The Globe-republican., 1898-10-20
QUARTERMAsTER'S DEPARTMENT
Hnmpered i.y Impossibility Of PrOcur
fn;: supplies at short Notice.

in;: snppIie. At short Notice.
The Ouartermaster's Department is the
great general supply department of the
army. Its administration touches every
branch of army service. Upon this depart
ment by law is placed the duty and respon-
sibility. among others. of supplying ovens
and cooking appliances. every article of
clorhinG. shelter and storage of all kinds.
camp grounds. water and drainage ia
ciiitics all cavalry. artillery and draught
horses. males. harness ambulances. wagons
and carts. veterinary service and supplies.
forage for animals and transportation not
only for lis own but for the supplies of all
other departments. 1t builds wharfs and
docks charters ships and boats of every
character and executes contracts for rail
and wagon transportation.
Too Few Officers.
At the beginning of the war this depart
ment contained but fifry-seven officers. a
number below the needs Of the regular
army. 1t has been necessary for years
To supplement its strength by details OF
officers from the line. the same rs in other
departments. The commissioned personnel
had also to be increased.
Unable to Prepare.
At its supply depots were sufficient sup
plies for the wants of an army of 5000.
cut no more. Congress having for years
insisted upon economical appropriations in
all branches of public service, and the
~a"ertHrmaster's Department had at the
time of the blowing up of the Maine been
unable to make any advance preparations
whatsoever for war. On March 8. it re-
ceived an allotment from the s5O,O0O.O0O
appropriated for the National defense but
the entire country was rs little prepared
for war and the production of war materi-
ais as were the staff departments of the
army.
Canvas for tents was unobtainab.e ow-
Ing to the great demand 10 supply the Klon-
dixie: light materials for summer uniforms
had to be either woven or brought from
Europe. 4 uniform which afterward the
Quartermaster's Department bought for
from $50 10 81. cost officers who wanted
them quickly from 500 TO $50. and they
were obliged 10 wait two weeks. or even a
month. before the tailors could produce
them. The wool for cloth uniforms had TO
he dyed. spun and woven. Open market
purchases could only be made in limited
amounts on account of legal restrictions.
Department.. Hands Tied.
Skilled employees could not be hired be.
yOnd fixed rate Of pay. and in this way
the Department found its hands tied and
otherwise hampered in the way Of supply
ing service for vastly increased force.
The limited appropriations made by Con-
gress had deprived the + artment of
trained wasonmasters and packers. Pack
mules nd saddles had to he obtained, For
service beyond the sea transports had 70
he purchased and fitted ont as hest possi5le
III limited time for the TRANSPORTATION Of
soldiers. The United States never having
engaged In foreign war. not a single troop
snip was available. The neutrality lovs
prevented their purchase abroad No -es.
seis except those Of American build could
engage IN the coastwise TRANSFORMATION
even though chartered by the Government,
and congress was averse to granting Amer
lean registry 10 foreign bette forcing tho
department into the purchase OF fore;pn
vessels.
Necessity for Haste,
"hat had Ia be- done must be done ouicS
iF- To have waited for the proper fitf;nr mn
q. the troopships would have KEN, tho CO..
diers who planted the Stars and Sfrin.. o,o,
Santiago and Manila in the United Stsie.
until the present time. for it will be October
10 before the first really modern troopship
belonging 10 the United States viii be OF
the ways at Cramps shipyards, and an.
other will follow from the yards at Bath.
Me. the first week in November. In th.
short space of time occupied by hostilitics
the Quartermaster's Department has per
formed its manifold duties with striking en-
ersy. and besides improvising suficient
transports has purchased the following for
the use Of troops:
Morses ..--.............. 17.140
SMuies ......-...-.-...... q ,O90
wagons 0O2
Amooiances 500
RRsrness 'sefs, ..-.....-..-..... &416