Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-12-29
Baker aud His Critics

Is the Secretary OF War, that official who
1 for almost year from our entrance into
|; the war was held up as man Of straw due
for great comeback? viii the tide OF pub
lie opinion one day swing in his direction
10 the same extent that il swung away from
him? Will the men who have drawn and
chartered him, cruelty and ruthlessy be
forced TO confess with shame their error and
ne compelled 10 acknowledge in Mr.. Baker
the elements OF great public servant?
These are interesting questions and i, is
natural that men everywhere should be ask
ing them of each other as they contemplate
the results OF the past three years work in
the war Department, as they survey the
~hoie field OF successful military operations
al nome and abroad, and realize that when
me American people have the truth before
them they never misjudge public service
Moreover, reviewers OF the war proer3r,
recall the reaction which has taken place in
me case OF Secretary OF the Eavv Daniels
4hcy remember the brutal way the harpjcs
assailed him and the eager way that Tho
country as q whole chiined in believing a.
,Ae country undoubtedly did that Mr.
i,"A'eiS was the saddest misdt any President
ever placed in Cabinet position. Then
came the war and with it splendid efficiency
on IN" part OF the navy. This was no; cni
S!+hcE acquired overnight, Of course # was
e'iclency which had been devclopcd over
!o"s PERIOD OF years and was simply revealed
- INC cFlsis All this brought about a grca,
fcacuon III favor OF Mr. Daniels
30" it comes 70 pass that the Wor ne.
3ar''nen, has been iunctioning otter all IN
!Hshion that has aroused the aprlauso mn,
""!y or all fair-mindcd Americans hat of
every allied nation in the world !, c,n
De seen mat the Secretary 0f War laid III.
h'o"n"" "f. ior magnificent military
- ",I"ie' nc brought together all The forces
W IN" nation needed 10 support great ar,n;oe
IN me ned He shipped 900 900 men IN
rance within :itccn months from ,bn
utci"F"'nh oi war. when his mos, rclnrIl...
H'IcS declared that he would be and IN
put ie5S Than half that many abroad Atn.y
,'"hs went into battle all along the line ana
won the enthusiastic plauhi,g o. ec;,rrod va,
'"h5 ni four years fighting
! these facts and circuina,aurne ara l,i
"'hf I" hnk intn public conHciGusncys F:,i,-
'h'hdcd men and women cY"rvw.Lnrn .,r. -.
: s'hhihg to wonder IL they NV. mo-, Nam.
| t"''! o' gray" injustic" toward Jr r.,,cr
| ana. II, after all, he Is no, :, .,,c..s.
| executive And il may be noted ina, ,,,o ,,,n,
! ~ '".eFcSs who were most vitrolic in tl.t,
"Seauit" upon the military cstahliaI,,r,,,
/ nave Occn ailenced. Perhaps tboy u,yc ,,.,,.
' ''.s from nome and have became can
r,hcGd mat Il is no Longer safe 70 ,n.,,I
W.T. '''hc' 'Wic" or three times :; day
| While Great Britain har .a,,., s,,,,,
protect itself from the inno,,.,i, " 20
! priced American mcaty. I, s.c,, ,
| '""'rcn IN" r"ics for The uncbec,,o1 r,..
American whisky. ''" OF
senator Eikins, of Wcs, virginia YAM.
NV, 'eSS 10 90 more work and les. ,alkiur
~ senator is behind the time rh. l., .,
""he'" quit that practice long ago
Ds nnmta, sims insists tina, Secretary