Tombstone epitaph., 1918-05-26

lra-'Nh't itt tilt IpfstS III tIlt | Ulftt States. subsistence for the forces over sea. food inspection, purchase plan. ming. field bakeries and the like. Branches of these subdivisions spe- cialize in beef. fin milk. in flour, in canned goods and other required foods. The proportions of single purchases are almost staggering. The other day the division was casting about for a little matter of 57.O0O.O0O cans of soup to supply the army for a stated period.
 And so it goes down through some 2Jo Items of supply running from ham to shoe strings and from metal polish to macaroni.
 Formerly the work of the food pur- chase was distributed. Depot quarter masters In various sections of the country bought supplies in conformity with the tone of their localized market area. Soon, however, it became clear that this function must be centralized in Washington under the control of the divisional experts. As resui! the di- vision operates along lines of high ef- ficiency. Its system of records shows constantly the state of supplies at home and abroad, enabling it to follow any commodity from the point of pro- duction Co the port of authorization. while the volume of purchase permits direct relation with the manufacturer and the elimination of the middleman. By the application of this central con trol principle there was saved to the government in the purchase of ration items needed for the month of April sl6l. .7JO.59.
 This centralized control is also a factor in expeditions action. Not long ago there came from General Pershing requisition for 24.O0O.OOO rations to be supplied "at once" By the terms ration" 1t should be explained, is meant the complete food supply of one soldier for one day. Within twen- ty-four hours the division had located points of production capable of sup plying this large demand, had placed the orders and was able to report the fulfiliment of the requisition unde: way.
 system Of Purchasing.
 While the buying Is thus controlled. the actual purchases are not made in Washington. The purchase depots at various points telegraph to the divf. sional officers price quotations. on SUD- plies. with recommendations as to their acceptance. The divisions experts study them in connection with their market reports and confidential lists of prices from the big food industries. Then from the divisional offices goes the telegraphed word to the depots to purchase or decline.
 From the depots the food goes to the various camps and cantonments, where it is issued to the fighting organ izations by the Quartermaster in charge. Each company. battery or troop. each separate detachment. oper. ates its own kitchen with Its enlisted cooks working under a mess sergeant. Here the food Is prepared for break fast. dinner and supper
 The wholesomeness of every food article must be assured before It can be placed in the soldiers possession. The army's system of inspection Is thorough and unco!npromising. It be gins at the source of supply and con. tinues until the food is actually con- sumed. The records at Washington show the capabilities, character and standard of every establishment pur- veying food to the army. The inspec. tors know fruits. vegetables, meat and other articles of purchase. The army specifications are clear and exact. They must be met. The inspectors make sure they are met. And the receiving officers at the depots, assuring them selves that there has been no deteriO- ration in shipment. thus make their contribution to that continual inspec- ton which ceases only when the food has ceased to exist.
 The bureau of markets of the de. pertinent of agriculture. with repre-. sentatives throughout the country whose duty it is to report on condi. tions in the perishabIe food markets gives fun help to the army inspection. The bureau of chemistry of the same department also lends its powerful as sistance. carefully examining and ana.