The Hawaiian gazette., 1917-06-05
lack EQUIPMENT,
] FOR THE new ARMY
Army Officers Believe II VIII Be
October First Before the
Men Get Started

4 WASHINGTON, May 1s-Tbat it
will be nearer October than septem-
Der when the work of training the
new army created under the selectiye
service law is begun was the opinion
expressed here today by United States
army officers, who discussed the un-
expected announcement made by Sec.
rotary Of War Baker, that none Of
the new troops could be put in train
ing comps before September 4. Army
officers assert that the necessary equip
ment cannot be obtained until 0cto.
Der ]. s.+ls ,ra III
In appearing before the military af.
fairs committee in support Of the Sc
lection bill, which was made law to-
day by the signature Of President Will
son, Secretary Baker stated that Il
would take year to equip the first
force called to the Colors, and even
then IL would lack much of the heavier
equipment, such as machine guns and
feld-pieces. II became known today
that the war department does not en-
pect to have all the national guard
troops in training until after August
5, and that the work of preparing for
the new selected army of 100000 men
cannot be taken up until after that.
II u the plan Of the department to
train, all the national guard organiza.
tions in southern environments because
of advantageous climatic conditions. Z
Temporary Barracks
Before the training Of the troops or
ganized under the Selective Service
Act can begin in the North, temporary
barracks must be constructed to house
the men, because when they begin their
work winter viii not be far Off Six
hundred million feet Of lumber, costing
$4,000, 900, must be contracted for, de-
livered aud converted into quarters and
camp buildings before the work is un-
dertaken. "''#
Regardless of the great amount OF
work that has been done, il was learned
today from the lumber experts ON the
special COMMITTEES of the council Of ma.
tional defense, created to handle this
sftuation, only one small contract has
been let, and the war department. has
not yet advised the committee where il
proposes 10 establish les sixteen orftflir-
ty-two enormous training camps, Be
cause of that failure, Il has been impos-
sible TO estimate or contract for the de-
livery of lumber, because il has been
impossible TO ascertain which source of
supply would be most accessible. Ra
Only One Contract NJ ahd <
The only contract that has actually
been awarded for environments, despite
the fact il has been known for long
time that the United States must sup
ply an army of 100000 men at the
earliest possible date, is for 900, 900 feet
of lumber to add to the buildings at
Fort Riley, Kansas. "Htt &" 4'T
Prank AZ Scott, chairman of the spe-
eial munitions board Of the council for
national defense, has made a formal
statement in which he declares that the
United States can now supply rifles for
an army of 100000 and that il can
turn out Enfield rifles in this country,
chambered for American ammunition,
faster than troops con be raised. The
war department has not disclosed in
just what particulars It is crippled in
Supplying the NECESSARY forces in the
field, and il is expected that the crit
cism which was directed at the depart.
ment in a fye-hour executive session
this week Is but the beginning of a con
gtessional attack ofllaFge proportions.
| iT'FE. Y --a.H