The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-02-06


ed particularly the secretary Of wars
statement that the United States
could put a million men in France
this year-in addition to 500, 600 there
early this spring-was insistent that
Mr.. Baker should show the commit
tee what grounds he had for believ-
ing there were ships available for
I their transport and supply.
Secretary Baker replied he did not
have the exact figures in his mind,
but that his statement was made on
figures which had been prepared by
experts who took in the information
at the disposal Of the shipping board
as we'll as what ships might be
available from neutral and foreign
sources. The secretary made plain
that he was not counting wholly on
American ships to transport the
troops.
Secretary Baker did say, however,
that probably the form OF his original
statement 10 the committee. which
has been made the basis OF attack,
was unfortunate in that IL express
ed his general opinion Of the broad
situation rather than the exact state
ment of experts dealing in details.
Gave General Opinion.
Tho misfortune for me, il I may
call it SUCH" said Secretary Baker.
LAY in the fact that ] attempted 10
give opinions Of the broad general
situation as ! saw il when the in
formation lay in details that ought
TO have been gotten from the ex-
perts I'm direct charge. or in statis-
tics giving specific facts. was
attempting a general survey. II was
a misfortune for me to do that"
An estimate 9f 791 900 tons of
arNf aHN Ess
], the secretary said, he had thought
was small rather than too largs.
The shipping board, Senator |
Hitchcock said, had advised him that |
on Nov. l there were available $50 |
American ships, all OF more than ], -
500 tons each, including tank ships |
and the German and Austrian ships |
taken over.
Mr.. Baker did not know how many
troops that number Of ships would !
transport but promised to inform the
committee later.
He gave the opinion that new
legislation would be desirable to give
the President general powers to
transfer and coordinate functions Of
various departments as conditions
arise.
Possibility that the actual DUR
chasing power for the war depart
ment may be largely placed in the
hands OF Edward r. Stettinius.
surveyor general, was indicated by
Secretary Baker.
Mr.. Stettinius Is relied upon to do
this thing" he said.
Reorganization Plans.
As the examination turned TO the
question of supplies for the army it
became apparent from the nature Of
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that he and President Wilson had
been discussing some form OF fur
ther reorganization OF the war de-
partment which they hoped would
satisfy those who are pres sing the
bill for a director of munitions.
1t was indicated earlier i'm the day,
also in other official quarters that
.he President and the secretary OF
war hoped by furth 9r move TO meet
the demand for the bill.
Il have a feeling" Mr.. Baker said
In reply to Senator Wadsworth, that
legislation that would free the Presi-
ient's hand and allow him TO transfer
functions and coordinate the needs
" the departments as they arise
would be the best answer to the
All departments are
growing. / am, as you ]
know, continually creating new
agencies, and sometimes when in
ioubt have to study the statutes
carefully as to how far my authority
yoes. If the President were simply !
authorized to reorganize. AMI reco-
ordinate and transfer functions as he
,ees fit, we could go TO him and ,
secure the necessary orders as were
leemed desirable"
Senator Wordsworth said he refer
ed particularly TO statutes placing
checks and balances on
of army funds.
TT might, perhaps. be wise." Secre-
AIRY Baker continued, during the
Deriod Of the war, TO authorize the
President to suspend any restrictive
tatute that might be found to inn
1ede efficiency. I'm not sure that II
s wise not to have these checks and
We are spending
'ery large sums of money and Il
eems to be wise TO check expendi-
ures very carefully"
Senator Wadsworth cited delays in Z
,aying troops and Secretary Baker
aid that that was a disappearing,
difficulty"
Questioned as to delay in payments
o the families OF soldiers, Mr.. Baker J
aid indefinite addresses of de- :
left by the soldier, fire.
uently produced that result. Diff
ulties Of accounting for Liberty
.ond payments, insurance and de-
,endent allowances also served TO !
.old up pay Of whole regiments as z
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