The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1918-01-11
WAR SECRETARY
UNDER FIRE OF
QUESTIONS FROM.
HIS Chief CRITICS.
Members of Senate Mill
tary Committee Cross
examine Him Closely
HANDLED AT TIMES
WITHOUT GLOVES"
Claim Declaration That
Supplies Are Adequate,
Misleads Country
PROBE MACHINE
GUN SITUATION
Baker Smiles and Smokes
As He Answers Ques-
tions Fired at Him
PROBE MACHINE
GUN SITUATION
tRy Associated Press.l

Washington, Jan. 11.-Secretary
Bakers examination today before
the senate military committee was
warmed up by a rapid cross fire OF
questions by senators of both parties
who did not agree with the general
ly favorable view of war prepara-
tions depicted by Mr.. Bakers state
ment of yesterday.
The senators declared his declara-
ton that war supplies were ade-
Quate would mislead the country.
Senator Weeks declared the coun-
try should not be lulled to sleep by
a general statement of facts that
don't exist"
Mr.. Baker explained that he
meant to convey only the impress
sion that all the men ready for the
lighting line were adequately equip
ped.
Senators Wadsworth and Weeks,
Republicans, and Senators Cham
berlain and Hitchcock, Democrats,
took the lead in cross examining the
secretary and at times handled him
without gloves.
Chairman Chamberlain said there
were fears for powder production.
The situation is satisfactory and
I think supplies are and will con-
tinue adequate" replied Secretary
Senator Wadsworth asked about
the board Of labor standards which
testimony has said has pacifists and
Socialists among its members and is
requiring new specifications in army
cloth contracts which win reduce
production.
II know thelr. character ana expert
qualifications ven said Secretary
g.
Senator Wadsworth said the
boards requirements were so rigid
that production OF army garments is
being delayed.
Any delay is slight, Secretary
Baker said, and health of factory
workers Is an important considera-
tion.
Il must disagree with you that the
delay is slight" said Senator Wads-
worth.
Senator wadsworth said a witness
had testified the boards contract
standards threaten to cause strikes
and require employers to receive
labor leaders. He thought labor
agitators would stir up trouble.
Mr.. Baker denied knowledge that
any considerable number OF contrac-
tors were refusing to execute con-
tracts because Of the new labor
standards.
Board Advisory Only.
Senator Weeks thought the board
had too large and very drastic pow
ers, but Mr.. Baker contended the
boardis functions are purely
advisory. Chairman Kerstein, he
said, was Boston business man,
Captain Krensi, an army officer, and
the third member, Florence Kelly, a
social welfare worker.
Senator Weeks challenged the
statement that the board was only
advisory and complained of the
multiplicity of new and special
boards and committees.
Persons with business are passed
along from corridor to corridor and
building to building trying to find
the right federal agency with which
10 do business" said the senator.
Turning to artillery, Senator Wads-
worth assailed the ordnance bureau
for not continuing manufacture Of
the French 240 millimetre guns in
stead of proceeding with manufac-
ture Of American 9.5 guns, none of
which have been delivered and whose
ammunition lis not interchangeable
with the French.
Secretary Baker said he thought,
but was not sure, that the depart
ment was making the French type
and promised to give further
information.
There has been no explanation
vet given the committee" said Sem
ator Wordsworth, pounding the table
with his FIST.
Senator Wadsworth asked whether,
in view Of the shortage of artillery
and machine guns the secretary's |
statement that there were sufficient
supplies substantially for rush
needs was correct.
"Rush Needs" Satisfied.
Eyes perfectly, as I understand it"
said Mr.. Baker Our rush needs are
satisfied
Senator Chamberlain asked Baker
how he could say that when canton
ments were short rifles and machine
guns and artillery.
II mean that we have sufficient
for the men actually engaged in |
Your statement that we have
substantially enough gives a wrong |
impression to the country, when we |
have only enough for men actually |
in the fighting and not for those in |
training Senator Wadsworth inter- |
~ agree with Senator Wadsworth, q
said Chairman Chamberlain, that |
your statement gives a wrong im-
preston to the country. 1t was not
your purpose, but it is its effect"
what I meant to say and what /
! want the country to understand /
Mr.. Baker replied earnestly, ''is that /
Ell the troops in France will be ade-