The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1916-02-22
By r. Il. JOHNS.

ny n. So"NS-
Not only new cloth for the uniform
of the regular army. but some radical
changes in the uniform may result
from the recommendation of a board
which held is first session at the war
Department yesterday. Whatever unit
form IL adopted for the regular army,
of course. will bring about similar
change in the National Guard.
The European war called attention
to the fact that the manufacturers are
depending on German dyes for the
color of the uniform of the United
States Army. II is generally believed
that if this country was called upon
TO place a large force in the field, ii
would be necessary to change the color
of the uniforms. The domestic manu-
faCturers. ii is stated, are not produc-
ing the dye that Is used in the uni
form of the army and National Guard.
Some time ago Brig. Gen. Henry G.
Sharpe, .. NJ. c., who is chairman of
the new board, conducted some expert
ments with the view of obtaining the
cloth which could be colored by do
nestle dyes. BY blending black and
white wool, he produced mottled
brown cloth. which is dressier and
now used in the uniform. II is stated
that preliminary experiments indicate
that there were fast domestic dyes
that could produce this cloth either in
wool or cotton.
II the new notified brown cloth
stands all of the service and weather
tests. it has been suggested that it be
substituted both for the dress and field
uniform. with such a plan the olive
drab and the blue uniforms would
disappear from the army and National
Guard.
A change of this character it is esti-
mated would save millions OF dollars in
eouipping a large army. At a time when
Congress is attempting to increase the
strength of the army at the minimum
expense any recommendation by the
Board which will reduce the cost of the
uniform Of the army without interfering
with its efficiency. will be approved by
the War Department and will be welcome
news to Congress.
| Aside from the larger question of econ
omy to the government there are a num-
: Der of features of the uniform and cloth
: ing allowance of the army that are I'M
! satisfactory. In the field and especially
along the Texas border II is stated that
the clothing allowance for enlisted men
! is too small. In the garrisons it is too
large and 1t is net all being ,rawn by
1t is stated the enlisted men of the army
/ have drawn i'm cash about s., Goo, 900 on
their clothing allowances
! 1t has been suggested that the allow
ance for the clothing be discontinued and
clothing be issued to the enlisted mer
whenever they need it. In some quar-.
1 tiers ii Is argued that il is evidently moi
just to have men who are doing hard
service along the border, paying for part
of their own clothing while those OF
garrison duty have an allowance which
is in excess of their needs.
i While the MARCHING shoe which is now
issued to the army is regarded as the
bert shoe In the world II is made of toe
light material According to the report.
form the border the Munson Board shoe
as IL is called, does not last long il
the grinding sand of southern Texas
There Is also some dissatisfaction with
the sweater and the blanket.
/ A representative of each arm of tn,
service has been placed on the board o
which Brig. Gen. Henry u. SHARPE
IoaarterTRaster Corps, is chairman. Tn,
other members of the board are Col. vii
bur T.. Wilder Fifth Cavalry: Col. Rich
nond p. Davis, Coast Artillery Corps
Cot Andre W. Brewster. inspector gen
erals department, and Maj. Msnus Nc
i Closkey, Third Field Artillery Col
! Brewster will leave Washington shortl.
ION an inspection trip Of about mont