Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-12
WAR DELAYS
TQLDSENATE
PROBE HEADS
General crozier Explains
Why Equipment Moves
Jagged.

WdeHlistotis OeG. 1..-tUIuiEf
by congress into the general con-
duct of the war was begun today
with Investigation by the senate
military committee of the war de-
partment's work in arming and
equipping the American forces.
Major General Cr0zier, chief of
ordnance. said an obstacle in the
early work was that the military
policy defined in the national de-
tense act of 1916 contemplated
force OF one million men to be
raised in five years.
1T is apparent" he said, that the
original program for one million men
did not contemplate our participation
in the war We compressed the five
year program into one year when it
Immediately became apparent that the
one million program would not do"
Preparation of estimates and actual
appropriation by congress, the general
said, caused further delay
Cause OF Si0wness.
I'VE did everything we could" he
continued, ito get the manufacturing
establishments of the country going
on orders in anticipation of appropria-
tons. One obstacle was that the
many manufacturers did not care tc
spend money or could not secure loans
in advance Of actual appropriations
That caused very considerable delay
! There also were delays under the alb
normal purchasing system necessary
without time for competitive bidding
| in many cases"
Referring TO the cost plus ten pc
cent" contracts, Generals Crozier salt
the system had worked out fairi,
well. But it is not as good as whel
prices are definitely fixed" he said
at is better to use that only in cas-
of emergency.
Refused Fixed Piece Contracts.
Some manufacturers would no
7 take fixed price contracts at ALL" Gen
eral Crozier said They would no
take the risk except with a profit OF
a percentage basis. They had hal
their fingers burned. No orders 10
rifles We're made at a fixed price
manufacturers wouldn't take tn
orders"
Upon inquiry by Senator Wads
worth, General Crozier said that earl
in the war the president had aIlotte
$35,000,000 of his $40 1900. 900 emergenc
fund to the war department and tina
emergency orders for material ha
been given
Senator Asks Questions.
| Senator Wadsworth asked if an
precautionary steps were taken be
fore the war declaration. There wa
a good deal of thinking and discussio
done" said the general I'VE prepare
for sudden expansion and did all W
, could. We have been kept back b
shifting of labor, by men changin
employment so often, attracted b
higher wages or living condition
! England has law prohibiting me
. from leaving munition work withol
! permission. We would require lei
islation to accomplish that I do N
find an actual shortage of munitioI
: labor needed in this country. "
: haven't taken men into the militar
|, service to create a shortage"
/, will the American army be able
supply itself with sufficient artillery
asked Senator Reed
THE indications are that we will
able, with the assistance of Englar
, and France" General Crozier reptile
: I'VE are short of artillery for trainir
: purposes. but we are not short on Il
other side. and will not be-"
, How long will it take to catch t
! on this side?" Senator Reed queried
I'VE will be fairly we'll caught |
! on the most important things by ne.
{ summer"
Has Plan for Congress.
That he has plan prepared to su
nit to congress, with Secretary B.
i ker's consent, to deal with munitio'
: labor questions, was stated by Gei
eral Crozier, but he declined to reve
y its scope.