Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-14
CR0ZIER PLACES
BLAME ON BAKER

pal cause of delay. General Crozier ex-
planned.
I'm your statement yesterday" said
Chairman Chamberlain, you were dis
posed TO place responsibility for de-
lays on Congress and the labor si,ua-
ton, although your first appropriation
was made in June. 1916, and some OF
your appropriations were still uncx-
pended when war was declared
DEMAND 10 KNOW WHY
EQ UIPMENT Is STILL LACKING
War was declared in April" Sena :
tor Hitchcock intcrjccted. when did
work actually begin for eruipping the
army? | think the committee wants
TO know something specific Tho Pres
ident was granted an emergency fund
Of 3iO0.000.00o. Why wasn't that used ?
III we were at war. why didn't We go to
war: why is ii. I'm the ninth month
OF the war that we find our men with
out clothing and equipment or ord J.
nance? Why do our men over there
have to use French artillery?'
General Crozier replied that work to
secure ordnance was begun before war
WAS declared. in anticipation OF hos
ttlities. lie disclamed placing sole
responsibility for delays upon Congress,
but said that he did not ask for any
OF the Presidents sloO.O00,0oO fund
ulftil last August, and that II was re-
turned unused
The effect of the war declaration
WIS TO hasten our preparations" said
The ordnance chief. Our first stcp was
20 prepare cstimatcs OF appropria-
tons"
Why should that have taken great
length or timer" asked Senator Cham
eerlain. Why did II take so long
AFTER April to make the estimates?
ISN'T II fact that most Of the 1916
appropriations are still unexpended
when war was declared"
Yes" General Crozier replied. but
many orders against the approprIa.
IONS had been given. The delay was
necessary accompaniment of our meth
Gus OF government. which require much
checking and Joint responsibility We
had oeen placing orde-s. although ac-
.nal expenditures were not made untf,
n'uch iater, because of time necessary
In making ordnance. That work takes
long time"
PREPARATIONS WE'RE BEGIN
LONG nEFORE WAR DECLARATIONS
Turning to the Presidents c,oor-
congress hastily appropriated 500.
100000. withou, any restriction. ,ha+
WA" more than ten months ago. and
now why do we find it was no, used?"
Il cant tell you that" General GRO
zior answered. Part was reserved for
certain particular purposes"
When did you first reoucs, tho
President, for any part Of it?" asked
Senator Chamberlain.
- think in August"
General Crozicr replied tina. in tho
meantime. after war WAS declared his
bureau had been making estimates
ch'alogins possible manufacturers and
placing orders in anticipation of an
preparations.
What was done in March. ADr;l and
May? What start WAS madc?" asked
Senator Hitchcock.
There WAS a tremendous sto-,
made, General Crozier vigorously re-
phch ~ Great many things were
~" hat preparations, were made be-
asse 'hess c'r"I declaration ?'@ sena or
Genera Croz!er repeated his statc
iHeHt regarding advance orders. mann
'hS'HfihS "enSns work aad increase.
i" u"SieninG and drafting forces. Hs
Na'h "ri"r% we're placed against son !.
''p''p" 10 sioo.ooo.ooo. appropriations
previously authorized. IN the .ur,p,c-
arH fall OF 1916
NGNE NhTEHIALS
STILL UNDELIVERED
men senator Weeks inu,i;rcd who,
'n''rerHes were made upon tlIos. o--
'sfS' General Crozicr said some ma
'"ria!s had NOT yet htcn delivered
IL takes long time 10 make mr.
ioer"." lie explained.
i'oes 1t take foreign countries thu,
-s"HE asked Senator Hitchcock.
EZRA! troI;cr replied in the AFR
o"'Ne' saying that from the time of ,
ne" ordnance design in GERMANY until
us ISSUANCE TO troops there is a Ians.
OF seven years.
"Eut in view OF the tremendous
emergency couldn't we have used
British or French dcsirns?" asked SEN
ator Hitchcock.
We could and did" General Croxier
answered. TO a very considerable ey.
tent :. -.
Il don't want generali,ics," Senator
Hitchcock pressed.
Tho time has come when we onc,f
70 hhoW Just what has been done
mere is Il feeling and many reports
lna' We nave been behind unduly de-
'ayed. Although Congress provided
ample money promptly there are MANY
olhcers' soino in high command, who
nave told many Senators that there
has Dcen an awful delay in MANY
things that ought to have been pro-
Hided in advance"
SHOULD HAVE BEGUN
WORK Two YEARS AGO
ihey have been provided for. but
not in time in some cases" General