, 1900-10-10
ARMY SUPPLIES.
Agricultural Glasses Almost
Exclusively Depended
Upon for Them.
Farm Products Absolutely Neces-
sary for the Sustenance Of
Men and Horses.
Rash and False Statements of Bry-
an Regarding These
Matters.
Official Figures Disprovs Arguments Of
tho Democratic Leader in
His Speeches

Mr.. Bryan. in his speech accepting
the populist nomination for president,
made on August % at Topeka, Kan,
departed from the plan followed in his
indianapolis speech accepting the
democratic nomination, and discussed
all the issues peculiar to the populists.
In talking on these questions he made
many rash and false statements in re-
gard to certain conditions which he
declared to exist. In his speech to the
farmers he laid especial stress upon
the fact that they were not benefited
by the republican prosperity, and in
speaking of militarism and imperial
ism and their effect upon the farmers,
he said:
Looking at questions from the stand
point Of the producer Of wealth, rather
than from the standpoint of the Spectator,
the populist recognizes in militarism a
constant and increasing burden. The army
of wheat, is not nearly SO dangerous an
enemy to the farmer as a large standing
try, n which exacts toll from every crop.
II 10O,0 men are withdrawn from the
ranks of the producers. and placed as a
burden on the backs of those who remain.
greater sacrifices for those who toll. The
farmer, while he pays more than his share
in army contracts or in developing COM
panies, and his sons are less likely to fill
life positions In the army than the sons
of those who. by reason of wealth or p.o-
llitlcal prominence, exert influence at Wash
ington."
This statement, especially as to the
farmer and his relation to the army.
is SO far from the truth, and is so easily
disproved, that it eXcites suspicion. In
the first place, Mr.. Bryan must know
hat the law provides that all army
contracts must be advertised for, and
bids opened, before they are awarded.
and that no special class Is favored in
giving them out.
Figures showing the expenditures
by the quartermaster's department
from April, 1898. to and including June,
1900, make It plain that nearly S O,O00.-
900 has been expended by the United
States for the purchase Of supplies and
materials for the army which nave
been produced by the farmers. So that
when Mr.. Bryan says that the farmer.
while "he pays more than his share Of
the expenses of the army. has no part
in army contracts or in developing
companies, he states what is untrue.
Official figures Of expenditures in the
subsistence department of the war de-
partment show that in the purchase of
American products during the years
1898, 1899 and to June 80, 1900, the ar
ticles purchased for %rations were main
ly direct products of the farm, such
as beef, bacon, flour, cornmeal, beans,
rice, potatoes, canned tomatoes, mo-
~lasses. soap, pork, hard bread, peas,
hominy, onions, sugar, vinegar, pep
per and candles, and during that period
the subsistence department expended
$33, 147,617.63 for these rations. So
much for the subsistence department.
The quartermaster's department
shows. on account of purchase Of for
age, fuel. stationery. cavalry and ar
tillery horses. wagons and means of
transportation (other than railroads.
boats, etc.. harness, clothing and
equipage. materials and manufactures
and lumber, from April. 1898, to June
80, 1900, that $4s, 500, O36.s 80 has beer K
pended.
OF this forage. oats, hay. straw, etc.
come direct from the farmer. Horses
and mules. as well as the lumber pur-
chased, We're American products. while
the many millions OF dollars expended
for clothing, equipage and material.
represent wool and cotton grown by
farmers in the United States. Instead
of the farmer having as dangerous an
enemy in a large standing army as he
has in the army worm, figures from
the war department thus show that
he has been greatly aided and helped
by the army. and has had a market for
his products.
To show exactly the amount Of
money expended by the quartermas-
ter's and subsistence departments of
the war department, the following Of
fetal figures are given in answer to
Mr.. Bryan's charges that the army
has not helped the farmer, but has
been menace:
The subsistence department, during
the two and a half years, has expended
for American farm products, for ra-
tons for the army, s33,147,617.63.
The quartermaster's department has
expended during the same period on
account of purchase of forage, fuel.
horses, clothing. ETC.:
Forage Goats. hay, straw, etc.).. S,0S2, OILS 10
Fuel wood and coaD. station
cry. stoves .................... 2,771, 4O6 s.
Cavalry and artillery horses. l,740, O53 -
Draught horses and mules......: 2,5s2, $40 Is
Wagons and means of LAND
transportation, other than rail-
roads, boats, tc................ 2,11s, $50 a
Harness 482, 374 10
Purchase of clothing and equi-
page and materials .:.:......... a.ssl. Oss IA
Manufacture OF clothing n
equipage 2,l33, 703 o.
Purchase Of lumber.............. LIE, $50 "a
Total exS G0s 06 70