The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-11
GRILL SEC. BAKER
Senators Accuse War Head OF
Too Rosy Report.
Admits That All Soldiers and
Camps Not Equipped.

washington, Jan 11.-Secretary
Bakers examination today before the
senate military committee was
warmed up by rapid cross-flre OF
questions by senators of both parties
who did not agree with the generally
favorable war preparations depicted
by Mr.. Bakers statement of yesterday
The senators declared his declara-
ton that war supplies were adequate
would mislead the country. Senator
Weeks declared the country should
not be lulled to sleep by a general
statement of facts that don't exist
Mr.. Baker explained that he meant
to convey only the impression that all
the men ready for the fighting line
were adequately equipped.
Pacifist and Socialist on Board
Senators Wadsworth and Weeks,
Republicans, and Senators Chamber
lain and Hitchcock, Democrats. took
the lead in cross examining the Sec
rotary and at times handled him with
out gloves.
Senator Wadsworth asked about the
board of labor standards which testi-
mony has said has pacifists and So
cialiSts among its members and is re-
quiring new specifications in army
cloth contracts which will reduce pro-
duction.
Il know their character and expert
qualifications WELL" said Secretary
Baker in defense of-the board.
Senator Weeks thought the board
had too large and very drastic powers,
but Mr.. Baker contended the boards
functions are purely advisory. Chair
man Kerstein, he said, was a Boston
business man, and Captain Krensi an
army officer. and the third member,
Florence Kelly, a social welfare work
er. Senator Weeks challenged the
statement that the board was only
advisory and complained of the null
tlDllcltV of new and SDeCial boards
and committees.
Persons with business are passed
along from corridor to corridor and
building to building trying to find the
right federal agency with which to do
business" said the senator.
Turning to artillery, Senator Wads-
worth assailed the ordnance bureau
for not continuing manufacture of
French 240 milimetre guns instead
of proceeding with manufacture of
American 9.5 guns, none of which
have been delivered and whose am
munition is not interchangeable with
the French.
Baker said he thought, but was not
sure. that the department was making
the French type and promised to give
further information.
Senator Wadsworth asked whether
in view of the shortage of artillery
and machine guns the secretary's
statement that there were sufficient
Z
was correct.
Yes, perfectly, as 1 understand it,"
said Mr. Baker. "Our needs are sat
isfied"
Short Rifles and Machine Guns.
Senator Chamberlain asked Baker
how he could say that when the can
comments were short of rifles and ma
chine guns and artillery.
Il mean that we have sufficient for
the men actually engaged in fighting"
You mean then that there is
enough for the men in France?" said
Mr.. Mcclellan.
Yes" said the secretary.
Your statement that We have sub
stantially enough gives a wrong I'M
preston to the country when we have
only enough for men actually in the
fighting and not for those in train
ing, Senator Wadsworth interjected.
Il agree with Senator Wadsworth,"
said Chairman Chamberlain, that
your statement gives a wrong impress
sion to the country. 1t was not your
purpose, but it is it's effect