Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-15
GARB FOR SAILORMEN
Two Government Clothing Factories to Be
Established.
VIII BE Erected at Mare Island and
New York-WOrk During the
Spanish War.

Enlistment of two government factories
for the manufacture of clothing for the en-
listed force of the navy. Provision for
these factories was made at the last session
of Congress. but the execution of the pro-
ject was delayed on account of the progress
of the war with Spain. One of the new fac
tories is to be established in the navy yard
at Mare Island. Cal and the other is to be
erected and operated in conjunction with
the present clothing factory at the navy
yard, New York. The Secretary of the
Navy has approved the plans for both
plants and the work of construction Will be
hurried with the view of having them both
ready in about three months. The cost OF
the buildings and necessary equipment, in
Guiding machinery, will be about $15o.OO0.
Most of the clothing worn by the enlisted
men of the navy hereafter will be manu-
featured at these factories. which Will also
be utilized for the examination and testing
of cloth and all other materials employed
in making the sailors wardrobe before they
are accepted and sent to the ships.
possessed by the navy is in cramped and
primitive quarters in one Of the Oldest
buildings at the New York navy yard. Ex-
perienCe has demonstrated that the old
plant not sufficient to supply enough
clothing for the navy in time of peace and
consequently was entirely inadequate to
meet the increased demand when the navy
was placed a war footing. That there
was no deficiency in the clothing supply of
the navy during the Spanish war was due
to the thoughtfulness of the officers of the
naval bureau of supplies in providing for
such emergency through timely contracts
with private dealers.
With the new factories in operation the
government will be entirely independent of
private dealers, as the proposed plants will
be capable not only of meeting every regu-
lar demand made upon them, but will be
able also to supply a reserve stock for
emergencies.
Work Done for the War.
Some idea Of the enormous amount of
work accomplished by the New York cloth
ing factory can be had from the last report
of the superintendent, recently printed
in the New York Times. AT the outbreak
of the Spanish war there was only a very
limited supply of clothing on hand. In
March, 1898, the first supplies of cloth
ing We're sent from the factory at the
Brooklyn navy yard to be used for war pur-
poses Then enough clothing to sup
ply 2oooo men was got ready and
Va, and to the Mare Island navy
yard in California. In the latter part of
April large supply of clothing was sent
to the ships in command OF Admiral Dewey
at Manila. and before the first shot was
fired in the battle of Santiago more than
1.u1.NO garments had been shipped to the
various vessels and stations. These were
for the use not only of the regularly en-
large number of men who comprised the
naval militia and those from the revenue
cutter service. Nearly 100000 yards of
cloth were used in making these Clothes
and the cost was about 81, 100000.
A change has been made in part of the
uniform as far as the Undertaking is con-
cerned, and this work is all done by con-
tract. The present output of the factory
Is about 10000 garments a month, which in
ciudes overcoats, regular uniforms and
working clothes. In addition to this there
and servants turned out month.
There are at present slowed away in the
New York storehouse about 100000 gar
ments of all kinds. besides 5000 pairs of
shoes. This is about what is usually car
ried in stock, but with the increase in the
forces ana the placing of some of the new
ships in commission this surplus will soon
he wiped out.
The sailors are allowed so much money a
year as clothing account. They draw
their clothing. and it is charged up to them
by the paymaster. The enlisted men are
required to have several kinds of clothing
and must always be prepared for all kinds
OF weather. While some of the sailors are
doing duty in the north where overcoats
and heavy fannels are comforta BILE others
are basking in the tropic sun. In hot eli
mates or hot weather the men wear white
duck clothing, while in cooler temperatures
they wear the regular blue flannel When
at work the men have clothing of coarse
white material.