The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-08-28
organization, would not be suitable for
the limited States

organization, would not be suitable for
the United States"
General George C. Meade: II have
had fair opportunity to observe the
workings Of the present system, both
IN time of war and peace. 1t has al
ways worked we'll"
General w. s. Hancock: "Those de-
partments (quartermaster's, commits
sary and pay) as they conducted their
work during the war gave great salts
faction" In another place General
Hancock says: From recent expert
ences of our great war we have an
assurance that those (staff) depart
ments can be relied upon under the
present system to perform their re-
spective duties in the most success
full manner under all circumstances"
In what Is known as the Garfield
report made to the house of represent
tatives in 1869, the committee on army
organization made the following
statement: much can be said in
praise of these departmental staff de.
partments) for their efficient services
during the late war. No large army
was ever so we'll clothed and fed, SO
thoroughly transported, or had so
efficient medical attendance or COM
Portable provision made for the sick
and wounded as ours"
This record, to which the quarter
masters department can point with
pride, 1t was prepared to reproduce in
the war with Spain, and had not its
action been hampered by unwise poll
cies there would have been even less
ground for criticism than existed in
the minds of some as to it's conduct in
the civil war. Without commenting on
the reasons which made these policies
operative, 1t is unjust to charge to a
system the deficiencies to which Cen
eral Carter refers. In attempting to
supply, with all of it's munitions of
war, an army corps over single track
road, deficient both in rolling stock
and facilities for handling the immense
business attendant thereon a better
excuse Is found.
With respect to policies, the expert
ences of the civil war gave little profit
and the errors of one period were
duplicated in another. Upon whose
shoulders the blame for such blunder-
ing should fall, it is thought the ma
ton at large, by this time, is fully
cOgnizant.
To the uninitiated, General Carter's
comments carry wholesale denuncia-
tons without even suggesting or out
lining remedy and bear the stamp of
ignorance of details and facts con-
nected with business, concerning
which, officers are now, as they have
been in the past, devoting their en-
tire time and energy to overcome, such
defects, as changing conditions neces.
STATED.
Familiar as they are with the many
restrictions which congressional ac-
tion imposes in time of peace, dealing
daily with the manifold problems Of
demand and supply, these officers are
from the very nature of things, best
fitted to observe defects and, with
the knowledge acquired by their own
experience to correct them.
AS established by law, it is the bust
ness of the quartermaster's depart
ment to clothe and shelter the armies
of the United States; to purchase and
distribute certain supplies needed in
garrison and field, and to transport
both troops and impedimenta as oc-
casions arise.
In time of peace the traditions of
the country and the wishes of it's peo-
pie prohibit the accumulations of
munitions of war in large quantities.
1t Is necessary, however, that in their
manufacture and purchase, localities
be selected where such supplies can be
collected for distribution to the various
points where the units of the army
may be serving. For this purpose