New-York tribune., 1917-12-22

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2l. Without
waiting for Congressional sppropris-
tions the War Department authorized
orders for clothing equipment for l.
100000 troops before the United States
went 20 war. Il was brought out to-
day in the testimony Of Qusrtermaster
General Henry G. Sharpe before the
Senate Military Committee.
The committee investigating the sup
plying Of troops went particularly to-
day into the cause for the shortage IN
clothing.
Secretary Baker. General Sharpe said.
authorized orders for clothing and
other supplies for the million men just
before the war declaration, and in June
spproved orders TO equip another 5Oo'-
600.
The only complaints of supply short
age received by the department nave
been in respect 10 clothing, General
In an Introductory statement dealing
With the Mexican border mooilizatloh'
General Sharpe said the orohehoo
equipment ordered with SecTe.His
Bakers approval was the regu!aa!.loh
thirty days supply, inc luding clo'nIhs' 1It =
La4s shoes tentage and animals. This
supplv. he explained, was expected u
last two TO three months.
Ordered Equipment
oI, February" he said, anticipating
nrobable trouble, we ordered full equip
Tnent. AZ war strength, for the reeuIai
army of 100000 men, and late IN MSISh TN
when war seemed more imminent, tno
secretary authorized orders for equip
ment for 100000 more men .uor
"Before war broke out got auVhoI-
itv for another 100000, and IN june loi
These orders, he explained, were
aauthorized made without funds ana IN
anticipation OF Congressional appro-
Senator McKellar inquired whether
the Council of National Defence ha1
not in effect. taken over virtually al
yyoTk in connection with placing oroers ,
for clothing. General Sharpe replled
that ali contracts and prices were SUP,
;ect IN the departments final approval
onS tbat the civilian board only hau
assisted in preliminary negotaVio"''
1t Came Too Soon
Much clotbinc was furnished ahead
of time. General Sharpe said. ~ was
planned 10 supply 100000 men oy JuiS
I'd enough supplies for $4,000 addl-
tional actually were delivered, he as
serted. ,,,;,
After plans we're made TO equip
100 600 men a month, General Sharpe
said The plans were changed ana an
additional burden was imposed oy the
decision TO send men abroad, requiring
more clothing. -. = .4o4p
he said. that it would take until pe-
cember 81 70 gather enough equipment
for a million men" H.
Senator Frelinghuysen took up the
question of quality OF the american
army clothing. ..aord of
our uniform is inferior TO the Euro
nean ," ne asked. isn't II Il per cent
less in wool thickness than the BRIT
I General Sharpe replied that the
British use heavier cloth.
"Isn't the American clothing insult
able TO trench work." asked Senator
NO. said General Sharpe. 1--WE
asked General Pershing If any changes
were needed, and he wants 70 buy
100000 uniforms Of our quallty over
there. lie has suggested only that
snirsl nuttees be substituted-for
trench work only. He wants change
i'm the hats and has heightened the
gloves. He SAYS the underwear and
socks are all right. The oyercoat mas
been shortened slightly, TO allow freer
sction and sGckers have been substi-
tuted for ponchos."
Never Blocked by Defence Council
"Have YOU ever been interfered with
bv the Council OF Defence or other IN
terested persons in making contracts
asked Senator Frelinghuysen
General Sharpe said no. He insisted
that the departments function In max
ing and approving contracts is not
merely formal. The council, he SAID
selects manufacturers and makes
prices, but department ohieer sits
with the council in negotiating con-
tracts. 81,
1Wasn't Il necessary 70 call in civil
ian advisers 10 get production = asked
Chairman Chamberlain.
ain my opinion, il was" said General
sharpe, adding that an organization
similar 70 the council is necessary, but
that il should be modified along the
British system.
"But our boys IN camp are still cold
because this system. taking over your
powers, has failed?" said Senator Nc
Kellar.
"We haven't had enough supplies be-
cause Of the way troops have been
called" General Sharpe rejoined. add
ing that between 45 and so per cent
of American looms are engaged on
army work. lie said the department
had felt il could equip only l,07s,000
men by December J..
And we will have l,350,O00 men in
camp by that time" said Senator
Hitchcock. What is 20 become OF the
others?"
General Sharpe said that by speed