Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1918-04-12

Corps OF Engineers.
AZ the beginning OF the war the en-
eineer troops consisted OF three regi
menfs OF pioneer engineers, with
trains. one mounted company. one en-
g'neer detachment at West Point. The
aggregate strength was approximate
~ Alb officers and enlisted men. Al
present the aggregate authorized
strength Is over 100000. with an act
uai strength Of approximately 10000.
of the special engineer units re-
cruifed for service on railways and In
the maintenance Of lines OF communi-
cation. many are already In France
and others are awaiting recruitment
10 fun strength IN order to be ready
for overseas service. The first en-
gineer troops. LOO strong. 20 be sent
abroad. arrived In France about three
months after war WAS declared Since
that time the number has been greatly
augmented. These troops have been
constantly engaged IA general en-
cheering work, including the con-
struction OF railways. docks. wharyes.
cantonmcnts. and hospitals for the use
81 the American expeditionary forces.
They have. In some instances. In the
performance Of their duties. engaged
IA active combat with the enemy.
Ordnance Department.
Since the outbreak OF war the
commissioned personnel OF the ord
nance department has expanded from
81 officers. operating with yearly APP
propriations Of about x14,0o0.Oe and
with manufacture largely confined 10
government arsenals. TO 5000 officers
In this country and abroad. transactlng
an unprecedented war program for the
supply OF ordnance. the total direct
appropriations and contract authorize
lions for one year having been 81
75d.503,1 1875.
The ordnance storage properties
embrace separate warehouse buildings |
and miles OF railroad siding. all com
pretended within the depot premises. |
which are incl0scd by electrically |
charged wire barriers and lighted and
pstrolled with unremlttlng vigilance.
one Of these depots. now under CON
struction. will include 100 separate
buildings and so miles OF railroad spe-
cially built 10 serve the depot's needs.
The supply division OF the ordnance
department handles material amount
Ing 20 approximately 10000 carloads a
month
While building the foundation for
greater production, the ordnance de-
partmcnt has provided 100000 rifles
has brought the rate OF rife production
up 70 1900 per week, sufficient to
equip three army divisions: secured
deliveries on more than 1900 ma
chine guns; brought the rate OF pro
AUCTION Of machine guns from 10000
10 $4,000 per year; increased the rate
N production OF 3is-inch to 9-lnch cali
Der guns from 800 to $4,000 per year;
md has arranged for the manufacture
II some $4,000 motortrueks and trac-
ors for hauling heavy guns and am
which are being delivered
almost as fast as they can be shipped.
One billion rounds OF ammunition
las been purchased for the training !
Il troops In the environments alone
An idea OF the extent OF the ord
ance program may be gained from
he following few items OF purchase:
'wenty three million hand grenades,
$4,000 automatic pistols. 100000 re
divers 23,000,O00 projectiles for all
alibers OF heavy artillery. 427. 246.O00
ounds OF explosives, 100000 machine
uns. and 2,4s4.0O0 rifles.
The ordnance problem. however, IS
o less one OF quality than OF quantity
reduction. The American soldier is
cling provided with weapons which ,
I've him an additional safeguard to
Re and a further guaranty OF victory ,
Achievements Of the ordnance de .
artment include the Browning ma /,
line ride. model OF 1918. and the
ROWING machine gun. heavy type, q.
odel Of 1918. production OF the for =
er now being on quantity basis by l,
nchlne process while similar produc-
on Of the heavier type is imminent.
The heavy browning machine gun. =
alter cooled. IA a government test =
ed 10000 shots In 4s minutes and -
seconds without malfunctlon. =
ousrtsrmsster Corps.
The magnitude OF the work OF the =,
ariermastcr corps is Indicated by =,
Q operation OF the subsistence dlvi-
m. which IL charged with the re
Of seeing that food sup
es for the army are available at all =
atoms from the Philippines 20 Lor- ~
Ine. Purchases recently made In "
ided s0.O00000 pounds dried beans. ~
100000 cans baked beans OF the NJ
II crop. 65,isAs75 cans OF tomatoes. ma
o0eO00 cans OF condensed milk. aud
2sT 900 pounds OF prunes. ha
rhe establishment OF the subsistence We
'ision centralized the purchases Of We
'dstufrs Tor the army. previous to IN
lch sach products were distributed 'ol
ough the depot Qusrtermasser. III, co
tive Janusry /, the central eontrol Er
item has resulted IN greater EN-. &c
acy and big saving. In January. pu
90 /