Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-02-06

Senator Reed.
A tilt followed. IN which Senator
Reed declared he had not been trying
to censor" the meeting.
Senator Frelinghuysen said the COM
mittec was not interested In the pun
ishment a( medical officers. but In the
protection OF the men in camp. He
said the surgeon general stated he
lacked authority to draw the public
health service into the sanitation work.
Secretary Baker said the recon-
mendatlon of tho American Public
Health Association had been adopteA.
Then you think you have the health
of the men well In hand?" said the
senator.
Yes"
Favors Sending Unframed Men.
Declaring that Everybody knows
that half Of tie men. both officers ana
enlisted NJ, .,S-sthc camps have never
been tr' IS a artillery or machine
guns r McKellar asked the
50 ~ he thought 1t wise to send
. France unframed.
- crctary Baker replied that many
c.tillery officers were being trained In
Franua. and that It took more time to
train artillcrymen than Of GERS.
The plan OF the department" he
added. "is to give as much training IN
this country and concentrating artillery
supplies In units most likely to go first
to France. I therefore 90 not think II
unwise to send men over who are not
completely trained"
Sticks TO Estimate.
Senator Hitchcock asked II the see
retary would object TO giving the basis
of his opinion for expecting 100000
would be In France In the fall,
IT could have the committee go into
the adjoining Ioom," he said. and give
It to you In three seconds.
Tho secretary conveyed TO the
country" said the senator, "informa
ton that I think was very unfortu-
nate. Did you think shipping an I'M
portant factor
Very important-controlling. nc
replied.
Senator Hitchcock said he did not
wish 10 be misunderstood but only de-
sired to find the basis OF Mr.. Baker
assurance to the country" that l'ooo'
200 men could be transported to France
during 1918.
You said you expected TO nave
600 900 men In France. Now no"
would you supply them he asked.
Mr. Baker read from his original
statement when he said million ana q
half troops would be ready In lSlS ana
that the prospect OF forwarding the'f
was not unpromising
why do you think it not unpromis
ing" Insisted the senator.
MIR. Baker replied that estimates or
available tonnage indicated the posi-
bility.
Based on UnfuIfiIied Promises.
When he had made the statomcn'
Secretary Baker said there was In his
mind tho estimate OF tonnage to bt
produced In 1918. There were othci
factors no added, such as vessels not
in essential trade. which might be re-
leased.
II nm asking you rs to the basis OF
your assurance to the country. per-
sisted Senator Hitchcock
"r am anxious to tell you what 's
in my mind" answered Secretary Bak-
or. asking again that he be permitted
to explain his statement without re-
vcaling military information.
Before General Bliss went to Europ"
bc amid tho question was discussed rs
70 the extent which the merchant fleet
corporation would increase the avail
able tonnage and tho extent the Amer
lean shipping then would need to be
supplemented by tonnage of tn" allies
Secretary Baker said he did not per-
sorally determine tho question.
Main Point Untouched.
The principal point OF the whole con"
troversy-the question of whero the
army is to get ships to transport J.
600 900 mon to France this year was
left untouched.
This was partly because Secretary
Baker did not have the detailed hEurcs
to show tho committee on what h'
based his assertion and partly because
the committee got into SGuahb'o as
to whether the secretary should MAKE
his statement In public or not. inc up
shot Of It was that the question VIII
be answered tomorrow in an executive
session OF tho committee.
Secretary Hitchcock, who attacked
the. statements of the secretary was IN
sistent that Mr.. Baker should show the
committee what grounds he had ioi
believing thcrc were ships availahi'
for the transportation of the troops
The shipping. board, Senator Hitch
cock said had advised him that on
Nov. / There were available 5S2 Amer
lean ships all OF more than 1,5oo tons
each. including tank ships ana inc
German and Austrian ships taken over
Mr.. Baker did not know how many
troops thnt number OF ships wou'c
transport but promised to inform ih'
committee later.
Reorganization Is Contemplated.
As the examination turned :" .h'
supplies for the army II became aP'
parent from tho nature or the Sc'rc
tary's replies to questions ihat ne "ho
the president had been discussing some
form of reorganization OF the war DC
partment which II was hoped Will sat
isry those who were pressing for
minister OF munitions.
'T have n feeling" Mr.. Baker said lr
reply to Senator wadsworth, that leg
islat,on that would free the presidents
hands and allow HIM TO coordinate
needs OF the department. would be the
best answer to the difficulties. All de-
partments are constantly growing.
am. as you know. continually creating
new agencies. and sometimes when "
doubt have to study the statutes care
fully to find how far my authority goes
yf tho president were authorized to re-
organize and transfer functions as NJ
sees ut we could go to him and soclir'
the necessary orders MS were deemed