The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-12
BAKER ADMITS TWO
CAMP SITE ERRORS.
Declares South Was Chosen
Because Of Better Weather
Conditions.
COST PLUS PLAN SCORED
House Committee Told Rifle
Ranges Were Planned on
Pictures in Washington.

WASHINGTON, July 11.-Questioned to-
day by a House war investigating sub
committee about the location Of most Of
the army training fields in the South.
Secretary Baker said he had never
heard an improper suggestion from any
one about the location of the camps"
Mr.. Baker declared the camps were
placed in the South rather than in the
North solely because better weather con-
ditions obtained there. and he added that
TO influence that he knew Of was exerted
to send the men to the South.
Replying to questions regarding the
disposal Of the camp sites bought by the
Government Secretary Baker said II was
wiser to maintain these properties until
the future military policy had been nxed
by Congress-
Mr.. Baker said: Frankly. I made a
mistake In directing that work be re-
sumed on Camp Benning, Ga, last
March, after the Senate Military Com
mittee on a tie vote failed to approve
the project. The Secretary explained
that before making the decision Senator
Hoke Smith (Ga.) had told him two alb
sentee committeeman favored the camp.
Another mistake admitted by Mr..
N. c., camp In preference to site at
Fayetteville. Reports of an inadequate
water supply at the latter place. which
was later disproved. he said, led him to
select Charlotte.
Chairman Mckenzie asked why the
large Government owned area at Leon
Springs Tex. was not used. but Mr..
Baker was unfamiliar with this prop
erty.
Water is not available there" inter-
rupted Col. Kuldell Of the general stan.
Then that property. bought at the
! recommendation of the War Department,
was a mistaken" asked the chairman.
Troops from Fort Sam Houston use
the ground but are not quartered there, "
responded the Colonel
In concluding his testimony Secretary
Baker said in reply TO Chairman McKen-
zie that he gave his approval to the cost
plus system Of contracts
CritchaeId Scores Selections.
After Secretary Bakers appearance
the committee called other witnesses to
! tell of activities at Camp Benning. In
Georgia plantations. comprising the camp
! site. the salvage OF valuable timber or
the property and the suitability Of the
rifle range selections
Major A. B. Critchfield. formerly Adju-
| tant-General OF Ohio. said the disap-
prevail of one rife range by board OF
| which he was q member led to the re-
moval of the headquarters site to a point
fourteen miles distant. The latter range
was two miles wide and as long as you
want It. perfectly level" said the Major
Nine boards. he said. had viewed the
| camp site. and made various selection,
| ruIth lafa
one
THE other range. east of Columbus
Ga. near where the camp was ther
, planned" the Major said, was too
| small: one had to shoot over a railroad
at the grade. and a town of pretty gooc
size was there for backstop. But ther'
! was a stake out east of Columbus, tina
some one had placed there, and the worlt
| seemed to go around It Col II. Z
Eames, then in charge, had to come t
Washington to get the change approved
and the Secretary OF War saw that
mistake had been made and the Location
was moved"
Major Critchheld said he Is now il
charge of constructing the new firin,
| range at the camp, but that is was
mile and quarter from the place hi
board had regarded as best, becsus
some one In Washington thought the,
ought TO lay out a firing line from pic
lures"
Omcers Always An Doubt.
Asked II officers at the camp had no
been in doubt as to the work, Majo
Critchfeld responded:
III damnation meant doubt we'd al
! be damned We've never been in any
thing but doubt down there since las
fall"
Lumber being used at the camp 4
KNOTS and sap and some bark" tn
Major said, adding It was of much in
ferior quality to that which might b.
obtained from cutting trees at tho camp
Construction on a cost plus basis
which the Ma or said obtained at tn
camp. was criticised by him. saying tina
one should not be paid 10 cents for ever!
dollar spent. He favored the Govern