The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-31
COMFORTS FOR THE rRooPs.
Various Suggestions OF Inspection Omeoss
as to Clothing. Messing. and Barraehs.

as to Clothing. Messing. and Barraeks
WASHINGTON. Dec. 80. For several years
past the army authorities have paid much at.
tention to lettering the condition OF the en-
listed men In matters OF comfort and conven.
fence OF living. They have recognized that
while In time OF war good soldiers will put up
with many discomforts and sources Of annoy
ance. they feel that In time OF peace they
should be properly cared for in clothing food,
quarters. opportunities OF recreation, and
whatever else tends to make the service desir-
able. 1t is also recognized that the wisest
economy requires attention to these details,
inasmuch as assertions. which are . very
costly drain. may thereby be decreased.
Tho reports for the last year indicate that
the supplies furnished by the Quarterm astsr's
Department are generally good. although
there are mplaints In some particulars The
clothing is mostly excellent. and large varis-
ties OF 1t are provided. while In general IL
IS rather better suited to differences in eli.
mate than 1t was formerly. Fault however
is found with the boot issued to mounted
troops. as being too heavy. OF poor shape. and
not wearing we'll Major Vroom suggests that
shoes and canvas leGGings would be preiera.
bic for field service. and a lighter and better
made boot should be issued for mounted duty
in garrison. Major Chatfee and Major Bacon
also recommend the substitution OF IegRings
LOT Dools Tor caNalryheh' anu the latter
says that the infantry prefer legRings OF
the same length as the cavalry. Capt.
Gale takes the same ground. and says
the foot wear Is uncomfortable both
in winter and summer the boots being clum.
sier and more unhealthy than shoes. lie has
superior 10 nny OF the Goyernment issuas
, ant Webster also speaks of the infrrioritT n
the shoes to those purchaEed from dealara
Col DE Russey and Can't. Foote saw that the
material Is not pliable enough the uppeTs he.
ing heavy and coarse. This r"int sesms thape.
fare TO be established by weight Of eyideDca
As to other articles OF clothing Lieut. COL
Kent has these hints:
a. hav. canvas rothtng . hror.. an, ,,tL ,.... go,
for en,ted Men Two b"ses and I'M dp cost ~
officers TIE fuEdrvss oat is worn on an average moi
mo.e thar evl hours m year. under arms IL has
9ssn mat In service on ire plans the full
80 80 =" ~, % 10 gispsssG MN lhat lT0l
worn or tHt tnry h. nds a. M i s 1Hnss %
and that leggings be worn NOT onl, Tor camtagn bni
ro= all other puTposeS
Liant Col Ilurton think. that tba .rorr, ~
the forage can shouIJ hs mnGs ~ cIn,Ttnt
ere should be difTarenI widths 81 Inon ni 'tas
supplied and that drawers shnnI1 bnvn ai'a,aa
or INIT uiares nj the amt Ia nsta,,J - 5000
and strings - A"
col HeyI makes the oftep sugpcs,a5 .oa
Tea sODnbie point that cIo,hing fssunJ 10 SUI an
listed men should he fitted NJ The synensa N
the Government. He saws also that the gar
ments are OF IN feFiOr quality and that "a GOOD
NNash -leatHer glove shOlIII Le sunnIieI Na,or
ing issued hut the material snpIlieI in bulE
as during his last inspectlon several tailoTs
pointed out what they considered a bad eur ~
he blouse Ey the UuaTtermasteT's 6snAri
ment. Col Townsend says THAT the amount
paid by enlisted men 10 get their ciofbinv all
ered is out Of proportion to their nav aada
serious excuse OF debt
The barracks and quarters are steadily i'm.