The Washington herald., 1918-06-24
Big GUNS BILL
SHOWS INTENT
TOCRUSH HUNS
Report Calls for. Artillery
to Support Army Of
100000.
WORKS NOW BUILDING
Government Plant Near
Pittsburgh Will Supply
Full Needs.
WORKS NOW BUILDING

The so-called fortihcations bill, re-
ported to the House Saturday. appro-
priating 5.4S5. .0e6.2 for ordnance and
ammunition, reveals more about this
nations war program and prepara-
tions than any similar measure since
the outbreak of hostilities.
1t Is now almost a daily occurrence
for the cables to bring announcements
from high government officials in
England, France and Italy Of the
great strength the United States is
exerting in the war. and Of her am
bilious plans to crush the imperial
istic aims OF the military autocrats
Of Germany. Some of these state
ments bear the stamp Of authoritative
information gained by, diplomatic
agents from high officials In Washing
ton, while others contain deductions
based upon press reports.
Nothing even IN speculation. In
Washington or the allied capitals, has
approached the cold facts Of how the
United States intends to prosecute the
war, as they are made plain In the
report to the House Recommending
the appropriation. Of billions of dol
lars TO equip an army strong enough
In man power and gun power to smash
its way into the heart Of Berlin.
Would Have Been Laughed At.
year ago any such plan would
have been laughed at by friend as
well as foe. But p year ago, or six
months ago. the announcement that
the United States would have 1,00o,-
900 troops in France or on the sea
by July l, 1918, would have been
laughed at, in q friendly spirit, by
the military men and government
officials of the friendly nations and
with scorn by the military masters
Of Germany. Br. they will be there
and 100000 = already either in
France C ~ the sea.
The plans behind the new ord
nance and ammunition appropri-
alton contemplate an army of at
least 100000 men. Those most ia =
miliar with military problems say
that the plans call for three field
armies of 1,375,0O0 men each, or
more than 100000 men all told.
Representative Borland. chair
man of the Committee on Fortifi-
cations, said in submitting the re-
port:
Il can draw from this program #
big guns one inference and that
is that the American army will be
prepared to cross the Rhine In full
force and full strength commensu-
rate with any obstacle which they
may encounter"
He said that no other plans were
laid before the committee except for
equipping 100000 men for field ope-
ratioRs in France. The inference.
however. from the program for big
guns was plain to all.
The question that would have been
asked a year ago, or six weeks ago
would have been: Where is the gov
ernment going to get these guns?"
To he Made At Home,
The answer to the question has al
ready been given. The government
Will get the guns and ammunition right
here at home. from government con-
structed plants, and will get all the
guns and all the ammunition for them
tnat II needs at the time IL needs
them.
This answer is made possible nv
the most remarkable reorganization
and development Of a government field
~'SA hSSOiuCd. Inc Or0nanCa
Bureau OF the War Department was
an organization Of 81 officers OPERATING
with yearly appropriations OF abont
Sl4eooIO00 when this country could no
longer withhold a declaration on wa
against the Imperial German govern
ment. Its first efforts at exna nsjon
and In dealing with the big probIem,
or the war appeared to be exasperaf-
ingly slow and haiting and were The
subject of severe Congressional crjti-
cism.
Finally with an infusion OF nav
blood and some of the best brains ~
the country, and a thorough re-orean-
zatlon under the personal supervision
OF secretary OF War Baker, the Ord
nance Bureau of the War Department
began to take on the most phenomenal
growth and strength of any depart-
ment or the government and fs now
IN the position where no contract for
tne supply of equipment, small arms
biS guns and ammunition can starger
1t. - scr
An? Nu-ibcr OF Rifles.
Production of rifles is rapidly an
preaching the 100000 mark. II can
De speeded up at any time and enough
OF the modified Enfield rides, now the
army standard ard pronounced the
oest rifle OF the war of any army
friend or foe, to equip and give plenty
o. spare rifles fer an army of I,OO0. 600
men, can be made ready as soon as
Inc men are ready to receive their
arn:.
production Of the Browning machine
guns. OF both heavy and light type,
Is increasing In a wonderful ratio al
most daily. II the military authori-
ties should deem It advisable to make
CONTINUED ON PAGE rwo