The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-03-17
BAKER SEES BIG
TASK FACED BY
U. s. IN FRANCE
Secretary Amazed at I'M
mensity Of Work in
Building New Ports.
THREE MILES OF DOCKS
Sixty Transports Can Be I'm
loaded at One Time Along
Converted Marsh Land.


On BOARD SECRETARY BAKERS SpE-
cIAL TRAIN IN FRANCE, March IS tde-
iayed) SECRETARY Bakers first work
after his conferences with the French
statesmen and American Generals at
the capital has been to begin his study
OF what the Americans are doing and
ought to do In France by a survey Of a
great port department.
Il am still absorbing" said he at the
end OF fourteen hour day. Il must say
frankly that did not know the i'm
mensity OF the enterprise which We have
undertaken in opening new, ports. and
when I see what we have accomplished
here I am satisfied" \.
The American War Secretary at tho
particular port in question was attended
by Gen. Pershins. Major-Gen. William
NJ. Black. Brig. Gen. W. w. Atterbury
and the officers Of the engineers who
have been creating vast new equip
ment for docking and unloading ships.
The Secretary walked for three miles
along the American army's dock front,
already constructed or in process Of
berths for a nun ber OF ships placed at
the disposition OF the Americans by the
French Government Two miles Of this
new sea frontage consisted of marshes
on October / last The ground has been
filled in from dredgings in deepening the
waterfronts and ships are already along
side some Of these new berths. On other
parts OF the frontage concreted ware
houses are going up and great system
of switches has been laid or Is in the
course Of being laid.
Fast Progress Of Dock Building.
~ like to come out here once week" !"
said q Colonel Of the engineers to the
correspondent, "and see how different
things look from what they did the week
before. I almost lose my way"
This new dockage. with two other
new frontages that are being developed
in connection with It, will allow Of
ships to be unloaded simultaneously.
Mr.. Bakers questions were frequent.
'penstrating and often technical whom
the engineers were explaining the rail-
way plexus connecting the various ports
with the bases In the interior. He
asked particularly about grades. so as to
estimate the requirements In engine
power and the heaviness of loads. He
rather astonlshed the engineers by the
detailed character OF his questioning.
which touched the very problems that
bother them most.
At a heavy artillery training camp
Secretary Baker saw a battery OF long
range large calibre guns put into posi-
ton. They were swung over by auto
mobile tractors. and shallow recoil
I trenches were dug quickly but with
unerring methods. Mr.. Baker took a
stand close to one OF the great pieces
and followed the explanations Of the
Major in command. IT was one of the
new guns from a French workshop and
OF type with which the American
I artillerists are already making a reputa-
/ ton on the sectors at the front.
| Inspects Big Field Piece.
! The Secretary had been told by French
officers Of the skill of the American
gunners in handling this weapon, In the
management OF which the French ar.
1 tillerists heretofore had considered them
selves unexcelled. MIR. Baker became so
( interested that he mounted the chief
xunners stand and looked through the
t master sight and watched the adjust.
ment Of the piece to the range markings
The Secretary's train arrived at al
| important town near the port at 8 O'Clock
! In the morning. The prefect OF the de
partment. the French General command
| ing the district and numerous American
officers were there to welcome him. H!'
reception was simple. The band a.
Secretary Baker and Gen. Pershing Is
sued from the station, sounded the sa
lutte to the colors. and a battalion oi
American soldiers stood at salute. Tha
was the only ceremony of the day. ex
cept a small review OF the troops at tht
artillery camp.
Official lunches and dinners are, b,
the Secretary's request. omitted from
his programme. He and Gen. Pershin<
remain aboard the train at night ant
spend most OF their travelling days or
business.