Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-05-29
4 tEDING THE NATIONS ARMY
TASK OF GIGANTIC PROPORTIONS
Each Morning 1000 Cattle Must Be Slaughtered to Supply Daily
Ration of Fresh Bee-7000 Cars Required to Transport
Months SwpIy-Every Ounce Must Be Inspected
Before It Is Sent to the Men,

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-
cialize 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 a 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 sections of the
country bought supplies in conformity
with the tone of their localized market
area. Soon, however, II 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
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 to the port of embarkatiOn,
while the volume Of purchase permits
direct relation with the manufactures
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
$161. 75O59.
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 cat once" BY the terms
"ratlon." It 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
fuIflment of ,he requisltion undeE
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 10 the divi-
sional officers price quotations on sup
plies, with recommendations as to their
acceptance. The divisions experts
study them I'm 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 dcpots to
purchase or decline.
From the depots the food goes Ia
the various camps and environments
where 1t is issued to the lighting organ
Izations ny the quartermaster ir
charge Each company. battery ol
troop. each separate detachment. oper
ates It's own kitchen with its enlisted
cooks working under mess sergeant
Here the food is prepared for break
fast. dinner and supper.
The wholesomeness Of every food
article must he assured before II car
be placed In the soldiers possession
The army's system Of inspection Is
thorough and uncompromising. It he
gins at the source of supply and con
tinues until the food Is actually con
sumed. The records at Washington
show the capabilities, character anC
standard of every establishment pur
veying food to the army The inspec
I tors know fruits. vegetables. meat ant
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 deterlo
ration in shipment. thus make theii
! contribution TO that continual inspec
+ tlon which ceases only when the fOoC
} has ceased TO exist.
The bureau Of markets Of the de
partment of agriculture, with repro
sentatlves throughout the coun r
whose duty It is to report on condi
tions in the perishable food markets
gives full help to the army inspection
The bureau Of chemistry of the Sam
department also lends It's powerful as
sistance. carefully examining and ana