Republican farmer., 1918-02-15

Iormatlon regarding shipping facill-
| ties for moving troops and supplies
| to France, the Senate military COM
mittee practically finished yesterday
the inquiry it began two months ago
| into the war department and its con-
| duct of the war. Chairman Chamber
| lain announced that the statement
| probably would make it unnecessary
| for the committee to hear Mr.. Baker
| again.
| From members of the committee
it was learned that while Mr.. Baker
stood by his previous opinion that
only two tons gross or 1.6 tons net
are required annually to maintain each
man in France he did not contend
that 100000 American soldiers
could be maintained there with the
present shipping facilities. He ex-
pressed the hope, however, of obtain
ing more vessels from Americas al
lies.
Gives Tonnage Details.
The information which Secretary
Baker laid before the Senate mill
tary committee was compiled largely
by the General Staff. 1t gave full
tonnage available for troops and sup
plies. The statement, it is reported
showed that there is less than 1,40O,-
900 tons of American shipping now
available which is under the figure
conceded by Senator Hitchcock in
his recent criticism of the Secretary
of War.
Members of the committee also
pointed out that Mr.. Bakers estimate
that transports can make the trip tt
France and back in SO days has been
! exceeded. 1t was said further tina
the statement showed that in some
instances ships of 5000 to 10000 ton
mage carried only 5000 to 5000 tons
of freight.
While Mr.. Baker probably will no
be questioned by the committee agar
and nothing further will be made
public regarding his statement, Sen
ator Weeks is planning to make Z
speech challenging some of the fig
ures and conclusions set forth by thu
Secretary of War. A speech in de
tense of Mr.. Baker and in reply tt
Senator Hitchcock will be made OF
Thursday by Senator James of Ken
lucky.
A public statement authorized to
day by Secretary Baker in explana
ton of the reorganization of the Gen
eral Staff is devoted largely to dis
cussion of the new system of pur
chases evolved for the army.
He makes it clear that the reor
gained General Staff is primarily
military organization, although pro
vision is made for civilian officials an
employees. Each of the five division
will be headed by an army office
with powers to act for the Secretar,
of War and to eliminate all possibl
red tape.
Stettinius Remains Civilian.
Mr.. Baker said he was confden
there would be no friction betwee
Edward R. Stettinius> and Brig. Ger
Palmer E. Pierce, Director of Pur
chases and Supplies. Mr.. Baker ais
said in answer to a question, tina
for the present at least Mr.. Stettiniu
would continue as a civilian.
The statement follows:
THE function Of Mr.. Stettinius Wi
be largely that of surveyor of tn
industrial field and an accelerator o
war supplies. He is to be largely in
strumental in maintaining an eve.
. flow of production to the purchasin:
agencies of the War Department. I
is within his province to keep tract
of the capacity and production of con
tractors. If there are changes il
the requirements of the American ex
peditionary forces, orders for thes
changes must be passed on down tht
line by Mr.. Stettinius, so that thu
production may be in accord with thu
demand. Mr.. Stettinius will alst
watch closely the transportation ant
shipping situation in order that thu
production and deliveries of war ma
terials may properly proceed.
Surveying Eye of Staff.
SIN other words. Mr.. Stettinius. {
! business man and purchasing agen
of vast experience. may figurativel!
be called the surveying eye for tn
director of purchases and supplies
who is military officer and assistan
to the chief of staff. Mr.. Stettiniu
will endeavor to mobilize industry fo
. the war needs OF the department ant
when a certain article is required h
, will know where that article may b.
readily obtained and the price a
which it may be obtained
"In conjunction with the division
of which Brig Gen. Pierce is thu
head. the purchasing agencies of thu
War Department will continue thei
operations. It is not intended tina
the director of purchases and sup
plies shall take over the routine pur
chasing activities of the several bu
: reaus. He will determine prioritie
of manufacture and purchase ant
make estimates of requirements. Il
this work he will have at his dis
posaI the knowledge and business ex
perience of Mr.. Stettinius.
eff the Ordnance Department, TO
instance should require 100000 shell
the procedure would be consultatio,
: with the surveyor of purchases ant
supplies to ascertain with whom tn
order should be placed and when de
liveries might be expected. The Ord
nance Department then would pro
| coed to purchase the shells, as it ha
heretofore, and would draft and exc
cute a contract for the material. Be
fore final ratification, this contrac
passes through the hands of Brig
Gen. Pierce, director of purchases an
supplies. The actual details of tn
purchase, however, would be handle
by the Ordnance Department, and il
! the majority of instances the signe,
contract would be placed before tn
director of supplies and purchases TO
| final wise.
To Pass ON Contracts
/ I'm the case of very large order
it is likely that the director of pur
l, chases and supplies will pass upol