The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-13
PrObers Bare Gross Lack of
Armed Preparedness.
Get Down to Brass Tacks, They
Tell Ordnance Chief.
FUNDS AT HAND WEREN'T USED
Took Month After War Dec
Iaration to "Check Up"
Baker Held Up Machine Gun
Output Selecting Type.

Washington, Dec. 13.-Major Cen
eral Crozier chief of army ordnance,
testifying today before the senate
committee investigating war prepara-
tions, declared the responsibility for
delay in getting machine guns lay
personally with Secretary Baker. who
took charge of the tests between the
different types. Because of the ma
chine gun shortage, General Crozler
testified foreign troops were furnlsheQ
to the American troops abroad ana TO
troops in training at home.
Senators of the committee pressed
General Crozier vigorously for ex-
plantations of what he had been doing
when it was almost certain that war
would be declared and after 1t actual
" was declared.
The senators declared they wanted
specific information and not generali-
ties on the reported shortage OF rlnes-
General CroZier explained that there
was delay in changing the type but
contended it had been a beneficial one
and declared that any troops the gov
ernment was prepared to send 10
France could be equipped with rlhes
Immediately.
In your statement yesterday, salo
Chairman Chamberlain, you were
disposed to place responsibility for de-
lays on congress and the labor sltua-
ton, altho your first appropriation was
made in June, 1916, and some OF your
appropriations were still unexpehoeo
when war was declared.
WHY Wasn't 100 Million Used.
war was declared in April" SEN
ator Hitchcock interjected. When
did work actually begin for equipplng
the army2 1 think the committee
wants to know something specif1c-
The president was granted an emer-
gency fund of 800, 100000.
haf
were at war why did not we go to
war? Why is it. in the ninth month
of the war, that we find our men with
out clothing and equipment OF ord
nance? Why do our men over there
have to use French artillery"
General Crozier replied that work
to secure ordnance was begun before
war was declared, in anticipation OF
hostilities. He disclaimed placing
sole responsibility for delays upon
congress but said that he did not ask
any of the presidents $1oO,0OO,0OO
fund last August and that it was re-
turned unused.
THE effect of the war declaration
was to hasten our preparations" said
the ordnance chief. "Our first step
was to prepare estimates of appropri-
ations."
1916 Appropriations Unused.
"Why should that have taken any
great length of time?" asked Senator
Chamberlain. "Why did it take so
long after April 6 to make the esti-
mates? Isn't it a fact that most of the
1916 appropriations were still unex-
pended when war was declared?"
YES" General Crozier replied. "put
many orders against the appropria-
tions had been given. The delay was
a necessary accompaniment of our
methods of government which require
much checking and joint responsible
w tara1 ala 1fn II
tho actual expenditures were not
made until much later becouse of time
necessary in making ordnance. That
work takes a long time"
Turning to the presidents emer-
gency fund, Senator Hitchcock asked:
Congress hastily appropriated
500, 100000 without any restrictions.
That was more than ten months ago,
and now why do we find it was not
used?'
Il can't tell you that" General Gro
zier answered. Part was reserved
for certain particular purposes"
When did you first request the
president for any part of it?' asked
Senator Chamberlain.
-Four Months of "Red Tape"
Il think in August
That was four months after war
was declared, the chairman observed
What were you doing in the mean
time to prepare ordnance? %
Geenral Crozier replied that his bu-
reau had been making estimates, cata-
Logging possible manufacturers and
placing orders in anticipation of ap-
propriations.
THE committee wants to know. -
said Senator Hitchcock. Just what
was done in March, April and Nav.
What start was made?"
There was a tremendous start
made" General Crozier vigorously
replied. "A great many things were
DONE
Presumably every man in the
United States thought war Iikely.''
Senator Weeks suggested What
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