Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-12-19
tsr MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED WIRE,


Washington, Dec. 1S.--The con-
gressional inquiry into army war
preparations broadened today with the
senate military committees decision
| to hear private manufacturers of ord.
| nance and ammunition tomorrow and
| to delve into the clothing, Cantonment
building, food and transportation sit.
uation Friday by examining Major
| General Sharpe, quartermaster gen,
eral.
| From Representative Mccormick Of
| Illinois, who recently visited the Eu-
| ropean battle front, the committee
heard statements In executive session
today tending to contradict testimony
Of Major General Crozier, chief Of
ordnance, regarding adequacy of Gen
eral Pershing's equipment, especially
heavy artillery Mr.. Mccormack said
neither the British nor the French had
enough artillery and that they wer3
supplying Pershing only because the
| Americans were still worse off
Confirmation Postponed.
AS the result of the charges of de-
lays and shortages in the ordnance
outfitting. the senate Just before adj
journment for the holidays, indefi-
nitely postponed action on the nomi-
nation of General Crozier for reap
poiptment. The nomination was
brought up by Chairman Cham berlain
of the military committee which had
unanimously recommended his con
firmation. Several senator's, incud-
ing committee members, objected to
immediate action, sharply criticising
General CroZier, and Senator Cham
berlain agreed that 1t was advisable to
postpone action until the results Of
the investigation were fixed.
Evidence supporting General Cro-
zier's statement regarding prospects of
increased production of ordnance was
given to the committee today by Sam
uel Vauclain, vice president of the
Baldwin Locomotive company and Il
member of the civilian advisory COM
mittee of the war industries board in
charge of ordnance supply.
Equipment on Way.
He stated that with equipment OF
many factories which had never be-
fore engaged in making ordnance the
supply would be adequate in tht fu-
ture to equip the American forces He
cited comparative production figures
of American and British factories in
making rifles and small and heavy
artillery and declared American pro-
duction Is greatly on the increase.
Representatives of the Colt, Rem.
ington and other munitions manufac-
n N he IN,
and Thursday, General Sharpe on
Friday and Col. Isaac Lewis, inventor
of the Lewis machine gun, on Satur.
day.
Committee members say it is prob.
able that in addition to inquiring into
contracts and past and future ammu-
milton deliveries the committee will
seek causes for recent explosions in
ammunition plants.
In statement issued tonight Rep
resentative Mccormick said neither
France nor Italy had any artillery to
spare.
Allies Short of Guns.
''The British" said Mr. Mccormick,
who. in proportion to their front,
have more guns by far than either OF
their wstern allies, according to their
chief military authorities, will not
have guns enough until next spring.
The guns which the French give us.
they give us because tRe immediate
necessities of our little army in France
are even greater than their own
General Petain said to me: Mako
guns. Send us guns and ammunition
rather than steel billets. We are
grateful for the little force you have
sent u.s. The echo of its footballs
carried hope to every hearth in
France, but as it grows there must be
a period when we shall be taxed to
supply it. While its numbers slowly
increase, you Americans, who are
great industrial peopl must see tina,
this war is an industry of destruction.
You will understand how urgent il ia
to send us guns middle heayies and
shells, in order that we may be armed
to win victories and to defend our.
selves so that some of us may be alive
to fight by your side when at last
is ready"
Italians Not Supplied.
''The Italian army" Mr.. Mccormick
continued, had something less than
one-quarter as many guns as the Brit
ish and French armies combined al.
though there was no great difference