The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-01-26
BAKER SHoCLD BE OUSTED.
Colonel Roosevelt Declares None But
Efficient Men Are Wanted.

Washington, Jan. 26.-Colonel Theo
dore Roosevelt declared in an exclusiv,
interview, granted Transcript CORES
pondent,, yesterday afternoon, that thu
war department must be reorganizeC
from top to bottom, if America is Il
do what il should do in the world war
| He said that not only must Secretary
of War Baker be removed, but that four
ffths of his subordinates in the depart
ment officers as well as civilians, must
be ousted. He emphasized even more
strongly that every one Of the successors
OF the present officials should be efficient
red -blooded, capable men
"My schedule is so crowded that
can give you only a moment. | am very
| sorry" the colonel said.
what, in your opinion does the war
| department need most?" asked the cor
respondent.
MANY things must be DONE replied
the colonel. THE department should be
completely recognized. Secretary Bak.
err should 90 and fourth -ffths of his sub
ordinates should go The present chief
OF staff is inefficient and so was his pre-
decessor. We should have a new chief
of staff We should have new men else
where, too. | must emphasize this point,
also. The new officials must be of a
different calibre than the present Off
cials. They must be up TO the mark
in every particular. We must not take
the men at the top to get the best men.
We must 90 down, take a major here
and a captain there, second lieutenant
and first lieutenant Get the eff
cient men.
Just because a mutton headed Official
has been able to hold down his job for
forty years doesn't mean that he should
be retained now. Pick out the big man
regardless of his rank. That is all | can
say now
May / ask one question about poll
tics?" queried the correspondent.
Certainly, ask it," said the colonel
at is reported in political circles here
that you have broken with George W
Perkins, and for that reason an attempt
is being made TO remove him from the
counsels of the Republican party" said
the correspondent.
II regret such stesies," said the colo
mel. "The report is absolutely untrue.
They have said for four years that
was the tool of George w. Perkins. That
was untrue What they say now is just |
as untrue. | am friend of his and he
is friend of mine"
''Now | must hurry along. but Just one |
more word. "the colonel said in con |
Guiding the interview. II shall talk |
about many matters when | speak be- |
fore the Republican state convention in
Bangor, Me-, on March 25.'
With this statement, he shook hands |
with the correspondent and entered an
other room where other callers were |
waiting to see him,
In justice to the colonel it should be !
said that the above quotation may not
be exactly his words, as he talked very
rapidly. but in substance the quotation
Is accurate.
There has been an endless stream of
callers at the home of Congressman
ever since he reached Wash
ngton. They arrive before he gets up /
N the morning and that is at sun. 4
.ise-and they are there up to the time
ne retires for the night So many peo-
Die want To see him that he can give
,nly minute to each individual.
That he has accomplished a great deal
If good is generally admitted: