Evening star., 1918-02-06
Wanted Hearing in Large Room.

The Secretary himself asked in a
letter to the chairman" Senator New of
Indiana, republican, interrupted. that
the meeting be held in a large room
where all senators and representatives
who desired could attend. Many sena-
tors objected and held it was unbe-
coming and this larger room was in
Difference to the Secretary"
Senator Reed said he was somewhat
inclin ed to the view that it would be
better to put "all our cards on the
table,
TT might be we'll" he said. ito say
We have got so many men and SO
many guns and so many ships and we
are going to be at your throat at a
certain time: but that is not the way
we are proceeding.
Senator Frelinghuysen interrupted
and Senator Reed yielded.
Il want to ask a question. which.
hope, will pass the censor" said Sena-
tor Frelinghuysen. with his eyes fixed
on Senator Reed.
A tilt followed. in which Senator
Reed declared he had not been trying
to censor the meeting"
Senator Frelinghuysen turned to Sec
retary Baker with the statement that
the committee was not interested in
the punishment of medical officers
found negligent, but in the protection
of the men in the camps. He said
Surgeon General Gorgas had stated to
the committee that he lacked authority
to draw the public health service into
the camp sanitation work.
HAS that subject been given any
consideration" he asked.
Secretary Baker said the recon-
mendations of the American Public
Health Association had been adopted
with the approval of the surgeons gen.
eral of the Army and Navy.
Health of Men o. K.
Then you think you have the health
0,s IL
Frelinghuysen.
Yes"
DO you expect to keep soldiers in
the southern camps during the sum-
mer?"
II can't answer" the Secretary re-
piled. 1t depended much upon the ma
ture of the summer weather, he said.
| II it was comparatively as severe as
| the winter. he said, it would be neces-
1 sary to move some of the troops.
| Statements attributed to Lord North
| cliffe saying preparations were being
| made In America for raising an Army
but little was being, made to provide
| for the transportation across the ocean
| were read by Senator Hitchcock.
/ Secretary Baker said he had not heard
1 Of the statement, and could not remem-
ber II the subject had been discussed
in conference with Lord Northcliffe
| Senator Asks Questions.
| Declaring that Everybody knows
| about half OF the men, both officers and
| enlisted men, in the camps have never
| been trained with artillery or machine
/ gums" Senator McKellar asked the
| men to France unframed
| Secretary Baker replied that many
artillery officers were being trained in
France at school turned over by
the French and that it took more time
to train artillerymen than officers
The plan of the department." the
Secretary added, "is to give as much
training in this country as possible
by concentrating artillery supplies in
units likeiiest to go first to France
but in no case for them to be used in
combat until their training is COM
Ipleted on the other side. 1 therefore
do not think 1t unwise to send me,
over who are not completely trained
rs it unwise to send men not trained
at all, men who have never seen artillery
or machine guns" asked Senator Nc
tKellar. stating a major had told him that
at his camp only the commanding genera
had ever seen a six-inch gun.
| Would Send Recruits.
Yes, I think it would be right; thai
is. do not think it would be right to sen6
luntratned men into combat. but l woult
not hesitate, il the necessity should arise
to send raw recruits to France to b.
trained there, and adequately trained, i
Gen. Pershing thought 1t the wisest thin,
10 Go. 1ney can De trained in France q.
we'll as here
Senator McKellar asserted and Sec
rotary Baker admitted that trainin,
abroad would cost more. Senator Reet
suggested that a shortage of shippin,
might make it wise to send men acros
to be trained without holding them i,
this country for their training
Gen. Pershing." Secretary Baker ex
planned. Knows exactly what Is neede e,
: to make a finished soldier for this kin,
Of warfare. He sends US his priorit,
schedules whether for shipment of ar
, stillery. infantry. Signal Corps or othe
arms Of the service. 1t depends on tn
!. length of time he wants them to hay
additional training"
Never Gave Order.
Senator McKellar said Surgeon Gen
! eral Gorgas had testified that Secretar,
Baker had directed that cantonment
be completed before hospitals were fin
ished.
why did you do thatr demands
the senator.
II never gave any order on that sub
ject. nor do I recall any divergence Q
!. opinion between the surgeon genera
and myself" replied tho Secretary.