The Benson signal., 1918-04-20


During the first year OF war The
United States army has increased In
actual strength from 1924 officers and
2O2,51O enlisted men to 123.SO1 officers
and 1,52S.924 enlisted men. Strength
OF the navy today Is nearly 21.OOO Of
ficers and 100000 enlisted ! men !;
strength Il year ago was 4.792 officers
and 77.946 enlisted men. The total
number Of persons now in the naval
establishment exceeds 425,OO0
The first contingent Of the expedi-
tionary forces landed safely mt II
French port SO days after war was de-
clared. American troops went on the
line for their baptism Of fire 1877 days
after war was declared.
Nearly 10000 mechanics and other
civilian employees are working mt navy
yards and stations.
More than 700 privately owned YES.
sells have been purchased or chartered
by the navy.
Some 300 wooden mills are working
on army contracts.
Over 2O,OOO.OOO pairs Of shoes have
been ordered for the army.
/ Treasury department flOated $685.
$4,000 subscriptions to Liberty hontls.
Loans to total Of S3,SS2. SOC. 900 had
been made to co-belligerent nations to
end of 1917.
Total weight of steel thrown by
single brOadside from the Pennsylvan.
la today Is 17,508 pounds: maximum
broadside Of largest ship during Span.
lSh-Amerfcan war was $500 pounds.
Two weeks after war was declared
contracts had been made covering the
requirements of an army Of 1,OO0.O 900
men. this material comprising $780,
600 items.
More than 1000 manufacturers hid
for navy business.
Total deaths in the army from April
6. 1917, to March ID. 1918. for all causes
was reported by the Adiutant Cen
erals office to be 1.101. OF this mum.
ber, 132 were reported as killed In ac-
ton and 237 died or were lost mt sea.
The total number wounded in action
was 4O4. Thirty-fve men have been
reported as missing; 29 OF them are
said to have been captured. Casual.
ties In the navy and marine corps
from April G to December 81. 1917. In
clude naval officers and 139 enlisted
men, killed or died from wounds. No
officers were reported as wounded in
action. but 10 enlisted men were so
reported.
Government now operates 100000
miles Of railway, employing 1.OOO.OOO
men and representing investment Of
SIT 100000.
Bonds. certificates OF Indebtedness.
war-savings certificates. and thrift
stamps are issued by the treasury up
to March 12 totnled $500, ,8O2 .O52.98
The United States government had
loaned to foreign governments nsSo-
ciated In the war on March II. 1913.
81. .436, ,320, $50.
To March IL the war-risk insurance
bureau had issued policies for total
Of 81. 11G,5OO to the armed forces.
Allotmonts and allowances to SOL
diers' and sailors dependents paid by
the government in February amounted
to $19.97G543.
The ordnance department manufac-
lures about 100000 items. One type
Of gun with it's carriage has 1880
parts, exclusive Of accessories.
For training troops In cantOnments
1.OOO.OOO.OOO rounds of ammunition
have been bought.
The navy has developed m Ameri-
con mine believed to combine nlF the
good points Of various types Of mines,
and Is manufacturing them in quaint.
ties.
Army medical training schools have
been created with capacity Of 1000
officers and men---15.OOO enlisted men
and 5000 officers already trained and
graduated.
Naval communication service Oper.
ntes all radio service; 1900 youths
are studying autobiography ut two
naval schools.
Medical officers numbering 1875 are
members of the medical department OF
the navy. Navy maintains $4,000 hos.
pital beds and 5000 are being added.
or 63,2O3 candidates for officers
commissions at two officers training
camps 44.57S were successful: q third
series is now in progress with $4,000
attendance.
During the year the latest type OF
naval 16-inch gun was completed for
our new battleships: 1t throws a pro-
jectilc weighing 2,1OO pounds.
When war was declared, 123 naval
vessels were building or authorized.
and contracts have been placed since
that time for $40 vessels.
Before the war total OF 81 500. 600
had been appropriated for air service.
Congress has made $691 100000 avail.
able for aircraft production in flrst
year of war.
There are now 19O firms employed
In Germany in the manufacture OF