The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1918-06-06
ZONE SYSTEM FOR
ARMYS PURCHASES
TERRITORY HAS BEEN ALLOTTED
TO EACH OF THIRTEEN GEN.
ERAL SUPPLY DEPoTs.
ORDNANCE EQUIPMENT READY

Every Soldier Leaving for France Has
Been Fully Quilted - American
Merchants Take over the Interests
Of German Fur Men.
IFrom Committee on Public Information.)
Washington.-A zone system for the
apportionment Of purchases through
out the United States and to facilitate
distribution has been established by
the Quartermaster department. Terri
tory has been allotted to each of 10
general supply depots. The general
supply depot quartermasters are
charged with the duty of ascertaining
the manufacturing possibilities of their
zones. On the basis Of reports along
this line forwarded to the acting quar-
termaster general, food and equip
ment for troops at the different camps
will be purchased within the zone in
which the camp is located.
Formerly nearly all of a particular
class Of supplies was purchased
through single general supply depot.
Other articles were obtained through
other supply depots. Manufacturers
In sections distant from the particular
supply depot buying their goods were
at disadvantage, and were unable to
compete with rivals nearer the point.
Under the new system most classes OF
supplies will be purchased through
each Of the Is depots, and manufacture
ers will be able to transact their bust
ness through the depots nearest them.
Each general supply depot quarter
master besides ascertaining production
facilities within his zone is instructed
to recommend to the Quartermaster
generals Office the employment of such
producers as are in his judgment quail
flied to fulfill contracts. Each depot
is expected to keep informed as to
market conditions and spot goods To-
Gated in that zone, and when short
ages occur submit recommendations
for purchase Of articles which may
be obtained within the zone.
Purchases are to be made after ad-
yertisement by open competitive bid
ding when time will permit. In emer-
gency cases competition is desired
whenever possible. The record of bids
received and awards made will be open
to public Inspection.
The army ordnance department has
thus far met every demand imposed by
the new program for overseas ship
ment of American troops, according to
a statement by the department. Des-
pite the great acCeleratiOn In the send
ing of American forces to France, no
infantryman goes aboard ship without
a United States model 1917 rife (modi-
fled Entield), bayonet, belt, haverSack,
pack carrier, bandOleers, bayonet
scabbard, and full mess equipment.
Tonnage is today a limiting factor
In the shipment of ordnance material
overseas, especially because of the
present necessity of increasing the
transport Of infantry regiments.
Sufficient supplies of artillery
French 75-millimeters and 155-milli-
meters and American heavy railway
artillery-are already in France to
machine guns are also Immediately
available for American forces in
France.
A Canadian order in council pro
vides that no person, with the excep-
ton of manufacturers Of flour, bakers,
confectiOners, wholesale or retail deal
ers, or persons living at a greater dis
lance than two miles from licensed
dealer, shall hold or have in his pos
session or under his control more flour,
made wholly or In part from wheat,
than Is sufficient for his ordinary re-
quirements for period not exceeding
10 days.
Anyone living at a distance greater
than two miles and less than five miles
from licensed dealer may hold or
control flour made wholly or in part
from wheat up to an amount sufficient
for his ordinary requirements for a
period not exceeding 30 days. Any
one living more than five and less than
ten miles from licensed dealer may
have sufficient for his ordinary re-
quirements up to go days, while per-
son living more than ten miles from
such q dealer may have sufficient for
his ordinary requirements for a period
up to 100 days.
Any wholesale or any retail dealer
licensed by the Canadian food board
may not hold flour made wholly or In
part from wheat IN excess Of quaint.
ty sufficient for his ordinary trade re-
lquirements for period exceeding 30
days.
The regulation regarding sugar par
allels this save In the last clause.
Manufacturers, wholesalers, or retail
ers may not have more sugar than Is
required for period exceeding 10
days.
The Swiss federal government has
by decree fixed the maximum price at
which farmers may sell cattle for
slaughter as well as the prices at
which various qualities Of butchers
meat may be retailed. Farmers may
demand no more than % cents per
pound for first-class fat beef cattle.
mn. - m