Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-01-28

Reason for Hearing.
For one reason or another the i'm.
preston kas gone out into the coun-
try to some extent that the war de-
partment has fallen down in the con-
duct Of the war" said Secretary
Baker. II want to address myself
There are several reasons why I
should ask the comnaittee to hear me.
First. tha. country, III entitled-.to know
E+&MAt. .is, a. fact Thsa country is en-
: Ne dSstos lts9E what this war is and
khat the problems are and how we
are to meet them. Second, have
. deep sense of duty to the onicers
and the civiliar.s. that are labortns
With devotion, sacrifice and zeal and
are spending sleepless nights to bring
this army up to its greatest efficiency
and success"
~; Loyal Spirit Of Officers. ys
GERS, Secretary Baker said he had
seen strong. grizzled men turn away
from his desk in tears when they
had found that they could not go to
France. where the glory of their
profession lay" but must remain in
Washington to press forward war
PREPARATIONS. There was no case. he
added, Of any officer who had not ac-
cepted his duty with his whole heart.
y Men Of high. places in civil life
throughout -the,country, he said, ha0
como to Washington to accept salar-
les of Office boys, many no salaries
At all. to place their experience at
the disposal Of the nation. -.-,
Gentlemen" said the secretary.
speaking with great earnestness. sit
would be tragical thing IL this mo-
mentous effort were to deserve the
comment that 1t had, fallen down"
4 .sr' ID 1t Greatly"
The impauence Of the whole coun-
try to do this thing greatly" he said.
probably inspired much of the crit
icism. Every one of us wants to see
our country hit like man at the ad-
versary.
1--WE look back over the past and
see that there have been shortcom-
ings; that there have been delays
There are things that could have been
better done. But our efforts is to
learn.
.."1 have no purpose to defend in.
dividuals or myself. If discuss here
individuals by name; II l refer to
General Crozier or General Sharpe
it clear. II any of us should figure
in tomorrows casualties it would be
as nothing beside the object we all
seek I am not here to deny short.
comings. but ] think can say this:
That where we have found such
shortcomings or mistakes, we have
made every effort to correct them.
most earnestly ask that when you
have pointed out to you any short.
coming, whether it seems we'll found.
Cd or not, that you instantly refer
1t to me in order that the processes
Of the department may sift the truth. ;
Wrong Impression.
. From Senator Chamberiain's speech
Mr.. Baker said 1t had seemed to him
tors purpose to make it so appear
the country got an impression from
tho failures and delays that made
them "DispropoFtionate to what wal
going on
The secretary said there might be
instances of SHORTCOMINGS but only
instances" ~
When he appeared previously. Mr.
Baker said 1t WAS with the intention
Of being frank but despite this de-
sire he seemed ito have left the feel
ing that was fencing in defense Of
some of my subordinates." He denied
any such intention and said when he
concluded, IL there was anything els<
the committee desired to investigate
he would do everything possible with
in HIS power to assist without fear Of
favor and to effect any improve
ment
Tho secretary said that when h,
heard of the two letters read by Sen
ator Chamberlain concerning bA1