Evening journal., 1919-01-29
WAR letter SHOWS
BAKER WAS WRONG
Overman Proves Witness
Stevenson Was Employee
of Department
SECRETARY
ENTERS DENIAL

4
WASHINGTON, Jan. 29.-Secretary OF
War Baker was subjected to a severe
chastisement in the Senate yesterday
when Senator 0Yerman IN. C.), chair
man Of the subcommittee investigating
German propaganda, gave the Senate his
Authority for examining Archibald
Stevenson, the investigator, who Secre-
| tary Baker had denied was a member
Of the office of Military Intelligence Of
the War Department
| Senator 0verman gained recognition
Immediately after the convening OF the
Senate and at once launched his attack
on the Secretary Of War, who yester-
day rose to the defense OF the paciflsts
OF the United States by denouncing Mr..
Stevenson's who's who in paciflsm,"
made public by Senator 0verman's COM
mittee.
Secretary Baker in his statement had
asserted that Mr.. Stevenson was not
attached TO the Military Intelligence
ONCE and disclaimed any knowledge
Of him. Senator Overman produced
documents TO prove the legitimacy Of
Mr.. Stevenson's appointment and the
accommodation by superior oflicer
Of his capacity TO serve as a witness.
In introducing the subject Senator
0vefman said:
81 assume the Secretary Of War In his
statement published In the press this
morning did not intend to critlcise the
Senate Committee on the Judiciary
charged with the Investigation Of Ger
man propaganda.
Whether he approves Of the method
adopted by the committee or not is a
matter OF no concern 10 the committee.
But when he undertakes to repudlate
and escape responsibility for a witness
called by that committee at the instance
OF one Of the branches Of the War De-
partment his statement cannot be per-
mitted TO go unchallenged.
1.-The facts are these Secretary Baker
declares that Mr.. Stevenson has never
been an officer or an employe OF the
Military Intelligence Division Of the
War Department
This committee never heard Of Mr..
Stevenson until his name was called to
the attention Of the committee in a COM
munication from the ONCE Of Military
War Department. New
York city, dated December II, 1918, ad-
Washington, D. c., which
with a notation 10 rush
was delivered by the office Of the Mill
tary Intelligence, Washington, D. c.. to
this committee, and the portion thereof |
relating to Mr.. Stevenson reads as fol- !
lows:
War Department, once Of Military |
Intelligence, Room SOC, 3O2 Broadway, |
New York City, December II, 1918.
From ONCE NJ. /. D., 302 Broadway, |
New York, to Director Of Military In !
Washington, D. c.: Subject: |
senate Inquiry. 1. II Is respectfully sug-l
yested that the following Witnesses be
,alled to testify before the Senate in
Iiiryi 49,
-. ,~-. ~.
archibald Ewing Stevenson Of the
section who has studied
ierman propaganda in the United States
or over a year and concentrated on the
ubiect and is probably more familiar
With the various -interlocking groups
4 German and radical propagandists in
he United States at this time than any
me else.
"IoHN B. TREVOR. Capt, U. S. A.
"It is evident that the Secretary Of
Var did not familiarize himself with
he employees Of his department or the
work which was being done by the Bu-
eau Of Military Intelligence."
The letter Of Captain Trevor was
cad by the secretary Of the Senate and
hen Senator OverInan finished his re-
marks by saying:
Now | want to explain that / have
published only an excerpt or so from
he letter OF Captain Trevor. The letter
Mr.. Stevenson as a most re-
liable witness was sent to me by a spe- II
ial messenger. Attached TO it was a
right red card emblazoned In big let
ers rush"
The incident caused considerable stir
q the Senate for the reason that SEN
tor Overman, recognized as one Of the /.
est natured men in Congress, showed {
D every lineament his annoyance and /
at what he believes TO be [
he unwarranted criticism Of the I
Committee. The reading Of 7
he Trevor letter and Mr.. Oyerman's [
tatement closed the incident. :
Secretary Baker, when he learned Of ,
he structures placed upon his remarks
5 to the standing Of Special Agent
tevenson, gave out statement in
ihich he denied that he had meant in
ny wise to reflect upon the intentions
I the Judiciary Committee in summon
lg Mr.. Stevenson as witness.