The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-08-10
HOUSE SEES HEAVY.
BROGANS GIVEN OUT.
TO MEN ON BORDER
Lawmakers Show Amusement
At Sally BY Chicagoan Dur
T. ing Argument.

While listening to grave charges as to
defective supplies and equipment pro-
vided for the national guard, the House
Yesterday was treated to an exhibition
OF q sample Of the shoes which are
being furnished the national guard
troops in some instances.
Congressman Green Of Iowa showed
the House pair Of heavy brogans.
which were rough and unsuited for
marching, and much beyond the weight
Of the regular army shoes.
Considerable laughter was caused In
the House when Judge Green invited
Congressman Britten of Illinois to put
them on and try them out.
IT am from Chicago. / could not
get them on" said Mr.. Britten.
Unfit Equipment.
II was charged by Mr.. Green that
WORKOUT rifles. revolvers Of different
calibers, clothing of too large size.
and other supplies and equipment UNI
fitted for the guard had been issued.
He based his statements on informa-
ton he has received as to the issue of
supplies and equipment to the troops Of
his own State.
Startling statements were made by
Mr.. Green as to rifles. He said:
I'VE were told some time. ago-at least
1t appeared in the hearings.-that the
chief of ordnance stated we had about
10000 rifles. In good condition. ready 10
issue to the national guard. AS a
matter of fact. We find that we are DELI
Client In all kinds of equipment. and IN
ferior. owing to the fact that they have
been used so much as to affect their
efficiency, have been Issued in consider
able numbers to the national guard.
h y, 10 tVaf rel n n
authority, and l will give the names
II any gentlemen of the House SO de-
sire. These rifles have been found by
test to be practically worn out and not
capable Of accurate shooting.
Two Men in One Shirt.
sAnd this is not the only kind OF
equipment as to which deficient ma
terial has been issued. In this connec-
ton want to speak Of the size of the
underwear that was issued to the iowa
national guard, It being Of some UNI
usual. extraordinary sizes. such as
hardly any man could wear. so that
was Informed the soldiers got up some
sort of a mock parade and marched
around with two men in one shirt l
do not know how the quartermaster,s
department. or whatever department Is
responsible for 1t. obtained such goods.
but apparently there was fault in Its
selection.
There was also issued TO the cavalry
and other branches of the national
guard reyolyers and pistols Of different
caliber, something that. OF course. would
cause the greatest confusion and trou-
bio II they ever got into actual warfare.
"I do not speak OF these matters 30
much In criticism of the quartermaster' g
department. or any other. department,
because in this particular case. not
having had a mobilization for a great
many years. l suppose II Is inevitable
that some deficiencies should be ascer-
tanned. What l do object to. however,
Is statements continually appearing In
the newspapers here that the delays and
the deficiencies in the equipment or the
national guard is owing partly to Con-
gress and partly to the militia system
when neither Is responsible for any
thing of the kind.
Everyone In this House within the
sound of my voice. and anyone at all
Informed on this subject knows we
make the appropriation for the quarter
master department and the ordnance de-
partment and the other departments
that buy these supplies and control the
equipment, and that the buying OF these
supplies is entirely in the hands OF the
officers OF the regular army. Inc
method of obtaining equipment wouit
be Just the same. no matter how al
ditions we're made to our army Ih'
complaint. II any. should not be or TN
militia system but OF department
methods"