Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1918-05-23

oiSIcuCe IOr tue FORCES In the united
States, subsistence for the forces over
sea, food inspection, purchase, plan
ming, field bakeries and the like.
Branches of these subdivisions spe-
cialize In beef, in milk, in flour, in
canned goods and other required foods.
The proportions Of single purchases are
almost staggering. The other day the
division was casting about for little
matter Of 100000 cans Of soup to
supply the army for a stated period
And so 1t goes down through some
$50 items Of supply running from ham
to shoe strings and from metal polish
to macaroni.
Formerly the work of the food pur-
chase was distributed. Depot quarter
masters In various sections Of the
country bought supplies in conformity
with the tone of their localized market
area. Soon, however, it became clear
that this function must be centralized
in Washington under the control of the
divisional experts. AS a result the di-
vision operates along lines of high eff
constantly the state of supplies at
home and abroad, enabling it to follow
any commodity from the point of pro-
duction to the port Of embarkation,
while the volume of purchase permits
direct relation with the manufacturer
and the elimination of the middleman.
By the application Of this central con-
troll principle there was saved to the
government in the purchase of ration
items needed for the month of April
$161 ,75O.59.
This centralized control is also a
factor in expeditions action. Not long
ago there came from General Pershing
a requisition for 24OOO,OOO rations to
be supplied Eat once" BY the terms
ration" 1t should be explained, is
meant the complete food supply Of
one soldier for one day. Within TWEEN
ty-four hours the division had located
points of production capable Of sup
plying this large demand, had placed
the orders and was able to report the
fulfillment of the requisition under
way.
System Of Purchasing.
While the buying Is thus controlled,
the actual purchases are not made in
Washington. The purchase depots at
various points telegraph to the divi-
sional officers price quotations on sup
plies, with recommendations as to their
acceptance. The divisions experts
study them in connection with their
market reports and confidential lists
of prices from the big food industries.
Then from the divisional offices goes
the telegraphed word to the depots to
purchase or decline.
From the, depots the food goes to
the various camps and environments,
where it is issued to the fighting organ
izations by the quartermaster In
charge. Each company, battery or
troop, each separate detachment, oper-
ates it's own kitchen with it's enlisted
cooks working under a mess sergeant.
Here the food is prepared for break.
fast, dinner and supper.
| The wholesomeness Of every food
article must be assured before 1t can
be placed in the soldiers possession
| The army's system of inspection is
thorough and uncompromising. It be-
gins at the source of supply and con
tinues until the food is actually CON
sumed. The records at Washington
show the capabilities, character and
standard Of every establishment pur-
veying food to the army. The inspec.
tors know fruits, vegetables, meat and
other articles Of purchase. The army
specifications are clear and exact. They
must be met. The inspectors make
sure they are met. And the receiving
officers at the depots. assuring them
selves that there has been no deterio.
ration in shipment, thus make their
contribution to that continual inspec.
ton which ceases only when the food
has ceased to exist.
The bureau of markets Of the de.
partment of agriculture, with repre-,
sentatiyes throughout the country
whose duty 1t is to report on condi
tons in the perishable food markets
gives full help to the army inspection
The bureau of chemistry of the same
department also lends its powerful as
/ sistance, carefully examining and ana