The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-11


1t is noteworthy that the supplies divi-
sion of this Office, which is charged with
the coaling and fueling Of all ships used
in the army transport service, did tins
work so well during the past winter that
not single transport was ever held up
one hour by lack Of fuel, and in addition
many commercial vessels were able to
leave port only after being supplied by
the army transport service.
All the commercial liners under foreign
register, which have been used in connec-
ton with the transportation of troops,
have been provided by the Office of the
general superintendent with supplies ag-
gregating millions of dollars, principally
life saving equipment, of which an enor-
nous amount has been purchased, and
also every article of ship stores.
All Directed From New York.
All movements of troops from Phlla-
dcphia, New York, Boston. Portland,
Halifax and Montreal are directed and
controlled through embarkation headquar-
tiers, port Of New York, and the vessels
engaged in this service are supplied with
much of their equipment ny tn" supplies
division of the general superintendent IN
New York. The thanks of the British and
the French Ministries of Shipping have
been extended to Lieut.. Col. +. =. Jack
son, q. NJ. C., \. A, in charge OF the
supplies division, for the able and efficient
manner In which he has met all these de-
mands.
The organization at the other ports
throughout the country has been based
almost entirely on the plan followed at
the port of New York.
There are only four commissioned Off
GERS of the regular army, including the
general superintendent, on duty in his
Office, and the commissioned personnel of
the Office Of the general superintendent is
composed almost exclusively of officers of
the quartermaster reserve corps who have
been called directly from civil life. Among
these officers are capable business men
who have made marked success in civil
life and in many cases are contributing
their services to the country at Il pecunI-
airy sacrifice.
The character of the enlisted personnel
of this Office is particularly high. 1t in
cludes highly educated men representing
nearly every business and profession.
Privates are observed who were until
their induction professional and business
men drawing large salaries, and who
are now serving the Government for $50
per month. Some fifty of the enlisted
men Of this Office have been commissioned
within the last two months, and oppor-
tunities are given to men of every grade
to obtain the coveted golden bars. A num-
Der of these men were originally civilian
employees of the department and have en-
tered the military service directly from
these positions.
Receive Military Instruction.
These enlisted men are quartered in bar
racks about the city, where they are pro-
vi1ed with the same accommodations as
men in the camps, and where they receive,
outside working hours, military instruc-
ton and training which will eventually
fit them for any branch of the military
service.
The success of the eInbarkaton service
at the port of New York, and particularly
the expedition with which the enormous
number of troops has been sent overseas,
has been an occasion of pardonable pride
on the part Of every officer, enlisted man
and civilian employee on duty with the
cmbarkation work or connected with the
army transport service, and while all are
anxious for duty overseas, particularly the
regular officers of long service, they have
felt that they have contributed in no small
measure to success in the actual theatre Of
war.
One of the smaller but highly impor-