The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-12-15
ORDER SPEED
ON SUPPLIES
FOR PERSHING
acquisitions Of General and ADJ
miraI Sims Must B. Acted
Upon Day Received.
CR0zIER BEFORE COMMITTEE
Chief of Ordnance First to Be Cues
toned by Senate Military Body
in the Inquiry Into War
Department Activities.

Washington, Dec. 13.-MOre indica.
ton of the unreserved character of the
support put behind General Pershue
and Vice Admiral Sims by the govern.
ment came with the publication of the
following order, issued by Rear Ad-
miral MCGOWAN, chief of the bureau of
supplies and accounts of the navy, to
bis organization:
acquisitions, requests and recon-
mendations from Vice Admiral Sims,
senior naval officer in command in Eu-
rope, are to be acted upon the same
day they are received, and unless
there be some insurmountable obstacle,
IN exact agreement with his wishes:
that is to say: When | properly have
any discretion in the premises, it is to
be understood that that discretion has
already been exercised when Admiral
Sims wishes become known.
Advice Of action taken will be i'm
mediately cabled to Admiral Sims in
every case"
Somewhat similar steps have been
taken in the war department with re-
latl0n to recommendation from Gen
eral Pershing. An officer of the general
staff has been detailed to check up
every day on the progress being made
by any bureau with the filling of any
order. In addition a special commit
tee of the staff acts as priority board
to forward shipments.
81 sc tee Questions GET. Grozier.
3 - "a dssees:sgz- ~ u
nance first to be questioned, the senate
military committee began a general in
quiry into the work of the war depart
nent, step which, capitol leaders say,
Will prove the forerunner of an inves-
tigation of all phases of executive con-
duct of the war;
Similar Investigations, promised by
other senate and house committees, are
expected to accomplish in a measure
the purpose Of the proposed joint COM
mittee for "the conduct of the war"
This idea was abandoned last session
because of President Wilson'S oppo-
SitiOn
The senate military inquiry, to be
directed especially at the arming and
cquipping OF the nations man power,
WAS ordered by the committee Tues
day on reports the committeeman are
understood to have heard regarding
l. 11y Of Tlo thipt and In
army camps. Transportation of sol
diers and reports that they have been
crowded into trains and not properly
rationed, and contracts for building
environments and furnishing supplies
are other subjects on which the inves-
tigation will touch. General Crozier's
testimony was regarding ordnance
manufacture and supply.
Senator Chamberlain, chairman of
the committee, emphasized the fact
that the investigation is constructive
and not critical and will be directed
toward the correction Of extravaganza
or errors committed.
Officers Must Undergo Test.
Rigid investigation into the physical
and military preparedness of all regu-
lar army and National Guard general
officers is underway to determine their
fitness for service in France.
The examination, ordered by Secre-
tary Baker, is being made by medical
and efficiency boards and was deemed
necessary because of the Unusually
severe conditions of service in this
war;"
Early retirement or discharge of
some of the general officers is to be
expected as medical boards already
have reported against men in both the
regular and National Guard units.