Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-12-17
u. s. ARMYE
WELL SUPPLIED
WITH CLOTHING
Such is Opinion Of g. N.
Gen. Sharpe When Told Of
Investigation.

Washington, Dec. 17.-Anticipating
a searching inquiry into his depart
ment by the enate committee on
military affairs, which is determined
to investigate thoroughly all delays
and defects in war preparations,
Quartcrmaster General H: g. Sharpe
issued "A statement declaring that
|; clothing supplies for the American
armies arc adequate at the present
time. hut that a few needs will depend
on proper deliveries by manufactur-
ers and adequacy of transportation:
General Sharpe admits that deAv-
cries III clothing supplies already are
far behind, delinquencies" on con
tracts varying from 6 to 4S Per cent
on different orders, but he blames
railroad congestion. Nothing is said
in his statement relating to food, con-
corning which the military affairs
committee proposes to inquire.
Criticism also has been made to
the senate committee referring to the
huge size of some of the quartermas-
teris material supplies, some of which
large as to arouse protest from Dig
men in Washington associated with
the work of war preparations.
Khaki Contract Protested.
For example, it is declared the
ouartermasters department insisted
on contracting for "a, 1000. 900 yards OF
Khaki cloth, IN order which staggered
all manufacturers and which several
officers of the government pronounced
ont Of proportion to the present needs
and requirements for some time TO
come. Other orders were said to be
Of like proportions. 80 great as TO
cause delay all along the line in get
ting manufacturers under way with
production of materials greatly need
ed. $50
The ru~arternaster general insists
that the army clothing situation, how
ever. is well in hand and thai there
are no shortages. His statement.
showing the extent Of contracts and
materials already delivered, h as fol-
lows:
Adequate supplies Of clothing have
been provided for all the men in the
service. Of the American armies n
If proper deliveries are made by
manufacturers and the transportamon
supply for all future needs is assured.
"Due to delays by manufacturers Of
materials and by. manufacturers OF
clothing and also by congested' rail-
road transportation, delivery de-
linuuencies, on contracts varionsty
range from 6 to 4s per cent.
Clothing Deliveries Behind.
"IOsDec. L, 1871, Tue Aoiio"luS ouP-
plies had been contracted for and de-
i~iveries made to the armies for imhe-
diate use:
BLANKETS contracted for. ,17,ss1,-
ss2; delivered, 5,s9o,236.
'Woolen cloth for o~vercoats con-
tracted for. 5,6s1,350 overcoats: de-
livered. 2.026,346 o~vercoats.
"Suits of winter underwear con-
tracted for, 1~5,43l-021 drawers and
%12.S26,S24 undershirts; delivered,
s.542.16 drawers and 4.3ot,343 I'M
dershirts.
"Woolen cloth for uniforms con-
tracted, for 35,155,os1 yards: deliver
cd. 10.a90,s07 yards made mp into h
s34.a67 hreeches and 2,37s611 ooets.
"Wnolen cloth for shirts contracted
for 35.155,os1 yards: delivered a.
9ao,205 yards. made N into 5,sT6,-
444 shirts.
Shoes contracted for, Fl, M, s12
pairs: delivered. s%,525.2es pairs.
Hats contracted for, S,092 OIL; de-
livered, 3,554,091."
Quartermaster General Sharpe will
he summoned by the senate military
: affairs committee after its inquiry in
to the conditioner ordnance supplies
has been concluded.