The Daily Alaska empire., 1937-12-27

the action of the Ohio State Democratic convention (which had instructed the state delegation to vote for Governor Judson Harmon for the presidential nomna- son After notable speech by MT Baker the nation
 l convention overrued the state convention instruc ions and he with other Ohio delegates voted for Wilson.
 The latter when forming his cabinet offered MT Baker the interior portfolio but the Ohioan declined aying that he felt it was his duty to the people of Cleveland to continue in their service He free, however to accept the department post in suc-
 ession to Secretary Garrison, having returned to the
 practice of law at the expiration of his second
 erm as mayor two months previously
 Secretary Baker generally has been given credit
 or the selection of General Pershing head of the American Expeditionary Forces, although in- ,lined to the belief that the appointment was made
 y President Wilson exercising his authority as ,ommander-in-chief of the army. At any rate, MT Baker head of the war department promised Gen.
 ral Pershing free hand and unswervng support, promise that was kept and which enabled the Ameri-
 an general to map out and wage his campaigns with
 nut interference from Washington That General oershng while in France had the full confidence and support of the war department was indicated by the fact that during the time misunderstanding arose between him and the secretary of During the service of the A. F Secretary Baker made trips To Europe to inspect the American forces and was received with honors and distinguished attention. The war department in connection with it's ganizaton of the American forces for participation in he World War was subjected to hostile criticism Congress. Secretary Baker answered his critics by pointing out that no army of such numbers in the history of the world ever had been raised equipped land trained so quickly or had proven itself efficient lin action
 Notwithstanding this criticism at home Ameri-
 generally to the defense of Secretary Baker when derogaory sketch of him appeared in volume
 f the Encyclopedia Britannica. The sketch after iewing his early life said of him. The charge of acfsm often brought against him and his career
 generally secretary widely condemned through ut the United States lacking in energy foresight
 md ability and especially his failure to prepare ade uatey in the months immediately preceding the American declaration of war"
 Prominent Americans criticized the sketch un- ust unfair and untrue Among those who comment d upon it James w. Wadsworth, Jr, a Republ- an. and for several years chairman of the Senate Committee on Military Affairs. While it is true hat MT Baker criticized and in instances joined in the criticism" said MT Wadsworth T am dad to have the opportunity to express my dissent rom the estimate of his ability and services con- aimed in Britannica"
 Ungrudging recognition of the services of MT. Baker as wartime secretary of contained in the citation awarding him the Distinguished Serv- ice Medal nearly decade after the struggle ended and set into history official estimate of his high service That estimate is enhanced by the fact that it was recorded under Republican administration. It Republican Secretary of War Dwight F Davis, who approved the language that placed squarely upon
 the shoulders of MT Baker personal responsibility for the organization development and completion of a military program which brought to the Ameri- can arms"
 It was disclosed that MT. Baker struck his name off the list when army medal board in 1919 pro- posed to recognize his services.