The Oskaloosa herald., 1918-04-04

estimates tnat the ordnance bureau
had averaged contracts of $6.O0O,0OC
a day. Production of machine guns is
now ahead Of schedule except for the
Browning heavy type. and while
France and England are supplying the
primary needs of the u. S. in big ar.
tillery. the nation is producing the
large type guns too.
The ordnance bureau anticipated
that by the end of the year it will have
more than 6O.OOO,000 shells produced
in American factories.
Beyond Comprehension.
fixtures on the war make the brain
fairly reel. For instance, the army it.
self has grown from a handful of men
and officers--say 100000 to about l..
100000. Officers alone number close
to 100000 at this time.
Supplying such a force has been a
trying problem. Delays marked the
earlier work, and there were com
plants OF lac kof warm clothing in
many camps during the winter. The
situation was remedied, however, and
| the recognized quartermaster branch
stated today that 1t has now collected
reserve which will obviate and short
age hereafter. The recognized bureau
has also seen to it that sufficient sup
plies of meat and other goods are
stored at convenient places so that
there shall be no tieups as occurred
when the railroad congestion was at
its worst
The clothing supply task is a ire
mendous one. Not only must current
supply be maintained but reserves
must be created This means for in
stance that during the>winter the or
ganization bought its underwear by
30,000,000 pairs and SO on.
the 100000, stockings to more than
Obstacles Overcome.
American aeroplane development,
one of the most secret of all war pre-
parations, is one of the many romano
es of business involved in our work.
Perfection of Liberty motor, surpass.
ing anything known in the motor line
to date, has provided America with a
substantial basis for its work. Diff
culties in obtaining spruce and other
materials has tended to slow down
construction of aircraft, but the first
shipment of aeroplanes went abroad
nearly two months ago. More than TO-,
600 men are now training for the air
service, and thousands of planes of
various types-training and combat
are under contract That we win be
able to supply 10000 battle planes to
gether with the needed men this year
is problematicaI, but production of all
types is now progressing satisfactor-
| lily.
Construction work abroad and in
this country has involved expenditure
of millions and has engaged tremen-
dous volume of labor. The first big
construction task the nation faced was
that of building 16 cantonment cities.
These were ready in September
Other tasks OF enormous Importance
and volume have been the layirg of
tracks in FIance-there are 500 miles
for American transportation needs,
most of which is demonstration of
big ordnance depot in France. ell
largement of overcrowded dockage ia
cilities abroad; building of shipyards,
expansion of plants making war sup
plies.
Meeting Problems
American war work has hinged
largelyly on shipping.
The first two months output of ships
was unsatisfactory, amounting to less
than 100000 tons, bat shipyards are
now proceeding at far better rate,
and it is estimated that the last half
of the year will find production at dou-
BILE the rate of the first six months.
The Hog Island plant at Philadelphia
is the biggest of all the new shipyards
and has fifty ways.
The submarine destruction has forg-
ed ahead of construction the past year
but if the war goes into next year
as it now seems destined to do
American and British yards will be
well fixed on output. In addition to
this meeting of the submarine menace,
the development of anti-subIharine de
vices and the constant addition of new
destroyers is having strong effect on
the U-boat situation. In fact, it is such
that American-Allied officials believe
the U-boat will be held" this fall
Food, fuel and transportation prob
ilems have vexed the nation and caus.
| ed disturbance to the war program on
both sides of the water The nation re
sponded willingly to appeals for food
conservation to help in adding to sup
plies abroad. Railroad congestion and
cold weather, however, hindered move
ments of food and munitions to sea
board temporarily but now this has
been cleared, and the overseas trans
port service is running on schedule.
I