The Coconino sun., 1917-05-11
THE WAR HORSE WILL
 BE IN GREAT DEMAND
Comprehensive View of What Will Be Needed in Heavy and Light Classes to Equip Army of Million
 Men For Uncle Sam
(By Wayne Dinsmore, Sec. Perch eron Society of America)

the immediate preparation and equip ment of an army of at least million men in 1917. All preparations are being made for a war that will last three years, for regardless of what civilization may think, army officials do not expect an early ending of the war into which the United States has been drawn.
 The requirements of cavalry, in- fantry and artillery regiments in horses and mules are set forth in letter just received by the writer from the War Department, Washing ton, D. C., to be as follows:
 Cavalry Regiment-1,541 horses, 152 draft mules, 29 pack mules, 6 riding mules.
 Infantry Regiment-69 riding horses, 112 draft mules, 25 pack mules, 6 riding mules.
 Artillery Regiment-1,0 ,097 horses, SS draft mules, riding mules.
 These are minimum requirements, and do not take into account trans portation trains required to forward supplies from terminal points to field bases, in other words, the number of animals specified above refer only to those actually needed with the troops.
 The war strength of regiment of infantry is approximately 1,500 men; of a regiment of cavalry approximat- ely 1900 men; of regiment of artil- lery consisting of six batteries of four guns each approximately LAG men. While definite information as to the proportion of infantry, cavalry and artillery to be included in the new army is not yet forthcoming, it is generally understood among army officials that an artillery battery of four guns will be allowed for each 1000 infantry. It seems probable therefore that the first one million men placed under arms by the United States will be equipment of 500 regi- ments of infantry, totaling 750,0O0 men, 125 regiments of artillery total ing 143, ,250 men, and 100 regiments of cavalry totalling 130,000 men, making a grand total of little over 1000, ,000 men. The proportion of artillery cer- tainly will not be less, and may be more, as actual warfare on European battle fields has demonstrated that overwhelming superiority in the artil- lery branch of the service is essential to efficient operation by the infantry.
 It may be argued that there is no probability that the United States will prepare 100 regiments of cavalry, but in view of the danger from the Mexican situation, it appears to be the belief of we'll informed army officers that at least that many cavalry regi- ments will be provided for in this years mobilization.
 To equip 800 regiments of infantry will require 34,500 riding horses, 56,- 900 draft mules, 12,500 pack mules, and 5000 riding mules. 125 regiments of artillery will require 137,025 horses, 10000 draft mules, and 300 riding mules. The equipment of 100 regiments of cavalry will necessitate 154,000 horses, 15,200 draft mules, 2,O0O pack mules, nda 600 riding mules. The total number therefore required for the equipment of 800 regiments of infantry, 125 of artil- lery, and 100 of cavalry, will amount to 325,625 horses and 100,700 mules.
 The army has at present only TO- 900 head of horses and mules. This means that approximately 350,00O head of horses and mules must be bought within the next six months. No information has yet been received from the army authorities in regard to how the purchase of these horses and mules will be made. In the judg- ment of experienced horsemen, how ever, the purchase-of so large num- Der of horses and mules within the limited time available can best be ,ac-- complished by setting definite price to be paid by the army for the differ ent. animals that will pass inspection for their respective classes, and by establishing ten or fifteen inspection points, where horses and mules may be rendered for inspection. This win permit dealers, large or small, or every farmer, to consign their horses directly to inspection points with de- finite information in regard to what they will obtain for them if they pass inspection. There seems to be no good reason why the producers of horses should not be permitted to sell them directly to the Government, if they pass inspection, instead of being obliged to sell them through some in- teryening contractor. 1t is earnestly