Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-15
Committee Reports Largest Meas
ure Of It's Kind In History
Of Congress.
NEEDS OF DEPARTMENT.
General Wheeler Says That France
Is Prepared to Furnish Artillery
and Ammunition for Certain
Number of American Troops.
IRy Associated Preasl


House tomorrow.
In presenting the measure. Chairman
Shcrley made public testimony given
to the committee by department chiefs
during the past month Of committee in
vestigation. Huge amounts were asked
for various military activities. Among
these was a total of almost SS1. 600. 600
for mountain. field and siege artillery.
in addition TO more than $1,000. 00O, 900
already spent, and contract authorize
lions of 3779.90o.o0O additional. Tho
testimony of Colonel Ames. Of the Ord
nance Department.. said that tho total
amount available for this purpose since
the beginning Of the war under direct
appropriations and contract authorize
lions was sI.S16.000.00 of which
amount orders have been placed re-
curing ultimate expenditure of S1,262,-
100000, leaving still available for con-
tracts S564 100000. Ho said the $1,S16,-
100000 was intended to supply ammu-
milton. upon revised estimates of the
quantities needed. for 10000 men. in
Guiding the ammunition needed for tho
light trench mortars. The SS1.0o0.o 900
additional, he declared. is asked as the
result of a change in the military pro-
gram. including new requirements for
a larger number of shells, for ammuni-
ton for guns mounted on tanks, and
100000 for a plant designed for the
filling of projectilcs with gases, and So
100000 for plant for the same purpose
to be erected in France.
At his examination before tho COM
mittee, Chairman Sherley's report said.
General Wheeler, Of the Ordnance Blu
reau. brought out that the govcrnme mt
had an Arrangement with the French
TO supply artillery and ammunition 10
certain number Of American troops
arriving in France, but after these units
are supplied the United States would
fully equip additional troops.
AMERICAS RESOURCES AMPLE
FOR ALL WAR NEEDS
Americas resources. General Wheeler
testified. were SUFFICIENT to meet all war
needs. He asserted the War Depart
ment had $1,000. OOo. 900 worth of ammu-
milton contracts.
ator-General Squire. chief signal
officer. testified the signal corps has
spent or obligated all the 100000. 600
appropriated to carry out its airplane
program, and has incurred obligations
that will equal sso,oo0,oOo in addition
and may go beyond that for the present
fiscal year. He asked s2T7.7s2.0Oo to
procure bombs for the airplanes.
COCKTAILS DISCUSSES STORAGE
AND sHIPPING FACILITIES
Discussing storage and shipping IA
cilities, General Goethals said approxi-
mately 100000. 900. with authorization
OF S5o,oDO.0oo more is needed for
storage of quqrtermaster supplies along
the sea coast. including huge amounts
for various specific terminals.
Federal Food Administrator Hoover
said the combined food and fuel adj
ministratGrs SO far have had total ap-
propriations OF s5.515.000, out of which
there has been an actual expenditure
OF Sl.sS5,4,s. and there are now out
standing obligations OF S2.27o,3s3. leav-
ing Si.25I,s50 balance. He asked So
100000 more now
OVER 100000 NONEsNEMY
ALIENS REGISTERED
Acknowledgement Crowder in
asking an appropriation of an addi-
tional sl0.0o0.000 for draft registration
and selection. testified that there is
complete registration already Of all
aliens. Including enemy aliens, between
twenty-one ana thirty. and that on
June there were 100000 aliens-not
enemy aliens-between the draft ages
OF twenty-one and thirty.
total Of $4,000. 900 would be an
propriated for shipping and storage
schemes OF the Guartermaster's depart
lnent, In which 1t is contemplated to In
crease storage facilities at Norfolk.
Newport News. Charleston. Boston, New
York, Philadelphia and Baltimore.
General Cocktails, in outlining this
scheme to the Appropriations Commit
tee, SAID 1t was also contemplated 10
build storage houses at some interior
points because OF port congestion, TO
relieve manufacturers of the necessity
or storing their own products.
| he said IT was not feasible to use
any ports south OF Charleston on the
Atlantic, and Gulf ports were too far.
| removed from the Eastern SHINING
| centers.
General Goethals submitted a state
'heht regarding tho use that has been
made OF the 100000 already ammo
priated for storage for tho suar,or
master corps. He said $4,000. 900 wa.
expended ut Governors Island. N v
I and $S,00000 at Newport News whun
at various points the rental b,s 90,
sumed the balance Of that onnronr,.-
| ton.
STORAGE AT NOnFoLK
WILL COST 5000, 900
The storage that Is necessary TO nro-
vide 100000 square feet at Norfo,x
Is estimated to cost $4,000 900 and
at Charleston, 100000 square feet ne
storage will cost s16.5O0,OOo, Of which
S3.300,000 IL for land.
General Cocktails said that what is
contemplated is n thirty days storage
on the sea coast. the idea being n
thirty-day supply on the water I, the
shipping Will admit of It.. and a thirty
Gays reserve at the seacoast. ready
Tor embarkation. There will be i'm ad
uition interior storehouscs TO cost
S50,O0o.000. There Is a total of fifty-
three acres at Harrison. N. j., where
three storehouses have been built.
There is also at Norfolk open and in
door storage about 80 per cent COM
pleted, to cost when completed s3.-
0bo.50o,