The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-01-11
WAR SECRETARY'S
WORD IS DISPUTED
BY ARMY PR0BERS
tccntlrusd From Page ~

and whose ammunition is not inter
changeable with the French,
Secretary Baker said he thought, but
was not sure, that the department was
making the French type and promised
to give further Information
Senator WadSworth asked whether
in view OF the shortage Of artillery and
machine guns the Secre'ary'' state
ment that there were sufficient sup
plies substantially for rush needs, ,"
was correct
"Yes, perfectly, as | understand it,"
said Mr.. Baker. "Our rush needs are
satisfied
Enough for Fighters
Senator Chamberlain asked Baker
how he could say that when canton
men,s were short OF rifles and machine
guns and artillery
y mean that we have sufficient for
the men actually engaged in fighting
"You mean then that there is enough
for the men in France said Mr.. Nc
Kellar.
100 hdlu lnV hNNlNlhl y
Situation Isn't Rosy.
"rhe statement leaves the impression
thai the situation is a rosy one and
tina we have all the artillery we need"
said Senator Wadsworth. Il disagree.
1t h not an accurate description OF the
situation"
NJ Baker insisted that his state
ment regarding adequacy Of ordance
'ior rush needs" is substantially cor
rect. He insisted that ordnance was
needed for training men in camps Time
needed to train men in France, he
said, will give time to increase ord
nance supplies,
Camp Bowie Cited
Senator Weeks cited the general
ordnance shortage at Camp Bowie.
Texas, testified to by Major General
Greble, commandant
"You have given the impression that
every camp has enough rifles" Sena-
tor Weeks observed How can YOU con-
form that TO the statement that there
are no requirements OF artillery
II didn't make that statement" said
Mr., Baker.
"You gave that impression"
y said initial rush needs, arc filled"
exclaimed Mr. Baker
But you ought to define your state
ment il gives the country the imprcS.
sion that every need in the camps is
supplied" said Mr. Weeks.
Rifle Shortages Adjusted.
Mr.. Baker said rifle shortages since
General Greble reported, had been sub.
stantially corrected
ut would have been very fortunate
II we could have gotten machine gun,
sooner" he added.
rs there any reason why 2Ol
should be held in storage" a,ke.
Senator Hitchcock. referring to teNi
mony by General Cro1ier TO that ct
feet.
81 didn't know that" said Mr. Baker
Machine Guns Discussed
Reyertine to delays IN machine gw
deliveries, Senator Hitchcock derlorcu
tardy contracts for Levi, guns and Mr.
Baker rejoined that large production
Of Browning guns would begin in Feb
rurary
This aroused Senator Hitchcock.
THAT isn't So" he retorted sharnly
slapping his hands together at the sec
retary I'VE won't have a large Quan
tity before 1919 in actual use. W
haven't one now
1--WE Hav. Nine"
we have nine Mr., Baker suggest
ed smiling. Seriously he added Ma
production was being spceded up an
that his latest Information was tha
quantity production OF the Brownln
guns would hrrin in February
Senators Hitchcock and Weeks hot
called the secretafyS attention 10 te'ti
mony OF General Crorier and member
given contracts for the Browning gur
that production in quantity would no
begin before April =
Such testimony, Secretary Baker con
eeded, would be most reliable
His Statement Misleading.
Secretary Bakers formal statement O.
yesterday regarding army preparedness
Senator Weeks decl- ID. would "unun
,entionally rnislead the country"
The country, said the seuatUi