Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1918-01-10
Secretary Baker Tells Sen
ate Committee of the
Work of His Department
Since the War Began.
More Has Been Done Than
Anybody Dared Believe
Possible - New Worlds
Record for Organizing and
Equipping Great Army.

Washington, Jan. 10.-No army of
has ever been raised, equipped or
trained so quickly as the present
American army, Secretary Of War
Baker today told the state military
probers.
Answering criticisms of his depart
ment, he contrasted the position OF
the United States nine months after
war was declared, with that of Great
Britain.
Remember that eight months after
the war broke out, Kitchener's army
was still drilling in top hats and with
walking sticks" Baker said. He stout
ly declared that considering the mag
uitude of Americas problem and the
utter lack of any preparedness pro-
gram, the war departments accom-
plishment should be a source OF pride,
not condemnation.
"SPLENDlD EFFECTIVENESS"
Pointing to the fact that in nine
months all branches of the army have
grown from 9524 officers to 110.S56 Of
ficers and from 202,510 men TO 1,42S,-
$50 men, he answered his critics with
a broad outline of work accomplished
"a work which he held showed the
splendid effectiveness" of the Amer
lean people.
American accomplishments, he said.
are such as to depress German morale,
when the Germans realize that the
American democracy has neither
blundered nor hesitated, but has act
ually brought the full power of it's
men and resources into completely or
ganized strength against their mill
tary machine"
CONDITIONS IMPROVING.
Health in camps is rapidly improv-
ing; the clothing shortage Is prac-
tically met; the death rate is lower
than in civil life; further increments
of the army ''can be adequately equip
ped and trained as rapidly as those al
ready in training can be transported"
he declared.
All this, he added, has been accom-
plished without serious industrial dis
turbances: the spirit Of the army is
high, 1t is well fed; all kinds of guns
are available for every soldier who
can be gotten to France in the year
1885," and great programs of new in
struments of war have been fomu-
lated"
LACK OF EXPERTS.
He did not answer criticism in de-
tail in his statement. AS for the ord
nance department he pointed to lack
of experts available, and to the tre-
mendous expansion required at the
start of the war.
The war council, he announced, will
add army officers and men from civil
life from time to time. Re-organiza
tion of the ordnance branch is well
under way while the quartermaster
branch is undergoing shifts in which
army men and civilians will be utilized.
1t was anticipated. too that Baker
would take occasion to discuss his
plans for centralizing purchases ana
supplies. AS for the council of ma
tional defense and war Industries
board, he felt they had filled import
ant inches.
ASKS FOR co.
Baker asked the cooperation and
advice of the military probers. but
without apology for shortcomings. he
said in conclusion:
1--WE can now see the entire situa-
tion. The international rush needs are
substantially supplied. The technical
corps have been expanded and reor-
ganized on Industrial and efficient
lines. The CO. coordination of all inter-
national needs with our purchases has
been effected. An agency exists to
prevent conflicts and to adjust those
which cannot be prevented.
by the cooperation of all interests
and all people in the country the ma
tion Ii now organized and set to its
task with-unanAnity Of spirit and con-
eidence in its powers.
ERRORS OF JUDGMENT.
MORE HAS BEEN DONE THAN
(Continiied on Page Two)