The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-29
Government Was Forced
Later to Pay Soaring
Price For Supply
CONTRACTS FOR
UNIFORMS PROBED
Members of Defense COun-
Gil Controlled COmman-
deered Mill
fBy AssocIated Prsss1

Washington, Dec. -. - The
profitable scrap sorting contracts
IN connection with making OF army
uniforms, which testimony az the
senate committee Investigation OF
war activities has led into the COM
mtttees OF the council of national
defense, came up again at today's
hearing while Quartermaster Sharpe
was still under examination.
IL was developed that Samuel
kaplan, a member Of one OF the
supply committees. had protested
against cancellation OF a sorting
contract in which his brother was
interested. and il was further
developed that his brother was
treasurer OF the MilbroOk Mill Co.
owning one Of the Connecticut wool
en- mills commandeered by the gov
eminent
Senator McEellar asked whether
Emmanuel Kaplan. treasurer OF the
MillbrOOk Mill Co, was not a broth
er OF Samuel kaplan. a member OF n
supply committee. General Sharpe
said he thought so.
The other mill was the Thames
River Woolen Mills Both were
ordered 10 devote their machinery TO
government work, canceIling private
contracts.
Did you know that Samuel Kap-
Ian, OF the council OF national de-
fense, Is president and owns two-
thirds OF the stock of the MiIlbr0ok
company" asked Senator Mcclellan.
General Sharpe said he did not
Trench shortaus.
The alleged shortage OF motor
trucks, testified to yesterday by
General Greble. of Camp Bowie. came
up again today.
II Is not Intended. the quarter
master general said. 10 deliver motor
trucks 20 the training camps until
the troops get ready to go abroad.
The committee members expressed
surprise.
"How are the men going to set
experience in handling trucks" ask
ed Senator Hitchcock.
Il don't know" said General
Sharpe.
Those are the orders. think any
surplus not needed by General
Pershing should be sent to the train
ing camps"
Clothing Of Americas lighting men
was further investigated
Senator Weeks brought out that
on April 3, Boston wool dealers Of
fered all their wool TO the govern
ment at prevailing prices but the
nEIeE never EeMGheu 1&nETaA EuANW@s
being referred TO the general muni-
Lost S1so.oOo.oOo.
When orders were given 20 pre-
pare to clothe 100000 more men
Sharpe said, soaring prices. rather
than a shortage was the worst factor
In the situation.
Il was told by a responsible man
that the failure OF the government
to accept the Boston wool mems Of
fer Of April has cost the govern
ment $3.50. 600. said Senator
Weeks, "and / want TO find out who
is responsible for delay In its ac-
ceptRnce, and also who Is RESPONSE
BILE for delay in beginning purchases
], for one, am somewhat dismayed
by the length OF time IL takes In the
war department TO do things. Ap-
parently injection Of the council Of
national defense makes for further
delay"
General Sharpe said that IL the
Boston wool dealers offer Of April
3 had been accepted promptly IL
would have been very advantageous
as wool advanced after that" He
reiterated that the offer never reach
ed him, being referred by Secretary
Baker to the munitions board.