Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-27
WAR DEPT. URGED
TO GUT RED TAPE
Senate Committee Favors Giving
Soldiers Winter Clothing
at Once.
GEN, O'RYAN EXAMINED.
Tells Army Investigators That Tis Men
Are Equipped for Training hut
Not for Fighting.

Washington. Dec. 26.-First hand H.
formation about the equipment and train
ing of Americas fighting men in France
and in training camps was given the Sem
ate military committee by Major General
John F. ORyan, commanding the New
York National Guard division at Camp
Wadsworth, Spartansburg, s. c., recently
returned from an observation tour abroad.
Before the general took the stand the
committee on resuming it's investigation
of war preparations after a short Christ
mas recess sent to the war department a
resolution urging that immediate steps be
taken without regard to departmental r1u-
tine to supply deficiencies of winter
clothing to men in the camps. The action
was based upon late reports reaching the
committee as well as upon evidence heard
last week.
Most of General Organs testimony.
particularly that referring to conditions
at the front, was heard in executive
session. He was questioned for three
hours with the doors closed, but the pub
. lie was given an opportunity to hear him
for an hour during which he discussed
chiefly the situation at home. General
! Organ said his men were adequately
equipped for training, though not for
! fighting. and that he would like to see
| tnem nave TWO lnOTe UlOHtnS VI Training
before they went to the front He told
the committee that the great need of the
war was artillery. and recommended that
the troops abroad be supplied with win
ter clothing of heavier quality.
! Major-Generals William Wright and
| Edwin st. John Greble commanders at
| Camp Doniphan, Oklahoma and Bowie
| Texas, respectively. who also have been
abroad, will testify tomorrow if they
reach Washington in time. Otherwise
the committee will proceed with the ex-
animation Of Major-General Sharpe
acknowledgement in the inquiry into
the clothing, cantonment and transporta-
ton situations.
Mrs. Grace Humiston Of New York
who has investigated social conditions
at some Of the training camps and whose
published statements recently were de-
nounced by Secretary Baker, conferred
to-day with Chairman Chamberlain, whit
told her to send in a written statement
if she had any information to give the
committee.
GEN. O'RYAN'S TESTIMONY.
Blankets furnished the camps in thi
country. General Organ said at the pubi
hearing, do not seem to be Of as goot
quality as formerly, although there ha
been no formal complaint.
Generally speaking we have ampl
property of all kinds for training pur
poses." he said, but not enough for cam
paign."
His division is better equipped thai
others, General O'Ryan said, because O
earlier organization and the Mexican bor
der seRice.
Officers from reserve training camps
according to General O'Ryan had bee
found ''very satisfactory. jealous and in
terested. although lacking experience"
with your knowledge of condition
abroad do you think your division i
trained enough to go abroad?" asked Sena
tor Chamberlain.
It'd rather see them get another couDl
of months" General O'Ryan answered
THE training that General Pershing ha
established of accustOming men to she
fire Is very valuable"
"Do you think 1t possible for us too sur
ply too much artillery" askd Senate
Weeks.
mo. sir. it's not possible" Genera
O'Ryan replied.
| Senator Kirby asked how long broadl
speaking, inexperienced men should
trained before going into actual nghtin,
Roughly, a year should be the min
num-" said General Organ.
n Senator Chamberlain observed that
| distinguished American had said not yer
| long ago that a million men could
| raised over night.
What chance in this war would sue
| men have?" he asked.
] mo chance at ALL" General Organ al
: swered.
"All the officers over there said thel
is no get-rich-quiclS method to militar
u efficiency"