The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-13
ORDNANCE CHIEF
is QUESTIONED
BY A COMMITTEE
OF THE SENATE
Delays and Deficiencies In
Supplying Army Ex-
planned in Detail
CROZIER DEFENDS
WORK OF OFFICE
Faces Lengthy Cross-ex-
animation on Lack of
Preparedness
(Ry Associated PrnsaN

(Ry Associated Press.l
Washington, Dec. 13.-Major GEN
eral Crozier, chief Of army ordnance,
testifying today before the senate
committee investigating war prepar-
ations, 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
machine gun shortage, General Gro
zier testified, foreign guns were fur
nished to the American troops
abroad and to troops in training at
home.
Senators of the committee pressed
General Crozier vigorously for ex-
plantations of what he had been do
ing when it was almost certain that
war would be declared and after IL
actually was declared. The senators
declared they wanted specific InfOr-
nation and not generalities on the
reported shortages OF rifles. General
Crozier explained that there was a
delay in changing the type but con-
tended 1t had been a beneficial one
and declared that any troops the
was prepared 10 send TO
France could be equipped with riries
Immediately,
Washington, Dec. 13.-Delays and
deficiencies in supplying the war
army with ordnance were detailed
and explained yesterday by Major
General Crozier, chief OF ordnance, 10
che senate military committee at The
beginning OF the general inquiry
planned by congress into the conduct
OF the war.
The initial hearing was public and
will be continued with General Cro-
zier on the stand. Later executive
sessions will be held for discussion Of
subjects involving military secrets.
There Is a shortage of ordnance at
home for training purposes, Gem
eraI Crozier admitted, but he said
there was no shortage ION the other
side and will be nome" "It has been
possible" he said, ito purchase Eng
fish and French artillery for use in
Europe, and he predicted that by
next summer the principal ordnance
shortages for training purposes
would be met.
Delays in supplying ordnance, Gen
eral Crozier explained, have been
due to several causes, including time
taken for considering estimates and
before congress and
labor differences in private plants
He said there Is no shortage of skill
ed munition labor in this country
and told of a plan TO retain such Ia
Dor, which may be submitted to con-
gress.
The Emergency Fund.
Turning TO the Presidents
emergency fund, Senator Hitchcock
Congress hastily appropriated
800, 100000 without any restrictions,
that was more than ten months ago,
and now why do we find 1t was not
used?"
T can't tell you that" General
Crozier answered. Part was re-
served for certain particular pur-
poses"
WHEN did you first request the
President for any part Of it?" asked
Senator Chamberlain.
Il think In August"
Four Months Delay.
THAT was four months after war
was declared" the chairman observ-
ed. What were you doing in the
to prepare ordnance?"
General Crozier replied that this
bureau had been making estimates,
possible manufacturers
and placing orders in anticipation Of
appropriations.
"The committee wants to know"
said Senator Hitchcock; "iust what
was done in March. April and May,
what start was nader"
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 likely"
Senator Weeks suggested. What
were made before the
actual declaration?"
General Crozier repeated his state-
ment regarding advance orders.
manufacturers census work ana in
creases in designing and drafting
forces. He said orders were placed
against $4,000. 900 TO 500, 900. 900 ap-
previously authorized,
IN the summer and fall OF 1916.
When Senator Weeks inquired
when deliveries were made upon
those orders, General Crozier said
some materials had not, yet been de-
livered.
1T takes a long time to make
artillery" he explained.
Does IL take foreign countries
that long?" asked Senator Hitch
cock.
Lapse Of Seven Years.
General Crozier replied in the
Affirmative, saying that from the
time OF a new ordnance design IN
Germany until its issuance TO troops
there Is q lapse OF seven years.
ABut in view OF the tremendous
emergency couldn't we have used
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