Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-04-04
MISSOURI VALLEY, IOWA, THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1918

anu ooo,ouO enlisted men !;
| strength year ago was 4,792 officers
ana T7946 enlisted men. The total
number of. persons now in the naval
establishment exceeds 425,OOO,
| The first contingent Of the expedi-
ti0nary forces landed safely at a
French port IS days after war was de-
clared. American troops went on the
line for their baptism of fire 1877 days
after war was declared.
! Nearly 10000 mechanics and other
civilian employees are working at navy
yards and stations.
More than 700 privately owned YES
sells have been purchased or chartered
by the navy.
Some 300 woolen mills are working
on army contracts.
Over 100000 pairs of shoes have
been ordered for the army.
Treasury department floated se,61G.
os2,3O0 subscriptions to Liberty bonds
Loans to total of Sc, ,SS2, 900 600 had
been made to co-belligerent nations to
end of 1917.
Total weight of steel thrown by a
single broadside from the Pennsylvan-
la today is 17,50s pounds; maximum
broadside of largest ship during Span
lsh-American war was $500 pounds.
Two weeks after war was declared
contracts had been made covering the
requirements of an army of 100000
men, this material comprising $780,
600 items.
More than 11,OOO manufacturers bid
for navy business.
Total deaths in the army from April
g, 1917, to March IA, 1918, for all causes
was reported by the Adjutunt Cen
erals office to be 1.191. OF this num-
Der. l32 were reported as killed in ac-
ton and 237 died or were lost at sea.
The total number wounded in action
was 4O4. Thirty-five men have been
reported as missing; % of them are
said to have been captured Casual
ties In the navy and marine corps
from April to December 81, 1917, in
clude naval officers and 139 enlisted
men, killed or died from wounds. No
officers were reported as wounded in
action, but 10 enlisted men were so
reported.
Government now operates 100000
miles of railway, employing 100000
men and representing investment of
S17 100000.
Bonds, certificates Of indebtedness,
War-savings certificates, and thrift
stamps is issued by the treasury up
to March - totaled SS,56O,SO ,O52.96.
The United States government had
loaned to foreign governments asso-
ciated in the war on March 12, 1918,
81 4,436, ,329, $50.
To March II the war-risk insurance
bureau had issued policies for total
of Sl2,465, 116,500 to the armed forces.
Allotments and allowances to SOL
dlers' and sailors dependents paid by
the government in February amounted
to s19,976543.
The ordnance department manufac-
lures about 100000 items. One type
of gun with it's carriage has 1890
parts, exclusive Of accessories.
For training troops in cantonments
1,O0OO0O.00O rounds of ammunition
have been bought.
The navy has developed an Ameri-
con mine believed to combine all the
good points of various types of mines,
and is manufacturing them In auanti-
ties.
Army medical training schools have
been created with capacity Of 21,0O0
officers and men-15,0O0 enlisted men
and 5000 officers already trained and
graduated.
Naval communication service oper-
ates all radio service; 5000 youths
are studying autobiography at two
naval schools.
Medical officers numbering 1875 are
members of the medical department Of
the navy. Navy maintains 10000 hos
pital beds and 5000 are being added
OF 63,203 candidates for officers
commissions at two officers training
camps 44,57S were successful; third
series is now in progr ess with $4,000
attendance.
During the year the latest type Of
naval (16-inch gun was completed for
onr new battleships; 1t throws a pro-
jectile weighing 2,1oO pounds.
When war was declared, 1913 naval
vessels were building or authorized,
and contracts have been placed since
that time for $40 vessels.
Before the war total of $1,5O0O00
had been appropriated for air service.
Congress has made S691 100000 avail
able for aircraft production in first
year of war.
There are now $50 firms employed
in Germany in the manufacture Of
whole wood soles for new footwear
with an OUTPUT Of 100000 pairs weekly.
Beechwood has been chiefly used, but
any hardwood with the exception Of
oak, will serve equally we'll.
AS provision to maintain the sup
ply of gas In districts where 1t is ur-
gently needed for national work an
order has been issued under which the
use of gas manufactured or supplied
by any specific undertaking may be
prohibited in motor vehicles other than
those used by the undertaking itself.
The Australian wlteat crop for the
season of 1917-1B is estimated at 114,-
100000 bushels compared with last
years Yield Of 1a2s565 600. The 25 per