Arizona republican., 1918-01-05

 SHORTAGE IS ENDED
Republican A. P. Leased Wire


 WASHINGTON, Jan. 4.-Overcoat shortages at national guard and na- tional army training camps were re- ported ended except at Camp Beaure- gard, Louisiana, by Secretary Baker in further response today to the sen ate military committees resolution urging immediate steps to provide the soldiers with adequate winter clothing Many of the camps are still short of blouses, which the secretary said were particularly hard to obtain.
 The report was based upon the war departments latest telegraphic advices from the division commanders. Emerg- ency express shipments and local pur- chases have been authorized, and Mir. Baker expressed the belief that by to- day 'all the men are comfortable"
 Of a total shortage of 11,500 over coats, Camp Beauregard needed 10,S63. A deficiency of about 6S,000 blouses was scattered among thirteen posts, Camp kearney, Cal, needing 13,S09.
 Blame for delay in furnishing win ter garments was placed by the secre- tary partially upon supply. but largely upon the transportation situation. Shortages shown in the report in l cluded: Camp -Kearney, Gal, over coats, none; blouses, 13.S09 Camp Bowie, Texas, overcoats, none; blouses, S.725; Camp Doniphan Oklahoma, overcoats, ?; blouses. none; Camp Funston, Kansas, overcoats, none l blouses 9,600.
 1 Bedding supplies were said to be adequate at all camps.
 1 To meet the overcoat shortage at Camp Beauregard, Secretary Baker said 22,300 had been expressed Decem- 1 Der 26. He told also of recent ship ment of 10000 blouses to Camp Funs- ton.
 Instructions have been sent to all to obtain locally and immediately said the report, any uniform garment which Is short in order to give each man one whole uniform; to use sizes on hand to exchange with other camps If practicable. and to employ garment makers to alter garments so as to fiji those without necessary uniforms"
 Minor shortages of brooches and underwear at some camps were re- ported and with the information that camp commanders have been author ized to secure garments from loca markets. The shortage of blouses al Camp kearney was said not to b. serious, because of mild climate. Secretary Bakers report reached the committee at the close of another day. investigation of the army clothins situation, marked by introduction O bills in both senate and house for es. tablishment of a new department O munitions with a cabinet head to cen tralize all government war supply op erations.
 Woolen manufacturers and Colone Elmer Lindsey, inspector and pur chasing head of the quartermaster' depot at Philadelphia gave testimon criticizing the quality of army clothin made under the new specifications C the supplies committee of the counc i of national defense providing for us of shoddy They agreed that stand ards were lowered and garments an blankets of less durability and warmt produced
 A bill introduced today by Senate McKellar of Tennessee, as a result O the committees investigation of tn system of army supply purchasing would abolish the advisory committee of the council of national defense am prohibit civilians from serving tn government under the existing prac tice of $1 a year. The bill woul amend the law creating the counci and permit the president to appoin one advisory commission of seve members to serve without compensa fiOn