New-York tribune., 1921-03-02
Charges Baker
Blocks Inquiry
Into War Cost
House Subcommittee Saws
S8l5, 787.989 Is Not Ac-
counted For i'm Report
of Army's Chief Buyer
Records Held i'm France
s.Needless Slaughter" After
Armistice Is Assailed:
1912 OH Casualty List
r.e.n 1,h. rrihxne.s Washincton R,.r.a,

From The IrsbNt,es Wushtn Cton Euredu
WASHING TON, March f.-Secretsry
Baker and the Administration were
charged to-day in the report OF the sub
committee on Foreign Expenditures Of
the House War Investigating Commit
tee with deliberately frustrating in
yestlgation of the expenditures of the
A.E. F, in France. The War Secretary.
according TO the report, has withheld
evidence and prevented the return to
this country OF the records of expendi-
lures.
The report. which was made pubic
by Chairman Royal c. Johnson of the
subcommittee, also declares there is
a discrepancy of SS15,7 ,9S916 be-
tween the amount transferred to the
A. E. F. for expenditure and the state
ment Of the chief of the purchase of
supplies in France, General Charles G..
Dawes. Without a complete audit,
which the committee believes impos-
sible, this discrepancy can never be
explained, says the report.
In its Introduction the report states
tnat these circumstances stood in the
way Of anything but an investigation
more general than would serve the
best purposes" While the report has
beer approved by the full Graham
committee, it is still open to recou-
sideration by the committee. and it is
expected that before final approval is
given the Johnson report will be the
center or a stormy session in the COM
mittee room.
Needless Slaughter" Point Protested
A majority OF members are known
TO object TO che section of the report
condemnirg "oficers of the high COM
mand' for needless slaughter to which
1ney subjected our troops on armistice
cay, between the hour of receipt Of the
iotice Of armistice and the hour at
h.ca Il became effective. Their fail
ure to modify the standing order that
;ae enemy De vigorously pressed along
ne entire line resulted in 3.912 casual
,ies in thirteen American divisions on
November II, according to a table con-
gainad in the report. Of this number
IS we're killed in action, 2,769 were
Nounded severely in action, .i66 were
roHnded slightly, III were gassed
slightly and 232 suffered wounds or
sassiHe OF undetermined degree. The
table shows that the 7Tth Division had
q total of 50 casualties. 4 being killed
n action ard 10 severely wounded.
1T is regrottable,' says the report.
,hat the department has used its posi-
ION and power with view to impede.
I not nreve1t, progress in this inyes-
tiga.io0 Tho Secretary's professions
ave been one way, his performances
arGely another. IaA tke situation been
ether9;se tho public duty assigned to
IL would have been more satisfactorily
performed. This attitude. the commit
zee thinks. strikes deep into the vitals
of the government and involves the
congressional functions Of raising,
supporting and regulating the army.
which under the Constitution belong
exclusively to Congress.
Records Are Kept in France
Many of the fiscal records ad-
mlttedly essential TO this Investigation
rave been retained in France under
me provisions of the settlement with
rance, and no thorough audit of the
accounts could be made without the
serVlees OF many expert accountants
thcef 4ucA circumstances none but =
eenerai Investigation, more general
.AaA would serve the best purpose.
couid DC attempted to BE made into the
aac@l administration OF the army
abroad. nay
We have desired these records at
al times, and have been informed nv
me department from time to time and
naFe expected early arrival. With sur
PRISE and disappoir tment we found az
iate as February 70, 1920, that the rec-
oros were still in Paris, Again In