New-York tribune., 1917-12-22
Clothes For Million Men
Ordered Before War Began

ing up production it was hoped that
virtually all would be clothed COM
pletely by December 81.
Late deliveries were blamed by Gen
erel Sharpe for overcoat and snort coat
shortages. He insisted that there is
no shoe shortage.
Senator Hitchcock, reading from the
quartermaster generals annual report,
said IL appeared that 100000 over
coats were on hand and only 100000
men in service.
General Sharpe said that his report
showed orders, but that many had not
been delivered by factories.
General Sharpe said that numerically
an overcost had been furnished for
every man in camp, but that many
sizes were too small.
The same trouble was found in sup
plying shoes. ~
Senator Wadsworth cited an incident
regarding shortage Of proper shoe
sizes. At Camp Custer, on December
10. he said. only one-half Of detail
could march to target practice and
when they returned their shoes were
taken off and put on the other half,
which then marched 10 the range.
Shoes Much Too Small
Senator Weeks said that a shoe
manufacturer told him that so per cent
Of the men in one camp were wearing
shoes one-half TO three sizes too small.
Shoe sizes and widths were changed,
General Sharpe said, about month
ago.
Senators Hitchcock and Chamberlain
said il seemed there was too much de
lay in the order.
isn't that long time-from August
70 Noyember-before taking action IN
supplying the proper kind of shoes"
asked Senator Hitchcock. Senator Cham
berlain said il appeared that depart
ment "red tape" making TRANSMISSION
of business through the adjutant gen.
erals Office necessary. was largely re-
sponsible. ~.
"This is Just another instance that
we have been discovering" Senator
Chamberlain sharply interlected, of
delays in action in the department pc
cause. of the long route that things nave
20 take there" IL hoo,
General Sharpe said there hao oeen
delays of two and three days IN ms
rcceiyt Of kilograms through the au-
jutant general. .Lo
In one very critical matter tneFe
was delay of four days, ne salu'
"Vave YOU ever suggested cutting out
.b;s roundabout method ?" asked Sena-
tor Chamberlain.
eyes, sir; to the Secretary "e"ei"'
Sharpe said. -. uor
General Sharpe said the new war
Council appointed by Secretary BAKER
would study the question OF lh'erhai
business methods. non.
"Tbe way correspondence goes
,brouch " General Sharpe continued
SIS not good business method.
"N;o man on the outside can directly
ornnnicste with me-" he explained,
@witbout going through the adIutaht
ooneral and | cannot communicate
Sitb the chief Of staff without my
correspondence going through the
same Office"
Drafted Men Outnumber Uniforms
Reyerting to clothing the drafted
men. General Sharpe said the depart
ment planned TO call all Of the 6S7,Ooo
drafted men in September, but that
he demonstrated it would be impos-
sible to clothe them and he recon.
mended that only 100000 be called
then. but that As per cent were finally
Then, instead of following your
recommendation, they called over 3OO,-
600" asked Senator Wadsworth.
"Yes," said the witness.
"Wasn't that partly responsible Tor
clothing not being in all the camps T.
"Undoubtedly," said the witness. III
was all thoroughly understood--that
We would be somewhat short OF cloth
ing and that some would have TO drill
for time in civilian clothing"
"Was it a mi,take, then, to call out
the 30O,O0O?" asked Senator Wads-
worth.
.'No. | would have done the same
thing myself" said General Sharpe
emphatically, reserying. his reasons 10
be disclosed in executive session.
General Sharpe IN general state
ment pointed out that without TECH
nical authority of law, in the absence
of appropriations by Congress, he had
last year contracted obligations OF
$34, ,000,0 900,
81 don't think there has been a
moments unnecessary delay in get
ting supplies" he said.
Senator Hitchcock cited an instance
of delay in the War Departments
consideration o. new device to fur
nish hot food to front line trenches.
He said that the present device IS
ten-gallon freless cooker. too bic TO
get through the narrow trenches.
80 the men have had to use cold
food. hardtack, ETC." he added, al
though last September small, cheap
device was submitted to the department
and not tried until November. That
is just one Of the many instances VIC
are hearing about of lack of initiative
and delay here in the department"
How National Army Is Fed
General Sharpe detailed plans made
in advance Of the draft for feeding the
National Army. lie said the men upon
arrival al camp were as well provided
for as those OF the regular army and
National Guard.
"Its true there has been no notice
able complaint against food OF the