Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-08

pendents of soldiers frequently produce
that result. Difficulties of accounting
for Liberty Bond payments, insurance
and dependent allowances also served
! to mold up pay of whole regiments AZ
, long as a month at time.
STETTlNiUS' JOB TO GROW.
Senator Wadsworth asked Mr.. Baker
{ to explain the functions of Edward f
Stettinius, recently appointed surveyor
general of war department supply. Mr.
Baker said he had told Mr.. Stettinius
that "his functions we're to grow" and
that the theory is to bring the needs Of
the five purchasing bureaus before Mr.
Stettinius so he may review them and
straighten out conflicting needs.
81 won't hesitate to come to congress
for legislation as soon as it is apparent
that it is necessary Secretary Baker
/ said.
OPPOSE RADICAL CHANGE.
"Have you changed your views re.
garding the ministry of munitions
bill?" asked Senator Weeks.
"Discussion of minister of NUM-.
tons is difficult unless we know just
what is meant" the secretary replied.
az think we have now an agency that
correlates all the purchases of the war
department"
This agency includes shipping, he
added, saying he did not think it would
be necessary to wrench out" the sys-
TENS now used, which would be the re-
suit, he said, of such a measure as il
proposed.
That Daniel Willard and Bernard
Barusch, of the war industries board
had testified strongly in favor of CEN
tralized purchasing power was cited by
Mr.. Mcclellan
CLAIMS IMPROVEMENT.
Don't you think it is time we should
listen to these men Of experience?" he
asked.
II think the difficulty of the board
has not been lacking power" Secre-
tary Baker replied, "but lack Of facili-
ties to do all of the things it has been
gradually preparing itself to do. So
far as l know there is no difference
between these men and me. All Of us
have changed our minds constantly"
Senator Mcclellan and others hur.
riedly broke in with statements that
such was not the purpose.
GENERALIZATION IS AIM.
"The purpose is to use all estab-
lished agencies-not changing them at
all but merely putting them all under
one central authority" said Senator
Mcclellan.
isn't it true that Mr.. Stettinius
practically is director of munitions
today in the war department." asked
Senator Frelinghuysen.
"a little more than that" Secretary
Baker replied, because the munition
director under the English system does
not deal with the variety Of things
that Mr.. Stettinius does" Secretary
Baker added that the war industries
board is not purchasing agency but
rather a production agency.
STATUS OF SURVEYOR.
"Why don't you put Mr.. Stettinius at
the head of the council of national de-
tense and the war industry board and
make him in effect director of NUM-
tions?" asked Senator Frelinghuysen.
There is no occasion for the inter-
vention Of a new body" replied Mr..
Baker. .
The problem of the war industries
board, Mr.. Baker added, is not only to
determine priority between the govern.
ment departments but also to distrib-
ute orders SO as to dislocate industry
as little as possible.
"MiSTAKE," BAKER SAYS.
SHOULD you not have another de-
partment to act as clearing house
headed by business man, to direct all
purchases" persisted Senator Ere
NO., insisted Mr.. Baker. 81 think
that would be a mistake
Senator Weeks asked if it were
shown that majority of business men
called to aid the government were of
the opinion that legislation for cen
tralizing a munitions director was
necessary, would the secretary change
his attitude.
But / agree with Them" declared
the secretary.
But you are not doing that" said
Senator Weeks.
II think we are" said the secretary.
SENATORS DISAGREE.
81 can't find single business man
If any standing who does not agree
hat the proposition provided for in the
munitions director bill should be
adopted" continued Senator Weeks.
my memory is that these gentle.
men did not endorse this BILL" de.
dared Senator Beckham, democrat, of
referring to testimony given
he committee by civilian members of
he various war boards.
"They did express the idea that |
here should be Capitalization of power
n purchasing" he added. Some |
bought that the reorganization plan |
If the war department would meet the |
situation"
FURTHER HEARING PROBABLE.
They said they thought the war de.
,artment plan was an improvement"
insisted Senator Weeks.
With that the committee adjourned
Until an executive session tomorrow
morning, when it will examine Major
General Wheeler on supplies of ex.
,losives.
After Secretary Baker submits his
tatistics, another public hearing may
re arranged.
AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.