El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-07-04
RESENT MANNER
Of Department
Congressman Complain to
Baker of Attitude of
Officers.

Washington. D. c. July 4-ConfIict!
between the war department and ths
committees OF congress appointed tc
investigate various phases Of military
performances during the past two
years already have commenced.
In the first place, there is much
criticism at the capitol over the man
ner assumed by some officers and
other officials when they appear be-
fore committees in explanation Of es-
Inmates and other needs OF the mill
tary establishment. a number of whom
by their attitude gave the Impression
that the war department itself should
be the sole Judge of the number of
men TO be authorized and the amounts
OF money TO be appropriated and the
manner in which the department and
various branches should be organized
and conducted
Much indignation Is expressed
among members OF congress over an
occurrence connected with the work
of the war department expenditure
committee, to which has been assigned
the task Of auditing expenditures and
making general investigation of the
conduct OF the war.
Calls On Baker.
Representative Graham. chairman
Of the committee, called upon the in
spector general Of the army for GER
tain information, which was refused.
thereupon he notified the secretary
OF war Of this attitude and requested
that orders be issued TO the effect that
all information desired by the COM
mittee be furnished promptly and
completely by officials Of the war
department and officers OF the army
whenever called for
To this request a reply was re-
ceived from the chief Of staff advis-
ing Mr. Graham that future requests
from him would be complied with
speedily; that the resources Of the de-
partment in tits particular would be
available at all times and TO any ex-
tent as an aid TO the inVestig eating !
and to that end there
would be detailed a liaison officer |
With whom TIC committee requests
should be filed and whose duty would /
De TO see that the needs OF the COM
nittee were met
Such an arrangement is viewed with 1
iisapproVal by committee members.
md Mr.. Graham has informed the
hief OF staff that II is not acceptable 4
{ is desired by the committee TO reach
bureau officials and individual Off
ers directly, wherever they may be.
without the delay or Surveillance Of
n llLclILC 4lLl--
Alleys Intimidation.
There is an impression at the cap
tol that committee hearings have
cen more or less under supervision
? influence amounting almost TO in
imidation g, Z witnesses. The presence
high ranking officers at certain
earrings where subordinates are Civ
lg testimony or explaining estimates
as been construed as an interference
18th franknes5 in the expression Of
Jews. 1t sometimes occurs that dis
losures are made at such hearings
lat do not appear IN the printed
scord thereof and which are OF ap-i
reciable value. and anything that
avors CT a defeat Of tbs essential re-
1T is regarded with disapprOval by
embers OF congress.
IN the hearing before the senate
ilitary COMMITTEES at this session on
my aviation there were evidences
lat the views of Brig. Gen William
itchell Of the air service. in favor Of
consolidated air service were close
followed by observing officers
hose presence invited the suspicion,
expressed by one committee mem
II. that Gen. Mitchell might hear
ON higher authority as to his views.
hich are known TO be disapprOvec
the war department