The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1918-01-19
ENGINEERS Face
GIGANTIC TASK
Undertake to Transport Rail-
roads Complete From United
States to France.
CORPS HAS Been EXPANDED
Personnel In Officers and Enlisted Men
Was Increased In Period Of Seven
Months From $500 to
100000.

The corps Of engineers Of the army
since April 9 has not only been sup
plying the engineer equipment for an
army of a million men, but Inns under
taken the unprecedented task Of fur
nishing railroads complete from the
United States for operation In France.
The engineers construct the free ar
ferries through which flow great
armies, re-enforcements, supplies and
ammunition to the extremities Of the
; lines.
From March to November I the
corps Of engineers increased its per-
sonnet from 256 officers on the active
list to 1914 officers and IA retired off,
GERS on active duty and in addition
has commissioned more than 5000 re-
serve officers. The enlisted force has
expanded from 2,100 to $4,000. and
there has also been heavy increase
in civilian employees.
In addition, nine railroad regiments
and one forestry regiment have been
raised as part Of the National army.
Seventeen pioneer regiments have been
authorized as part Of the National
army. National Guard units, eQuiva-
lent TO about seven regiments, have
been called into the federal service,
and their reorganization into IL
pioneer engineer regiments for the IL
divisions Of National Guard troops is
well under way.
Purchase Of Equipment
A duty imposed upon the engineers
has been the purchase OF the neces-
sary engineer equipment for more than
100000 men. The urgent deficiencies
act approved June 10, 1917, appropriate
ed for the purpose amounts aggregat-
ing in excess of $130,O0O,0OO, an
amount comparable with the purchase
of material, equipment, and supplies
for the Panama canal during the ten
years of Its construction. The urgent
deficiencies act approved October o,
1917, provides $19S, 100000 additional
fer engineer purposes and 1t is ex-
pectcd that all of this will be expend-
ed during the present fiscal year.
The engineers of the railway section
have undertaken TO transport and in
stall and put in operation overseas a
complete railroad equipment. The rail-
way problem in the theater of opera
tions in France involves not only the
organization, equipment, and military
training of railroad troops for the con-
struction, maintenance, and operation
of standard and narrow gauge roads
necessary for the supply OF our
armies, but also the purchase. inspec-
ton, and shipment Of immense guam
titles Of railroad equipment-rails,
ties, locomotives, cars, shop tools,
etc.-necessary for the development
of adequate port facilities, construc-
ton of new lines and their success
full operation.
Trained officials in various depart
ments of American railroads were
called upon for the officers, and ex-
perienced railroad employees for the
enlisted men, of the nine railroad regi-
ments, each Of 80 officers and approx
mately 100 men.
Organize Special Troops.
The engineers have also undertaken
the work of organizing and eQulpping
special troops for special services,
such as lumber supply, road construc-
ton, sanitary construction, camouflage
service, gas and flame service. mining
work, mapping, etc.
Preferred attention was given to the
organization and equipment Of the first
forestry regiment, sent to France to
produce lumber and timber from
French forests. Three additional regi-
ments are to be organized. The CO
operation Of the forestry service OF
the department Of agriculture has
been extended In the selection Of per-
sonnet and equipment.
In addition to all Of these duties,
the engineer corps has maintained Its
regular service in the preservation
and Improvement Of navigable waters
In the United States and construction
of coast defenses. New batteries are
being pushed to completion with en-
ergy.