The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-26
ARMY SUPPLY INQUIRY.
CLOTHING NOT SHORT. DE-
CLARES GEN. SHARPE.
Early Trouble Caused by Calling
More Men Than Supplies Would
Outfit.

icdn army were investigated To-Day by
the senate military committee, turn
ing its general inquiry into war
generals department. 1t was de-
veloped that millions of dollars were
spent just before the United States
entered the war to provide for the
great army since raised.
Major Gen. Sharpe, Quartermaster
general, now q member of the new
war board for an hour of the time
answered confidential questions be-
hind closed doors Except for over
coats and a few other winter gar
ments. Of which he stated, complete
stocks will be in camp December 81,
the general declared there is no
clothing shortage.
! Shoes. also, Gen. Shape said, have
been provided in ample quantities per
capita, but the average drafted man
OF the national army has proved to be
so much larger physically than the
regulars and guardsmen with whom
the department. has had to deal in
the past that many of the shoes and
overcoats as we'll have proved useless
Manufacture of the smaller sizes have
been stopped. but the situation re-
suited in some hardships for the
draft soldiers before it could be cor
rected.
or food Gen. Sharpe stated, and the
committeeman assented it has been
ample and of fine quality No COM
plants regarding food, he said, had
been received.
Committee members stated tonight
that investigation of questions relat-
ed to the quartermaster generals Of
cfc had only begun with todays
hearing. Cantonment locations and
contracts, sanitation the relation Of
the winter clothing shortage to re-
cent disease epidemics and transporta
tfon or the army by rail and water are
subjects to be taken up later.
Further inquiry was postponed
over Christmas. however, Gen. Sharpe
being excused until next Wednesday
Tomorrow the committee will return
briefly to ordnance problems by ex-
amining Col. Isaac Lewis inventor OF
the Lewis machine gun.
Gen. Sharpe told in detail Of the
vast task of supplying the expanded
war army. He said he authorized
thirty-day service equipment for L.
100000 men in June. Orders aggre-
eating many millions OF dollars were
placed before the war without au-
thorization of dollar by congress.
Ey December 81, the general said
complete supplies for 1,O7S,OoO men
would be on hand.
Explaining how the supply situa-
ton delayed the draft. he told of the
departments desire to call out all of
the ';' 900 men in September, until
he would be impossible to
equip en-. He recommended an
initial call Of 100, 900 men: more than
100000 were called. although the de-
partment knew clothing supplies
would be somewhat short.
Reports reaching the committee O
men freezing their ears at Camp Gus
ter, Mich, and Of shortages Of winter
overcoats, other clothing and shoes
at both Camp Custer and Camp Lee
Virginia, caused the general to say he
would inquire into conditions immedi.
ately by telegraph.
The part played by the advisory
commission Of the Council of Nation
III Defense in the letting of army
contracts was rigidly inquired into by
the committee. Some of the senator's
insisted that the quartermaster gem
eral virtually has been denuded Of
power in placing contracts or fixing
prices but Gen. Sharpe said this was
not true, and that civilian commit
tees to cooperate were absolutely es-
sential He suggested modification Of
the present plan along lines similar
to the English system.
There was much questioning about
''red tape" in the war department.
Gen. Sharpe said he had suggested
changes to Secretary Baker to secure
modern business methods"
Regarding the present army ration
which Gen. Sharpe said. costs 40
cents day, as compared with 2S
cents before the war. he declared
that it's success in building up men
to go over the top has been dem
onstrated, and he protested against
agitation from the surgeon generals
Office for reduction of it's meat and
sugar content to save money