Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-02-06
Question Of Taking
Men OUer to France
IS Chief Discussion

tions is difficult unless we know Just
what is meant" the secretary replied.
II think we have now an. agency that
correlates all the purchases Of the war
department" #. r..
This agency included shipping, he
added, saying he did not think it
would be: necessary ITO wrench OUT
result, .shohld such a measure be pass
ed. s1; l;g5s5 .3si.s' 81 @ y, Z. IL! n
!. That Daniel Willard and Bernard
sBaruch,i Of the war industries board,
had Testified strongly in favor of
centralized purchasing power, was
cited; by Senator Mcclellan.
Don't you think it is time we
should. listen to the men of experi-
ence 2" he asked.
Lacks Facilities.
/ II think the difficulty of the board
has not been lacking power" Secre7
tary Baker replied, but lack Of facil-
gradually preparing itself to- do.
$50 far as I know there is, no diff
ference between them and me-: .All Of
us have changed our minds constant
ly..' But he added: Nothing could be
more unfortunate than to start all
over again with a centralized purchas-
Ing agency outside of the depart
ments."
Senator Mcclellan and others. hur-
riedly broke in with statements that
such was not the purpose.
THE purpose, is to use all establish
ed agencies-not changing. them at
all. but merely putting them all under
one central authority" said Senator
McKellar isn't it true that Mr.. Stet-
ntions today in the war department. q
asked Senator Frelinghuyser. ,.a
"a little more than that" Secretary
ltBaker replied. Because the munitions
director under the English system
does not deal with tho variety of
things that Mr.. Stettinius does
A Production Agency.
| Secretary Baker added that the
war indststries board IL not q purchas-
Ing aa.,, asene e s,,t aathss r prodnetion y
T. iiassRfS Wky Saont yoa but Mr. st.ttinIus - THU;
at the head Of the council OF national
defense and the war industries board
and make him in effect, director aof
munitions 2" asked Senator FrSling
huysen: .:s. ~ E.5s |. .Is;ss4, q
yention of newt body" replied Mr..
II The. problem Of the war industries
board, Mr.. Baker added. was not. only
to determine priority between the gov
Eernment departments but also to dis
tribute orders so as to dislocate in-
dustry as. little as possible. .,@ . 8
Should you not have another de-
| partment to act as a clearing house,
headed by a business man and direct
| all purchases 2" persisted Senator Free
llnghuysen. :
"No," insisted Mr.. Baker. 81 think
| that would be a,mistake.'' a s
Senator Weeks asked II it were
shown that majority Of business
men called to aid the government
! were Of the opinion that Legislation
I for centralizing a munitions director
was necessary, would the secretary
change his attitude. "a /. ef'
But | agree with them" declared
!! the secretary. if ;.
But you are not doing that said
! Senator Weeks. yAl z
! II think we are.'' said the secretary.
y cant find a single business man
l OF any standing who does not agree
! that the proposition provided for in
the munitions director bill should be
1 adopted, !" continued Senator Weeks,
Did Not Endorse Bill.
s55s MY memory is that these gentle-
men did not endorse this bill,,' declar-
J ed Senator Beckham, democrat. OF
1 Kentucky, referring to the Testimony
II given before the committee by civil.
ian members Of various war boards.
They did express the idea tina,
there SHOULD be some centralixatiou
,tof apower5in in purchasing" he added
Some thought that the reorganiza-
ton plan Of the war department
would meet the situation ...+sF 9
4 They said they thought the war
tdepartment plan was an improve
fment, insisted Senator Weeks.
With that the. committee adjourned
until an executive session tomorrow
when III will examine Major General
lWheslers on supplies and explosives
/, After Sscretary Baker submits his
Statistics another public hearing may
4 be arranged. I'D Il .i ss5 ~ q. :
Senator yNadsworth cited DELAYS III,
paving troops and Secretary Bake4
said that that was a disappearing;
Il diminishing difficulty # i' s$ 4. ~ Z. q
4 4 Questioned as to- delay In payment
Ito the families nf soldiers MI. Baker
lsaid indefinite addresses &, OF depon.
dents. left by THE soldier, frequentiy
Y produced that resnlt. Difficulties o1
accounting for liberty bond payment
tnslxance and dependent allowances
Ial6n served u hold up pay Or whole
dlregtments si as long as q month s. I
.5tiMe N. S 4. Nj 4
ISENATOR WEEKS NJ N dS3 33