The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1918-07-12

SiStence for the forces In the United |
States, subsistence for the forces over
sea, food inspection, purchase, plan
ming, field bakeries and the like.
Branches Of these subdivisions spe-
cialze In beef, in milk. In -four, 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 100000 cans of soup to
supply the army for stated period.
And SO 1t goes down through some
$50 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 fections OF the
country bought supplies in conformity
with the tone Of their localized market
area. Soon, however, 1t became clear
that this function must be centralized
in Washington under the control Of the
divisional experts. AS result the d.
vision operates along lines Of high eff
| fciency Its system Of records shows
constantly the state of supplies at
home and abroad. enabling 1t to follow
any commodity from the point OF pro-
duction to the port of embarkation,
while the volume of purchase permits
direct relation with the manufacturer
and the elimination of the middleman.
By the application of this central con-
troll principle there was saved to the
! government in the purchase Of ration
items needed for the month of April
S161, 75O.59.
This centralized control Is also a
factor In expeditions action. Not long
ago there came from General Pershing
requistion for 24OOO,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 TWEEN
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
fulfllment of the requisition undes
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 divi-
sional officers price quotations on sup
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
l Then from the divisional Offices goes
the telegraphed word to she depots t6
purchase or decline.
.. From the depots the food goes tc
the various camps and cantonments
where 1t Is issued to the fighting organ
izatiOns by the quartermaster ir
charge. Each company, battery OF
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 foot
article must be assured before 1t car
be placed In the soldiers possession
. l. lie ARMY SYSTEM VI Inspection IL
1 thorough and uncompromising. 1t be
s gins at the source of supply and con
= tinues until the food IS actually con
e sumed. The records at Washington
show the capabilities, character ant
standard of every establishment pur
. veying food to the army. The inspec
y tors know fruits, vegetables, meat ant
% other articles of purchase. The arm.
70 specifications are clear and exact. The,
. must be met. The inspectors max
N sure they are met. And the receiving
70 officers at the depots, assuring them
% selves that there has been no deterlo
~ ration In shipment, thus make thei
70 contribution to that continual inspeo
% ton which ceases only when the foo
~ has ceased to exist.
% The bureau of markets of the de
partment of agriculture, with repre-
sentatives throughout the countr
D whose duty 1t is to report on cond
y lions in the perishable food market:
lie gives full help to the army inspection
n The bureau of chemistry of the sam
D. department also lends its powerful rs
b. sistance carefully examining and ant