The sun., 1918-01-26
ADMITS
.STETTINIUS WILL
MERELY BE AID
Reveals New Surveyor-Gen-
eral as Subordinate to
All Bureau Chiefs.
CHAMBERLAIN SEES RUsE
Committee Refuses Secretary's
Request for Informal Joint
Session to Hear Him.
Special DesssscA to TIE suS.

cpeCos Despo$cn 70 IHE Dun.
WASHINGTON. Jan. Is. Two moves
made to-day by the Administration were
regarded as foreshadowing the defense
It Is to make before the country against
The charsN made by Senator Chamber
lain In his sensational speech yesterday
IN the Senate. These moves, which had
the sanction Of the President and were
evidently designed to secure the hold of
the Administration on the confidence of
the country, were a. follows:
First. . request by Secretary Of War
Baker to Senator Chamberlain, head Of
the Military Affairs Committee Of the
Senate. that he have opportunity to make
an explicit statement on the conduct of
the war. with which was coupled the re-
markable suggestion by Mr. Baker that
the time and place be so fixed
''as to enable all members Of the Senate
and House Of Representatives who are
" disposed TO attend"
This was taken to mean that Mr..
Baker plainly desired the extraordinary
privilege Of appearing at what would be
the equivalent Of a Joint session Of Con-
BECSo III bIO Ilouccp lIOu8u tulb WOuiu OL
course have TO be Informal. there being
no legal precedent for It.
StettiAias's Powers LSm1ted.
Second. announcement by Secretary
Baker tina: Edward r.. Stettinius OF ]. p.
Morgan & Co. who for two years con-
firm. has been appointed surveyor gen.
eral Of all army purchases. a new post
In Mr.. Bakers reorganization scheme.
While the first announcement seemed to
indicate that the broadest powers were
to be given Mr.. Stettinius II later de-
veloped that he was to be subordinate
to Col. Pierce and Mr.. Bakers other
bureau chiefs
These announcements were made in
the midst Of high tension which came as
an aftermath to Senator Chamberlain 5
sensational dieciosYres Of yesterday.
All eyes were turned toward the White
House early In the day and reports were
current that the President himself would
issue statement News came shortly
after noon that the Cabinet mssain9 had
been called Off. which added to the
speculation. II developedE however. that
the President had been ordered by DR..
Grayson to remain in his study because
of cold. The President cancelled all
engagements, but expects to resume his
official duties tomorrow.
Bakers Unusual Letter.
This is the :etter thich Mr.. Baker
sent early this morning toa Senator
Chamberlain
My Dear Senator Chamberlain: The
questions which have arisen with re-
gard to the conduct of the war re-
auire an explicit statement from me
for the information OF your commit
tee and generally for the information
Of Congress and the country.
feel that in justice I oAe such a
statement to the splendid officers and
men OF the army who have forgotten
themselves and labored with self-sac-
riftce and. as I think. success in the
building oT great army.
1t Ia due also TO the great number
of men of business and OF affairs who
have accepted the invitation Of the
War Department to come to Washing
ton and brought their business expert
10 ence. their talents and their Judgment
to the work in hand. And / think the
people Of the country are entitled to
have at large a summary OF what has
been done by America in the war
l therefore respectfully request that
your committee arrange an opportu-
nifty for me to make such a statement
and that the time and place be fixed 40
as to enable all members Of the Senate
and the House of Representatives who
are 30 disposed to attend.
II this request can be complied with
I shall be happy to be advised at your
earliest convenience Of the tlmA and
place.
Bhker's Request Denied.
While it was known last night follow.
ing the attack of Senator Chamberlain
that Mr., Baker had been selected by the
President to lead a counter offensive at
once, no one was prepared for the un-