Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-02-08

ADDRESS .................
- WHM n ~ - - - n
the shipping board a statement of avail
able American tonnage on November 80
that there were $50 ships of 3,72l,S06
lightweight tons, including tankers and
former German and Austrian ships, all
over 1900 tons.
THAT was the grand total at the dis
posal of the United States" said SEN
ator Hitchcock, adding that excluding
passenger ships, tankers and other non
cargo carrying ships only about 1,4OO,OOO
tons was available for supply and trans
portation of troops.
Senator Hitchcock asked Secretary
Baker if that statement conformed to
his information and the secretary said
he could not remember.
IF that statement is correct, how
many troops can we supply In Europe!
persisted Senator Hitchcock.
Il can't answer that" said Secretary
Baker "It would depend on the basis
of calculation"
Senator Hitchcock said he understood
that basis was five tons per man. SEN
ator Weeks said he thought it was III
ty pounds per man per day.
Senator Beckham interrupted protest
ing against efforts to drag out or the
secretary indirectly, by probing ques-
tons information which would be Oh
value to the enemy.
Senator Hitchcock said he did not wish
to be misunderstood, but only desired
to find the basis of Mr.. Bakers assur-
ance to the country that million men
could be transported to France during
1918.
"You said you expected to have 1,0oN-
600 men in France in 1918. Now, how
would you supply them?' he cont1n-
ued.
Prospects Of Shipping
Mr.. Baker read from his original
statement that he had said million
and a half troops would be available for
shipment in 1918 and that the prospect
of forwarding them was not unpromis-
ing"
why do you think it is not unprom-
ising?" insisted Senator Hitchcock.
Secretary Baker replied that esti-
mates made as to available tonnage In
dictated the possibility.
When he made the statement, Secre-
tary Baker added there was in his mind
the conclusions of the shipping board as
| to what tonnage it could produce in
1918. There were other factors as to
shipping, he added, such as vessels in
non-esesntial trades and domestic routes
which might be released by sailing ships
| or neutral tonnage.
81 am asking you for the basis of your
assurance to the country that the pros
pect was not unpromising that we
would have a million men in France IN
1915" persisted Senator 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 posi-
BILE without disclosing military informa'
| ton.
Before General Bliss went to Europe
he said, the subject was discussed with
members of the shipping board and
| others as to the extent to which the
emergency fleet corporation would sup
| plement the existing tonnage" and the
extent that tonnage then available tc
America would need to be pplementeG
| by international arrange. in order
| to carry out the allied l.. gram"
Bliss Determined Question
| Secretary Baker said he did not per-
sonally determine the question. but that
it was done by General Bliss and others
Upon Senator Weeks suggestion, the
committee dropped the shipping ques-
ton until the secretary could get in
| formation from his department to prop
erly answer the questions. This will be
| furnished to the committee in executive
| session.
Senator Kirby wanted to adjourn un.
til tomorrow when an executive session
would be held, but other senators OBJ
| jected and the examination went on.
Senator Weeks then asked if Score
| tary Baker knew how many pairs OF
shoes were required per 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 if we
are buying more shoes than are neces-
/ sary."
| Senat )r Weeks said he had received a
letter in which it was charged that
many men in the army are of German
sympathy and that many Officers and
men in conversations expressed pro-
German sentiment"
The writer of the letter, he said, cited
| an instance Of an American officer be-
| ing sent home from France by General
Pershing for that reason. The SENATOR
said he had also heard of a chaplain
who had been dismissed for similar
reasons.
| Secretary Baker said he had received
no information of such conditions, but
| would make an inquiry.
81 don't doubt but that something nt
that sort exists" said the Massachu-
! sets senator, land l think we ought TO
make an example of some one"
Senator Reed said it was unfair 10
question the secretary in a large audi
torium filled with spectators, and i'm
pugning that the army was reeking with
treason.
why should the question be asked at
all?" the senator demanded.
infArrMntA
Senator Reed yielded
81 want to ask a question, which
hope will pass the censor" said Senator
FreIinghuysen, with his eyes fixed on
Senator Reed.
A tilt followed in which Senator Reed