Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-01-29

Pershing that he does not desire Lewis
guns for use on land. General Perish
ing and his staff desire them only for
aircraft.
In the meantime the French gov
eminent is able to supply us with light
French guns and heavy Hotchkiss
guns for the troops that are abroad
and that will be sent for the present.
We have ordered all the Lewis guns
we could get and have encouraged the
company to extend its plant for in
creased production"
On the point of big guns Sec. Baker
recalled that General Croker, chief of
ordnance, had urged Congress and the
various secretaries continuously for
larger programs because of the time it
took to manufacture guns.
We had a limited amount Of artil-
lery and our first step" the secretary
said, was to speed up that already or
dered and in process of manufacture.
He said British and French theory of
artillery usage differed and added:
We had to decide for ourselves
what We should use"
Experts sent Abroad
Army experts We're sent abroad to
study the question. Early in June it
was intimated that France had so far
accelerated her program that the
wastage of industry would not fully
occupy her resources and that she
could supply artillery fox American
forces then going to France, without
curtailins her own forces
On July IS or a." Mr.. Baker contin-
ued, IAN agreement was made by
which the French government agreed
to supply the principal pieces OF -
mliiimeter field guns and 1855 MILNE
ter rapid firer howitZers needed for the
American forces being sent abroad
The American government wished to
adopt the quickest solution to get the
largest supply in the shortest possible
tune. At that time. although we We're
sending troops to France. it was not in
any large numbefs-a matter some
what for the remote future"
You thought il vas better to use
the French factories instead of wait
ing to build our own" asked Senator
Reed
Exactly" Secretary Baker replied
Also it saved tonnage. And I'm telling
no secrets when | say that ships q =
the cruX of this problem and every tim,
we can use French industrial resources
lnste ID Of :;1aking and sending or o"n
products we are doing it."
*'ci' taly Baker ten produced :. ,ol-
eEram from Major General Bliss. III .et
n yI-ia hn
abroad. citing the unanimous agree.
ment OF the interallied military repre-
sentatiNes for American forces 10 Sc
cure artillery from England and Franc
for all American forces sent abroad thi;
year and as long thereafter As pussibi.
NJ Burden on Allies
Il have seen in the newspapers MI
Baker continued. that this is putting
burden on France | say to you, gen.
tlemen, that Marshal j lI.,,c and his As
sCciate:, General Bril-,ai ar.l ~ his
a'sot iateS of Great Britain and in fact
al persons or commissions that ha {
come to this country with any ;lnowI-
edge O. conditions-all bring INC tbs
confidence and positive 4 :surance tina,
.anu and France the things that they
meet. hut are helping thor industr;a
processes ana saving tonnage. and
making proper co-ordinated military Of
forts with our allies
Statistics Of manufacture in this
country of artillery were given ny Sec.
rotary Baker. some publicly and sorne
to the committee in confidence He SAID
for example. that the first three-incl
ani-aircraft gun was delivered TINS
rlCnt'i and that its prod Iction il rising
steadily to an estimated 800 per mont
minimum
Senator FrelinghUys said he I'M
derstood the shell-making capacity OF
the country had dropped 10 per cent
after the United States entered tbs
war. the war department having per
mitted plants to go out of business ant
be diSmantled
Secretary Baker said he had no in
formation On that point but would Oh
ts:'- it for the committee.
Secretary Baker said the idea haC
gotten abroad that the American army
uniform was part shoddy. He deClar-
ed il is all wool and said that shoddy
was put only in overcatts and blankets
Secretary Baker read a report show
ms SO, 09O, 200 shells We're under MANI
facture for delivery this year, with an
inCreaS of > per cent in manufacture
of 10 millimeter and 1-2-incn shells
and % per cent. iii heavier sizes since
the country entered the war.
Referring to conditions at Camp
q no lot
ter from Major General Nicholson,
saying there had never been - tim
when each soldier had not had three
suits of heavy underwear and sufficient
i,eavy socks. He also reported Tho food
situation was adequate.
The secretary then took up the dis
cussion of the weight of uniforms and
overcoats.
Whether heavier cloth ought TO y"
obtained, has not been determined" ne
said. General Pershing has appointed
experts to investigate and report Is
to be made before Feb. !.
To the report on progress of shell
making. Senator Frelinghuysen of New
Jersey said:
From my information | am inclined
to challenge that statement"
Secretary Baker said it was hur-
riedly prepared by Gen. Wheeler. act
ing quartermaster genetal, but he be-
lieved it accurate.
Army Well Fed
Il want to make one further obser-
Walton" Secretary Baker proceeded.
taking up army food Il think it IS
NOT unfair for me TO say that, in the