Amarillo daily news. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 19??-current, 1920-11-17
SECRETARY URGES
ALL COMPLAINTS
Be FORTHCOMING
DECLARES THAT HIS INVITATION
IN EXTENDED TO EVERY
CITIZEN.
REPLY maze TO CRITICISM
Discusses Methods Of Purchasing Sup.
plies by Government Congested
Period When Nation Was
at War.

WARRINGTON, Nov. i6.--A blanket
Invitation 10 every citizen having knowl,
edge Of any irregularity or misconduct
on the part of any agent. employer. o'.
ficer Of the War Department to submit
such evidence for investigation. was TO-
sued today by Secretary Baker In reply
10 recent criticisms ~ the surplus prop.
erty division. appearing In New York
newspaper.
The secretary's statement pledged
through inquiry In every accusation
brought 20 the attention Of the depart
ment
Declaring that the particular articles
referred 20 charge: First. that the War
Department bought too many supplies;
and second. that Irregularities. favorii,
ism and profiteering have characterized
the disposal OF surplus stocks. Tho
statement denied both allegations.
The supplies were bought. II said, on
the basis Of an unexpected duration NJ
the war.
Tremendous Army.
Had the campaign Of 1919 been nee.
eeSary." u said, the American army
would have been greater In numbers
than the combined French and British
armies In France"
The rapid demobillzation OF the army.
the statement continued. left vast &C.
cumulation OF material. which. ~
dumped ON the market. would have re
suited In widespread unemployment
with demobilised soldiers and war work
eco joblces. and the economic condl'
tion of the country prostrated"
The policies which were pursued. en-
courased the resumption of the inquiry
and America IL the only country active
~ engaged IN the war which has. up u
this time. attained fun employment con'
ditions. Il added.
Total appropriations for the War Dc.
partment from April 8, 1917, TO June 30.
1870. were approximately s25,5OO. .0Oo,'
900. Of which tis.i00. 100000 was ex
pended and t7.s0o, ,e00. 900 turned back 90
the treasury. the statement said. Ds'
ducting balances on hand and amounts
realized In sales prior To June 30. had II
continued, the net cash outlay 10 June
80 was 6.770. 900. 900. which credit and
cash sales not yet turned In would re-
duce to about ti3.5Oo, 100000.
Was no stintlng.
I'm other words" the statement said.
congress provided with an unstinting
hand and the War Department took
every step In its power TO prevent a
shortage Of any necessary war material
and built Its plan TO meet the great
army In the process II formation. There
was no shortage. In spite Of all thls,
however. cut II a total Of about t2t.'
O00. 900. 900 appropriated, about tl3.O00,'
600 viii be the net cost of the war
through the War Department. and this
fgiure includes great and valuable
properties and facilities acquired by tn,
department and permanently retained
for the use Of the military establish
ment."
Specific charges OF irregularity AMI
favoritlsm. made by Mai W. q. Watts
former executive officer of the surplus
property division. have been carefully
Investigated by the inspector general 4
department and found Ia he unsupport'
cd, the statement declared.
More recent charges appearing In the
published articles also will be invcstl'
gated. II added.