The Benson signal., 1918-03-23
GENERAL ASKS FOR LARGE
FOOTGEAR SUPPLY FOR SOL
DiERS IN FRANCE.
AlRPLANE MISHAPS ARE FEW
With Hundreds Of Men Learning to
Fly, War Department Records Show
Number Of Accidents at Military Avl.
alton Fields Comparatively Small.

ana is Delng uSeQ TO- DullO up re-
; serve for all troops in France. When
; such a supply is accumulated, the
quantities per man will be reduced.
! The quartermaster generals de,
partment now has on hand and due
on outstanding contracts, 7,564.O00
field shoes and 7,873OO0 marching
shoes. 1t will be necessary to secure
more than O million additional shoes
during the year.
Records Of the war department show
that from the beginning Of training in
June, 1917, to February q, 1918, the
fatalities at military aviation fields
in this country have been 81; 10 Of
flcers and 20 cadets killed in training
flights, and IL men killed in unauthor.
lied flights and ground accidents.
Since the training began in the
United States, student aviatOrs have
flown considerably more than 100000
miles. Hundreds of hitherto ineM
perienced men have been learning to
fly. Their early flights are under the
guidance of instructors, and prior to
these flights two or more months are
spent in preliminary ground work.
There comes time, however, when
every Student aviator must take his
machine up alone, and every precau'
ton has been taken to reduce the
number Of accidents and safeguard
the aviator in his solo flights.
The fuel administration Is carrying
on series Of conferences covering all
industries which use large quantities
of fuel, with view to learning the re-
Quirements Of each line during 1918.
The industries themselves are playing
leading part in these discussions.
The aim Of the fuel administration is
to arrive at a percentage Of produc-
tion which, under the circumstances,
will be satisfactory to the manufac-
turers and their workmen, but which
will not represent a consumption Of
fuel for the manufacture Of supplies
not needed during the current year.
The order which has been issued
limiting the use Of fuel for the pro-
duction of window glass to so per cent
Of the amount manufactured in 1917
Is the result Of one of these confer
ences. A survey Of the field Indicated
that while not more that 100000
boxes Of window glass would be used
in 1918, competitive conditions were
likely to result in an overmanufacture
OF at least 100000 boxes.
It Is through this system Of limita-
ton. together with large economy In
the methods of using fuel, that the
fuel administration expects to supple
ment the production of coal this year.
It is hoped, as the railroads strengthen
their facilities, that 1t will be possible
to mine and transport larger guam
tity Of coal this year than last, but 1t
Is through these methods Of reducing
consumption that a repetition Of this
years shortage Is expected to be pre-
vented.
Rifle and cartridge production in the
United States has developed in volume
and in quality On scale assuring the
according to statement authorized by
the secretary of war.
To achieve the rifle and ammunition
production program the government
has expended or has obligated itself to
expend, during 10 months Of war.
4O0,OOO,OOO, and 200 officers, $4,000
men, and 10000 women have been en-
gagged exclusively in the manufacture
Of rifles and cartridges. Two govern
ment plants and three privately owned
plants are engaged In making rifles
and one government plant and nine
privately owned plants are engaged in
cartridge manufacture. Ordnance ex-
perts in this country and in Europe
are In agreement that the United
States army is being equipped with
two Of the best three rifles In the
world.
"Stars and Stripes" is the name Of
the weekly newspaper being published
in France for American troops, under
the direction of the intelligence Sec
ton. Practically the entire paper Is
devoted to American news, including
a daily radio report of about 1,4O0
words supplied by the committee on
public information to the French gov
ernment.
Exports Of corn to Canada for feed
ing and manufacturing purposes have
been limited to those varieties and
grades which are not suitable for seed
purposes.
Divisional athletic directors who
have received commissions will accam-
pany their contingentS~ to France, ac-
cording to the war department COM
mission on training camp activities.
Boxing instructors will not be sent
with the troops, as at present the need
for these men Is considered greater