The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-03-24
TIE TIEs D1sPATCH RICHMOND VA FRIDAY MARCH a. 1911
Especial to The Timcs.Dis patch.1


Washington, D. c.. March .D.-Pic-
morning marketing with market
basket capable of holding over $4,000
pounds of produce and a pockotbook
containing 5000 or $4,000 with which
to mako your purchases.
figuratlvely speaking. this is the
daily task or Major Harry L. Wilkins,
chief commissary officer at the army
manoeuvre camps at San Antonio Tex
Few people realize what a gigantic
task 1T is to see that 10000 able bodied
soldiers get three good meals day.
While much has been written about
the achievements of other branches OF
the army In connection with the newly
pitched camps along tho Mexican bor-
der, the cominissary department. has
been neglected, and set this is perhaps
the most important of them all. Miit-
tary experts all agree that In order
to get the best services from the sol
der first It must be seen that he is
we'll fed. and. secondly, that he is well
shod and clothed.
1t IS Major Wilkinss duty 10 see
that this first requirement is carried
out at the San Antonio camp IN
this he has the assistance OF Captain
Joseph e. Cusack chief purchasing OF.
l
stores for use in the army are largely
purchased through the War Depart
ment by contract By this means /.
has been found that the different urti-
cles can be secured at less cost than
II bought BY the purchasing officers Of
the posts where they are needed.
aiade in Onen Market.
In the case Of the san Antonio camp
however. Major Wilkins has been Civ
en- authority to purchase any supplies
thGt he may need at the nearest con-
Vcnient point. such purchases are
made In tho open market and not
through contract. This VIII mean that
farmers In the ncighborhood OF San
Antonio. Ten. VIII have no difficulty
In disposing of their produce this sea-
son. for Instead of using canned and
desicated vegetables the commissary
officers will secure fresh articles when.
ever II is possible.
In estimating the amount OF food
necessary to feed an army, the unit
OF measure used is known as a ration.
or that amount OF food required by
one man for one day. One army ru-
ton costs the government about 90 10
cents at the present time. Several
years ago rations could be purchased
at several cents less cost. The 10000
ratlons needed TO feed each day the
army camped about San Antonio costs
the government about Si.70i.
Three hundred and twelve cooks are
needed to prepare the food when once
1t has reached the camp. In this work
they have the assistance Of an equal
number Of Kitchen police. or soldiers
who have been detailed TO help In the
preparation OF the food and also in the
serving during meal time.
Zach company has It's own cook
tent and two regular cooks. Each day
about two or three members OF the
respective companies are detailed as
their assistants
In u manoeuvre camp, requiring 90
oeo rauons daily, such as the one at
San Antonio. about 5000 pounds OF
beef are consumed. About 900 pounds
or dried and canned fish are used
Nearly LOCO pounds of lard are required.
and about GOO pounds of butter Ap-
proNimatcly LOO pounds OF coffee, o.
600 cans Of condensed milk and 1000
pounds Of sugar are other important
items. Between 10000 and 10000
leaves of bread must also be included
Rations or course, vary according
to the conditions under which they ara
TO be used, When a military organiza-
ton is located In a permanent camp.
fresh meats and Vegetables can gen
orally he secured. but ii an order is
gwen TO break camp and prepare for
campaign the commssary officers
must get busy and get together such
supplies as can be kept stored for some
lime without any danger OF their spoil
ing.
II the regiments canped about san
Antonio were to be ordered in the
Held FOR week of active ca!npaieninr
IL would be necessary to carry along
$1,000 pounds Of canned beef, 7S.75O
pounds OF bacon, and 10000 pounds of
hard bread. Thirty thousand pounds
or desciccatcd onions and potatoes and
lo,OoO pounds of canned tomatoes
would be needed. Other items would
be 1900 pounds of coffee and 22.o5O
pounds OF beans Dessert for the SOL
dicrs would be represented BY 1875
rounds OF Jam. In seasoning tic food
375 pounds of pepper, 5000 pounds OF
salt and 1860 gallons Of vinegar
would be needed. Other important
items in tho list would include 5000
pounds of soap and 1850 pounds OF
candles .
Weighs 100000 Pounds.
II has been estimated that the no,
weight of the food necessary to main
tain an army OF 10000 FOR one wccx's
duty in the field would be about 800
600 pounds. This only represents ,be
actual weight OF tho food alone. and
does not include the weight or tha
boxes, cans and crates in which It
must be carried. The gross weight is
more than $4,000 pounds.
BESIDES supplying the food for an