The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-12-27

VILLA HAS COST
], US. $7O,OOO,OOO
It Will Cost Again As Much II
Troops Stay on Border
Until Spring.
AND Willy PANcH0 RAIDS ON
Bandit Chief Gaining Assem-
danoy In North, Mexican
Reports Would Indicate.
AND Willy PANcH0 RAIDS ON

lTyfuk 10 &et WIN " ~ eApoh
sive as II 10 futile. according TO those
who are concerning themselves with
the high cost OF punitive expeditions.
II In estimated that Uncle Sam al
ready has spent approximately SGT.
100000 In cool cash for military pur
poses incident TO the pursuit OF villa
Today tho willy "Pancho' II not only
as free 81 the air he breathens, but
each days dispatches bring fresh
nows OF his triumphs in the field and
his reascendency to power in trouble
torn Mexico.
speeuIatiss A. to fetal.
with tho Got villa" bill already
near the s1o.00o.000 mark. there Ia
considerable speculation az TO what
the totati cost will mount TO before
the bandit IN actually gotten" or
General Pershing's column OF regulars
IN withdrawn from Mexico and the
10000 miiisiamsn stili on tho border
arc ordered home.
Tho cost Of maintaining an army in
tho field during winter months Ia
much greater than In summer, be.
cause q largo number OF items, such
as heavy clothing. construction of
environments. or semi permanent bar
racks, and fuel must be added.
II Ia. therefore, thought probable
that II General Pershing's men and
the militia remain in the held until
spring, az seems likely, the bill will
be increased by another sIo.o0ooo0.
Pay IL Bissest Itsh.
The War Department has paid n
great number OF big bills since the
Get wills" order was issued and the
militia was federsiised. the largest
single item being that OF salaries 20
regular and citizen soldier officers
and men. Subsistence ranks ~ the
second largest item. while transporta.
ton has cost q fortune.
In totaling up the Get villa" bill,
tho cost OF mobiiiEinE and maintain
Ing the national guard 10 Inquired IN
because the miiitiamen were called
out after the Carraxai battle, which
was an episode In the hunt for the
bandit leader.
s,I MiIiiss To Rsiirss<s.
The transportation OF regulars and
niiitiamen to tho border 10 estimated
Co have cost tho Government at least
ss,OJ0. 900, the average distance tray
eIed by the citiscn soldiers being
about 800 miies. with an allowance
OF 4 cents q mile per man.
For the transportation OF the mil
lions of tons OF food. bsgGaGe, tent
aye. artillery guns, escort and comnat
wagons, and other impedimonta tho
railroads are estimated to hAye &c
ceiyed not less than t3,300,oo0.
Tho Government allows 80 cents .
day for the feeding OF each man.
with ibo. 900 men In the neld. the
food bill 10 $4,000 q day. On Deeem'
her n the militiamen will have been
In the ,eid 100 days. This makes q
total OF 90, ooo. 900 for daily food bills.
The cost OF kitchen equipment, pay
OF cooks and reserve supplies ~ FOOD
has run the bill up TO sio.ooo.Ooo. ae'
eording TO estimates made at the war
Department.
what the Men Get.
Fully 5000 900 already has been
paid to the regular and militia OF
Ulcers and men engaged In the villa
hurA since the eitiIsn'soidiary was
mobiIiEed. The pay OF the hunters
ranges from yib q month for privates
90 $500 q month for brigadier gen
erals.
To meet the conditions which the
army would have to face In Mexico,
the War Department decided 10 mo-
toriIe the auartermaster's department.
The purchase OF motor trucks. motor
tank cars for the carrying or water,
machine shops mounted on motors,
automobiles. motorcycles, tractors ana
motor wreeking trucks. the Govern
ment has spent <3,000,0O0 This does
not include the bills for repairs to
the thousands OF horseiess vehicles.
Had To Buy Uniforms.
When the militia was ordered out
Il was improperly and insufficiently
clothed. At least, 5000, 900 worth or
uniforms, shoes. leggings, hats. socks.
underwear, shirts. overcoats and 9th
er articles OF wearing apparel has
been purchased. and issued TO the
citizen soldiers and regulars since
the villa chase began
Thousands OF guns. bayonets. cart
ridge belts together with millions OF
rounds OF ammunition, had to be pur-
chased for the inafntrymen. while RI
Mes. pistols. sabres. saddles. harness
and countless other articles were
necessary for the cavairymen and ar
tilierymen. The bill for ordnance 10
cOnberNdttNciy cbtiHuteu ~ S~roooIuVV'
At the time OF mobilization the mi
litiamen had practically no horses or
mules. In a few instances the organ
ixations possessed mounts, but there
was not one animal available where
there should have been nfteen.
Cost Of Horses.
with the cost OF draft and riding
animals high because OF the European
war II Is figured that at least
$4,000. 900 was paid for the thousands
upon thousands OF mules and horses
necessary properly to equip the mill
tia and regulars.
Congress appropriated s2.ooo.0o
for the relief OF the dependent rela-
tlves OF the guardsmen. This and
considerably more has already been
disbursed to the needy families of
the militiamen.
More than 100000 worth of med
zeal supplies medicines, instruments,
etc. were purchased properly to care
for the health of the soldiers In the
field.
Fully 100000 has been paid in
Transporting soldiers discharged at
border stations to the places OF their
enlistment.
It will cost the Government at least
AGA - n.