Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-01-29
BAKER REQUESTS
OPPORTUNITY TO
ANSWER CRITICS
{, j. StettiniuS, of New York,
Put in Charge of All Army
Purchases, With Powers of
Proposed Munitions Minister

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-Secretary
Baker today asked Senator Chamberlain
to arrange an occasion, at which all
members of congress disposed to attend
may do so and hear statement in re-
ply to the senator's charges of inefti-
cheney in the army.
Secretary Baker sent the following
letter to the senator:
Ny Dear Senator Chamberlain:
The questions which have
arisen with regard to the conduct
of the war REQUIRE an explicit
statement from me for the informa-
ton of your committee and gen.
orally for the information of con-
gress and the country.
IL feel that in justice 1 owe such
a statement to the splendid officers
and men of the army who have for
gotten themselves and labored with
self-sacrihce and, as l think, sue
cess in the building of great
army.
1T Is due also TO the great num-
Der of men of business and of af-
fairs who have accepted the in
vitation of the war department
to come to Washington. and
brought their business expert
Judgment to the work in hand. And,
1 think the people of the country
are entitled to have at large a sum-
mary of what has been done by
America in the war.
81, therefore, respectfully request
that your committee arrange an
opportunity for me to make such a
statement, and that the time and
place be fixed as to enable all mem
bers of the senate and the house Of
representatives who are so dispos-
ed to attend.
''If this request can be complied
with l shall be happy to be advised
at your earliest convenience of the
time and place"
Munitions Chief Named
Edward r. Stettinius, of New York
was appointed today as surveyor gen
eral of all army purchases.
Secretary Baker in making the an
nouncement said:
Mr.. Edward r. Stettinius, of New
York, has been appointed surveyor gen
eral of all army purchases. He will
De in charge Of the procurement and
production of all supplies by the five
army bureaus, viz: Ordnance, quarter
master, signal, engineer and medical
1t will be his duty to coordinate such
purchases and porperly relate the same
industry to the end that the army pro-
gram be developed under a comprehen'
sive plan which will best utilize the re-
sources Of thA country. His intimate
knowledge of war conditions in Europe
and in the United States as related tC
industry, and the practical means he
has used to accomplish his plans pre-
eminently qualify him fir hos position
MIR. Stettinius will assume his du'
ties at once and establish his office
in Washington"
The appointment Of Mr.. Stettinius II
the new post, which is in effect thai
of a munitions supervisor and director
for all war department purchases, was
reviewed as the answer of the admin
istration to the munitions ministry bill
pending in the senate. 1t effects com
plete consolidation of all war department
supply questions under the Surveyor
general and, on the face of the state
ment issued by Mr.. Baker, Mr.. Stet
tinius is to be backed by complete au
thority in his responsible position.
The capitol still ringing with Senator
Chamberlain's reiteration of charges o
inefficiency in the war department ant
Ms declaration that President Wilson die
not know the truth when he accused thu
senator of distortion of facts.
Administration replies to Senator
Chamberlain's assertion. made in
three-hour speech yesterday in answer
to the presidents recent statement de
tending the war department, probably
will be delivered in both the senate and
house next week. Ii is known that Sen
ator James will be ready when the sen
ate reconvenes Monday and Representa-
tive Dent, chairman of the house mill
tary committee, and Representative
Glass will take up the administrations
case in the house.