Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-01-12
Says Reorganization is Vir-
tually Similar to British
Munitions System.
CROSS EXAMINATION
AGAIN IS SHARP
Says Country is Entitled to
Feel Secure in Answer
to Criticism.

ment Of muAitions director was dis
approved today by Secretary Baker in
testifying before the senate military
committee, who said the reorganiza-
ton OF the war department is virtual
ly similar to the British munitions
purchasing system.
Secretary Baker, came In for moro
sharp cross-examination today at this
hands of the committee conducting
the war inquiry, y.
MACHINE GUNS f+.@
TO BE DISTRIBUTED. ,s@
Z. At the outset the committee de-
manded to know what had been done
with about 1900 Lewis machine guns
and camps need them for practice.
Secretary Baker promised that they
Immediately would be distributed and
Senator Weeks observed that the dis
tribution had. been delayed month.
THAT is the essence OF the whole
thing" said Senator Weeks. There
10 delay. too much delay. Things
layed when every day counts"
'Mr. Secretary" Chairman Cham
berlain broke in, your general state-
ments Of conditions are all calculated
to leave the impression that all thes,
matters are really in good shape"
The senator cited reports of ciothing
shortages at Camp Sherman and
added: z, NJ. 80,
( .'Vhe effect on the country of your
statements is to lull it into a feeling
OF security that everything has been
done that should have been done. I
don't think it has 4,
II think the country is entitled to
feel aaAcNre;" Mr.. Baker said earnest
|Ely,, To- i the facts are known the
country VIII feel secure
Senator Hitchcock. another Demo-
, But; Mr.. Secretary, We have epeci-
fic testimony OF exact clothing short
ages, while your testimony seems to
contradict them completely. :
81 agree with the chairman cons
tinued Senator Hitchcock. That you
seem to have the impression that ev-
erything is lovely. that there are no
shortages and that these reports are
urjustihed."
SUPPLIES HAVE ~
BEEN NEEDED.
"ouite the contrary" Mr.. Baker
answered II want to give the pic
ture as it is. There was shortage
of overcoats and other clothing. Blu.
I think the figures OF shortages you
have were at the climax OF the short
have the knowledge that since those
discouraging days supplies have very
much increased. Conditions are not
perfect, of course"
THE fault I md" the chairman
replied, sis that if congress and tho
people get the, impression, whic:l
your general statements give. that
everything is all right, they will be-
lieve that no legislation to correct
the departments system Is necessary,
and from our testimony think it IS
necessary" sss '-7-r' ~ ,-'-s-'.--s ~ ,
"But / must insist" said Mr. Baker.
"that under facts as they are - the
country is entitled to reinsurance"
HEALTH CONDITIONS
TAKEN UP.
sanitary conditions and overcrowdins
of men,, with lack Of clQthing at
Camp Bowie were reported to the de-
partment in September and should
have been called to the secretary's
attention as epide1nics. predicted by
the camps commander, had follow
ed in December.
Secretary Baker replied that his
advisors said no trouble in canvass
housing Of men was probable.
"It turned out that the camps in
which. there was the most sickness
were the canvass camps said Mr..
Baker.
Senator Weeks said Major General
Greble. Camp Bowie's commander,
had reported conditions to four high
officers In the. department. .s
THAT is the trouble with the de-
partment,' Senator Hitchcock inter-
rupted. Nobody knows where IN
submit anything, being shunted from
H. ~ q
Recent reorganization OF the de-
pattment and Its bureaus, especially
the ordnance bureau. was detailed by
Secretary Baker. The old aystem. he.
said, imposed Impossible burdens
of co-ordination on the secretary.