Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-01-11

organization. accomplishing the follow
ing results:
"1-Created a war council upon which
General Crozier. General Sharpe. Cen
eral Weaver. General Crowder, and the
chief of staff have been designated to
sit with the secretary of war and the
assistant secretary of war, and to which
council men OF capacity. either from
the. army from civil life. will be ad-
ded from time to time. The purpose of
the council is that it's members can
take a large supervisory vitw of all
questions or organization and supply.
and give the government the highest
value of their talents and experience.
Under General Wheeler the ma
chinery OF the ordnance department is
being thoroughly reorganized. Its sew
eral operations will be conducted under
the direction either of Officers already
in The service or by men specially chosen
from civil life
"3-The quartermaster generals de-
Dartment is in process sof similar reor-
ganization under General Cocktails Here
also the efficiency of the department
is being strengthened by the calling
from civil life of men TO administer
certain of it's subdivisions
"a new view of the work of the coun-
ell of national defense and of the war
industries board is now possible.
The council of national defense is.
of course. an advisory body without ex-
ecutive power. The members have sew
orally the powers of their respective de-
partments. The purpose of the council
however, was a reconciliation of the con-
and resources. This purpose IL has serv-
flicts and survey of the national needs
ed and is serving. The general NUM-
lions board and it's successor, the war
industries board. with their committees
were organized by the council for the
following purposes:
Assign priorities as among the sew
eral departments of the government
and the allied governments in their de-
msnds upon the industries OF the coun-
try.
advise as to supplies of materials
and labor.
"3-Advise on questions of price.
."4-Secure industrial and labor CO.
operation.
Avoid enhancement of prices. con-
fusion of industry, exhaustion of labor,
and generally to prevent all avoidable
evils which might result from the speed
and magnitude of the new operation.
ITO these objects it was admirably
adapted. and il has accomplished a great
work.
I'VE can now see the entire situation.
The initial rush needs are substantially
supplied. The technical corps have been
expanded and reorganized upon Indus
trial and efficient lines
THE coordination of ally needs with
our own purchases has been effected. An
agency exists to prevent conflicts and to
adjust those which cannot be pre-
vented"
Secretary Baker was not interrupted
in reading his prepared statement and
afterward said he would be very hap
py' to answer questions.
Chairman Chamberlain TOOK up the
subject of rifles. Abandonment of the
Springfield rifle and adoption of the
modified Enfield. he said, has been much
criticised.
Il think the delay was due to the
action Of the ordnance bureau in chang
ing the type" said Secretary Baker. az
personally approved that delay. I think
the ordnance bureau acted right" add
ing that the delay operated to furnish
Ia larger supply later of an improved
arm.
1T isn't ireficiency TO change your
mind if a greater supply OF better
article is secured" said ne. adding that
all men sent to Europe had ample rifles
and now all men in training are well
supplied.
Secretary Baker continued by reciting
The machine gun controversy that eX-
listed when he became secretary. Sena-
tor Mcclellan thought the delay was I'M
reasonable.
well, its a matter of Judgment"
said Mr.. Baker.
Senators Join Inquiry
Several senators Joined in question
ing 10 show that rifle production was
permitted to lag when il was certain
that the country was about to go to
war. Secretary Baker persisted that the