodies home unclothed, the mans
clothes being shipped in separate
parcel, An American officer was then
put in charge.
Generals Decided Adoption Of Rifle.
Taking up Senator Chamberlains
attack on the ordnance bureau, Mr.. /;
Baker said that mems minds differed
about the types of guns to be used
and about the quantity. He then dis
closed that the decision to adopt the
socalled rechambered Enfield rifle
was reached late one night in his
office at a conference attended by
General Pershing, who was preparing
to go TO France; General Scott, chief
Of staff; General Bliss. assistant
,hief; General Crozier, chief of ord.
nance, and General Kuhn, then head !
If the war college. and several other
'taff officers, experts in rifles" II {
vas late in May or early in June.
THAT decision made that night"
Ir. Baker added, referring to the con-
erence held at which it was decided
o change the American rifle. had the {
unanimous consent of every man at
no couferenre"