The Washington herald., 1917-12-14
ordnance situation.
How 1t Happened.

How Ii Happened.
Pending the outcome of the probe
into War Department affairs the Sem
ate probably VIII refrain from con-
firming the denomination Of Gen. Gro
zier as Chief OF Ordnance.
His denomination was sent to the
Senate by President Wilson while the
general was being grilled by the SEN
ate Military Affairs Committee on
shortages of ordnance equipment.
The action of Gen. CrOZier in sad
Cling responsibility on Secretary
Baker was spectacular climax in
yesterdays hearing before the Senate
committee. 1t came thus:
Senator Chamberlain-I am not sat
isfied with your explanation of the de-
lay in getting the machine guns.
Gen. CroZier-I am not satisfied my
self.
Senator Chamberlain-Who is re-
sponsible?
Gen. Crozier-The Secretary of War.
The responsibility is with him II had
10 be upon some one and he is respon-
sible for the machine gun tests. The
program was not that of the Ordnance
Department. .-nsr
Declaring that he could not go into
details in public, Secretary Baker in
sisted later that the supply OF small
arms, machine guns, machine rifles
and cannon will be adequate for the
men by the time they reach France.
He further intimated that the sup,
plies are adequate at the, training
camps for training purposes
1t is perfectly true that l am re-
sponsibie for everything that goes on
in the War Department" he said.
Every manufacturing facility in the
-nited States capable of making ma
chine guns is now turning them out
at its full capacity"
Now Being Increased.
Mr. Baker was asked whether this
capacity was sufficient to meet re-
quirements. He did not answer this
question, but said: The facilities are
being rapidly increased"
The secretary characterized a re-
port that the War Department had
purchased $50 Lewis machine guns as
way below the actual number. About
this number of Lewis guns were puT-
chased at the time of the Mexican
mobilization and. Indicated that thou-
sands more of these weapons had
since been purchased or contracted
for.
As to the Browning gun. he said
IT was the invention of the American
who has made more inventions. Of
fire arms than any other" Mr.. Ba-
ker admitted that the piece had never
been tested in actual field service
and that it has only recently been
available in quantities.
Mr. Baker made it clear that he
would prefer to have unjust criti-
cism. as to adequacy of supplies.
stand against the department. rather
than to have information of value
TO the enemy made public .....
what Was Learned.
1t was brought out at the hearing
that:
Although s2,ON.OOo was sppropri-
ated for machine guns in August.
1916. no gun was adopted until June,
1877. -.
That none of these guns has reach
cd either the Pershing expedition or
the training camps; that none will be
delivered until April. 1918.
Rifle production has decreased from
10000 daily in March to 5000 daily.
That the Browning machine gun
finally adopted has never been tried
in action.
It was developed that 76S light guns
are needed for a division and 224
heavy ones. For an army of 1000, COO
men TO.OCO or 5000 are necessary.
The French Chauchat gun will be
manufactured here and American
Ammunition useu until the Brownings
are ready. so the testimony ran. At
CONTINUED on PAGE TWO.