The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-25
Demands Explicit
Statement of His Work.
Asks Chamberlain for Session
So Congress Can Hear.
CONGRESS- ALSO TAKES IT UP
Rep. Glass. Whose Tongue Is
Sharp, Billed for House.
Senator James Scheduled To
"Counter Attack" in Senate.

Washington, Jan. 25.-Secretary of
War Baker today asked Senator Cham
berlain formally for an opportunity to
make a statement before the senate
military committee on giving the COM
plete summary of what has been
done by America in the war"
He proposes, in a big way, to an
swer Cham berlain's charges against
the war administration. In his letter
to Cham berlain, the secretary held
that justice demanded that state
ment be made jim view of the sacri-
fices and the spirit of officers and men
of the army and business men who
had given their aid to the government
in this time of stress.
Moreover. he suggested that the
people of the country are entitled to
a full answer.
Request Backed by President.
Bakers request was made with a
direct sanction of President Wilson.
If Cha mberlain grants the request, as
he undoubtedly will, Baker will delve
into topics heretofore untouched by
the senate committee testimony to
prove his contention that a vas. work
has been done on a broad gauge scale,
with the least possible delay or fric-.
ton under the circumstance.
The secretary's letter said:
My Dear Senator Chamberlain:
Phe questions which have arisen with
regard to the conduct of the require
an explicit statement from me for the in
formation of your committee and generally
for the information of congress and the
country.
l feel that in justice 1 owe such a state
ment to the splendid officers and of
the army who have forgotten themselves
and labored with self sacrifice and, as Il
think, success. in the building of the grea t
army. 1t is due also to the great number.
of men of business and of affairs who have
accepted the invitation of the war depart
ment to come to Washington and brought
their business experience. their talent and
their Judgment to the work in hand. And
think the people of the country are en-
titled to have, at large, a summary of
what has been done by America in the
/ therefore. respectfully request that
your committee arrange an opportunity for
me to make such statement and that the
members of the senate house of repre-
sentative who are so disposed. to attend.
shall be happy to be advised at your ear
liest convenience of the time and place.
Cordially yours.
NEWTON y. BAKER.
Secretary of War.
Chamberlain Sprung Sensation.
Washington, Jan. 25.-Secretary
Baker today will make statement
answering the charges of inefficiency
in the war department made by Chair
man Chamberlain of the senate mill
tary committee in speech before the
senate yesterday.
Washington, Jan. 25.-With the
capital still ringing with Senator
Chamberlain's reitetation of charges
of inefficiency in the war department
and his declaration that President Will
son did not know the truth when he
accused the senator of distortion of
the facts, few developments in the
controversy over the administrations
conduct of the war were expected un-
til tomorrow. Then Secretary Baker
Continued on Page Two.b