Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-01-28
Circulation Every 1OE10
Evening Saturday AOOAO
As to the Secretary of War.

Announcement was made in the papers
of Saturday morning that Secretary OF
War Baker had named Edward r. Stet-
tlnIus of the arm of j. =. Morgan d Go.
of New York City, as survcyor-general
of purchases for the War Department.
Mr.. Stettinitls, since war operations IN
Europe became energetic, has been an
agent of the Allied Powers in the pur-
chase of supplies.
This selection by Secretary of War
Baker is most fortunate. He has invited
70 his assistance, and his counsels,
business man of large practical ex-
perience. whose services cannot help
proving of great value With such men
as his subordinates in all the subsidiary
branches of the War Department, Sec
retarv Baker would be assured Of 4 most
successful and effective administration
1t must be admitted, however, that
the general public has for a long time
ever since his appointment IN fact
been skeptical as to the appropriateness
OF his selection as the directing head OF
the War Department. From the first
there were apprehensions that he was not
"a biz enough man for the job, and
events have occurred that went far to
Justify the accuracy Of this estimate.
Still. Secretary Baker has ''muddled
along as they say in England. and has
some very commendsble results TO dis
play as the outcome of his administration.
But one thing that stands out IN bold
relief. In this crisis OF our country s
history, is this: That in times OF war the
War Department should be in charge of
capable and resolute man, one who can
deal with every emergency with stern
hand, and with clear sight that aims st
direct and decisive results. Such men
are rare They have not slwavs been at
the command OF national administration
In times past, and the country has SUI
fered thereby.
In times OF peace Secretary Of War
may be commonplace in the ranks OF
public men. But IN times OF war be must
be a man Of discerning purpose~ahd reso-
lutte seton How the country has suffered
In its war administration in years past is
a matter of history. The failure Of the
War Department under Secretary Of
War William II. Armstrong, during the
War Of 1872, is a most lamentable page
of our history. II led TO the invasion of
our National Capital by Great Britain 5
forces, and the destruction Of the Capitol.
The disgrace of that administration was
relieved only by the brilliant victory of
General Andrew Jackson at New Orleans,
and the signal triumphs Of our warships
IN conflicts with Britain's navy on the
high seas.
And SO it is that the country viii feel
some measure of assurance In Secretary
Bakers selection Of Mr. Stettinius as
surveyor-general of purchases, but II
would feel much larger measure OF as
s,lrance at the announcement Of the elec-
tion of man Of much larger calitre than
Secretary Baker for the Office OF Secretary
Of War. de has not proved & real war
secretary, no matter what else he may
have done. Certainly he has not measured
up TO the proportions Of Stanton, the
great leader OF the War Department
under Lincoln, during the Civil War. AT
the most it may be said that he overtops
Alger, the Secretary Of War during our
little trouble with Spain.
But, after all, no matter what may
be said in respert of the shortcomings of
Secretary of War Baker, his administra-
tion has not furnished any incidents Of
failure or even of misdirection that justly
call for such scandalous and traitorous
denunciation Of the War Department as
Senator Chamberlain of Oregon was guilty
Of in his New York City speech. Senator
Chamberlain made the astounding charge
that the military establishment OF the
country had fallen down This is not
true. On the contrary, it has done some
good work. The man who publicly
decries the real situation is no friend to
the country