The Washington herald., 1918-04-07
WHAT u S. HAS DONE IN ONE YEAR OF WA
Summary Of War Activities

Total estimated expense of the
United States government in the
first year of war. without loans
to the allies. is $12,os7.27s,67s.o7.
During the first year of war
the United States army has in
creased in actual strength from
1884 officers and 202,51O enlist
ed men to 123,s01 officers and
1,52S,s24 enlisted men.
Total appropriations for War
Department since April 6, 1917,
T,464,771.756.4s; with drawals
from the Treasury by the War
Department from June Is. 1917,
to March 8. 1918, were s3,006,-
761,907.15. The latter figures do
not represent actual expendi-
lures or obligations, but merely
Withdrawals from the Treasury.
Strength of the navy today is
nearly $1,000 officers and $4,000
enlisted men; strength a year
ago was 4,792 officers and H.
946 enlisted men.
The total number of persons
now In the naval establishment
exceeds 425.oO0.
Estimated total expenditures
Of the navy during first year of
war: Disbursements and out
standing obligations. 1851. .ooo,-
oo9
Total naval appropriations,
real and pending. $3.333.171.-
$500.
American destroyers arrived at
a British port to assist in pa
trolling European waters 2S
days after the declaration of
war.
The first contingent of the ex-
peditionary forces landed safely
at a French port IS days after
war was declared.
American troops went on the
line for their baptism of fire 1877
days after war was declared.
American troops permanently
took over a part OF the firing
line as an American sector in
January, 1918.
There are now four times as
many vessels in the naval serv-
ice as a year ago.
Nearly $4,000 mechanics and
other civilian employees are
working at navy yards and sta
tions.
Estimated pay of officers and
men of the navy for the first
year Of the war. St25.000.000.
Annual pay of the army now
exceeds a half billion dollars.
Production OF 10000 new au-
tomobile trucks is in progress
for the army. in addition to
purchases of $500 passenger
cars. SIPS motorcycles. and
5.04O bicycles. with appropriate
repair and replacement equip
ment.
During the first year of war
army expended $6O.oOO.000 for
horse-drawn vehicles and har-
ness; more than $5O.000.0O0 for
horses mules. and harness.
Expenditures for fiscal year
ending June 80, 1919. for fuel
and forage estimated at more
than half a billion dollars.
Quartermaster recently pur-
chased 61.000.O00 pounds of
prunes and dried beans and
273,000.000 cans of tomatoes,
condensed milk. and baked
beans. other purchases include
100000 yards of mosquito bar,
100000 yards of olive drab.
100000 wooden blankets. 31,-
100000 pairs of wooden drawers,
50,000,000 pairs of heavy stock
ings, 100000 wool coats.
Ordnance program includes
the purchase of $4,000. 900 hand
tolls, 250,O0O revolvers, 100000
projectiles for heavy artillery.
427.246.000 pounds OF explosives.
100000 machine guns, 2.4S4.0O0
rifles.
Machine guns are being pro-
duced at the rate of 225.OOO a
year, 311-inch guns at the rate
of $4,000 per year.
When war was declared, 123
naval vessels were building or
authorized, and contracts have
been placed since that time for
949 vessels.
Before the war a total OF ST.
100000 had been appropriated
for air service. Congress has
made $69l, 100000 available for
aircraft production in first year
of war.
The United States is now pro-
ducing battle planes of the latest
European design equipped with
liberty engines.
More than 700 privately own
cd vessels have been purchased
or chartered by the navy.
More than 10000 acres of land
in this country has been plant
ed with castor-bean plants to
produce sufficient oil for air
craft.
Army Ordnance Supply Divi-
sion handles monthly 10000 car
loads of material.
In less than three weeks after
enactment of selective-service
law the male population of the