Arizona republican., 1918-01-13
MUNITI0N
 MINISTER. OPPOSED.
TRepublican A. p. Leased Wirel

Republican A. p. Leased WireJ
 WASHINGTON, Jan. 12.-Secretary | Baker in the course of another vigor- ous cross examination before the senate investigating committee today voiced strong opposition to the creation of q | department of munitions and was fur ther criticized by senators for his broad, general statements regarding the adequacy of army equipment. 1 which Chairman Chamberlain said would Hull the country into feeling of security" MT. Bakers opposition to muni- tions department followed that ex- pressed to house leaders yesterday by President Wilson. It was based, the secretary said, upon the fact that the recent reorganization of the war de- partment will meet all requirements and give better efficiency and that the position of minister of munitions would impose an impossible task"
 While the senators strongly criti- Cized the reorganization of the depart ment as detailed by the secretary, thus presaging a possible conflict later at the capitol over legislation, the com mittee has announced it will press, it was decided to investigate further the operation of the department under the reorganization plan before interrupting the inquiry to champion Senator Cham berlain's bill for a minister of muni- tions and other measures. In opposing Senator Chamberlain's bill, MT. Baker said the minister of munitions would be an industrial dictator" and that mo human being could be found to de- eide all the questions it would present..
 The secretary also pointed out that his judgment on military matters would be subservient to that of the munitions director and insisted that the trecent department reorganization is virtually similar to the navy department system and also the British munitions director ship.
 Chairman Chamberlain and Senator McKellar, Hitchcock, Wadsworth, Weeks and New were among those taking issue with the secretary regard Ing the adequacy of the reorganization of the war department but they ad- mitted 1t was an improvement over the old system. Senators Beckman and Kirby expressed satisfaction with the new plan.
 In detailing tho reorganization, Sec retary Baker said the war industries board, by authority of common con- sent if not technical legal power, would become supreme and binding authority in co-ordinating industrial needs of the war and he added that President Willard of the bf I'd, and General Goethals, acting quartermas- ter general approved the plan.
 Questioned by the senators, Mir. Baker admitted that under the new army supply department the ordnance. Quartermaster, medical, aviation and engineer bureaus would do separate purchasing, but he said it would be CO., ordinated and directed. This feature was sharply criticized by. committee members as failing to effect centrali- zation of munitions affairs.
 Secretary Bakers statements regard ing the sufficiency of supplies were criticized by Chairman Chamberlain and Senators Hitchcock, McKellar, Weeks and others. MT. Chamberlain safl the country would believe that everything had been done which should have been accomplished.
 T don't think it has," he added.
 q think the country is entitled to feel secure, MT. Baker replied, adding that when all the facts are known a feeling of security will be justified.
 Senator Hitchcick cited specific shortages of clothing and ordnance and said Mir. Bakers statements would 'leave the impression that everything is lovely when the facts showed that 1t is not.
 Delay in mail service to the eXpedi- tionary forces also was complained of during the day and MT. Baker said the war and postoffice departments are endeavoring to provide the best pos sible service.
 In executive session the secretary was qustioned for nearly two hours regarding supplies for the American army overseas and other confidential matters. During the session Chairman Chamberlain took occasion to ask why in his annual report, MT. Baker had disapproved the senator's bill for uni versal military training. The secretary replied that his principal objection was that sufficient officers could not be spared from service to take charge of the training, He also expressed the belief that decision on a definite mili- tary policy for the nations should be deferred until the end of the war wher the world will face very changed condi- tons.
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