Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-05-02

OF European manufacturers, from
whom only 1t formerly could bs sb-
tained, Is now being produced for mill
tary use by the bureau Of standards Of
the United States department Of COM
merce and several privately owned
factories. One shipment from the glass
factory In Pittsburgh, for use BY the
navy department, contained $50 pounds
OF high-grads optical glass-enough
to provide lenses for probably $50
binoculars.
Development In glass manufactur-
Ing In the United States has been slmi-
lar to that of dye making. Before the
war manufacturers OF optical goods in
this country were content to import
all their glass from Europe, them
selves doing only the grinding, polish
ing. and mounting. European glass
factories. one Of the three largest be-
Ing located in England. one in France.
and one in Germany were closely
guarded to protect secrets Of the trade
sometimes century old. It was con-
sidered impossible to produce eniclent
glass without formulas and factory
processes developed by many years Of
experimentation.
One Of the problems facing the bu-
reau Of standards when, with optical
companies In America, 1t started to re-
place with locally made products the
supply of European optical glass which
had been cut off by the war, was to
provide suitable pots for melting. In
one process of its manufacture the
glass must be kept at temperatures as
high. as 1000 degrees f., when It
would rapidly dissolve a container
made of iron. steel. or other metal.
Pots now being used which satisfac-
torily Withstand the heat and chemical
actions Of molten glass are made Of
clay found in the United States.
In addition to the factory operated
by the bureau Of standards at Pitts
burgh., several privately owned COM
panies are now furnishing optical glass
for military use in telescopes, binocu-
lars. field glasses, periscopes, and 9TH
er technical and scientific instruments.
The quartermaster corps. charged
with the responsibility of feeding and
clothing the soldiers. Is rigldly inspect
ing the food purchased for the troops
to see that only pure articles are sup
piled. AS IN Indication of the amount
Of food that must he obtained, says a
statement authorized by the quarter
master general 100000 men con-
sumo daily 100000 pounds Of beef,
225.00O pounds of bacon, 10000
pounds of ham. 135,OOO cans Of toma-
toes, and 225,OOO cans of jam-with
other. articles aggregating 6,75O,OOO
pounds.
These quantities of foodstuffs are
subjected: ito thorough inspection,
which begin ut the source aud con-
tinue until the food is actunlly con-
sumed. Each depot Of the quarter
master corps is central subsistence
business of its own, supplying the
camps. cantonments, aviation fields,
and other posts In Its territory. The
subsistence officers are held RESPONSE
BILE for the quality of the goods they
receive.
Before the supplies reach the depots,
however, they are passed upon by In
spectors in the packing houses. can
neries, and other sources Of origin.
The records at Washington show the
capabilities, character, and standard
of every establishment furnishing food
for the army. The specifications
which their products must meet are
clear and exact.
The inspection branch maintains Z
current file of unreliable dealers and
unreliable products, insuring the elm
ination Of dealers who, having been
denied the right to supply some of the
many depots Of the army, make sub
sequent attempts to obtain contracts
at other points.
Relatives and friends Of several sol.
diers in army camps have been VIC
timized by swindlers who wired OF
wrote for funds under soldiers names.
In each instance 1t was requested that
money be sent by wire waving identi.
fication. or by mail to general delivery,
the customary explanation being that
the soldier had been discharged and
would have no way of securing iden-
tification, nor Of getting mail address
ed to his company.
The following is typical telegram,
sent to the father of soldier in
southern camp:
"Have been discharged. Coming
home. Going to Atlanta through coun-
try tonight. Please wire me SEQ at
Atlanta SOL may pay for uniform and
come home direct. Wave identifica.
'tion as. am not known In Atlanta.
Wire cash quick SO l can get 1t to-
morrow morning."
Before being complied with, any 70.
quest for money to be sent under such
conditions should be verified BY q let.
ter or telegram to the commanding Of.
f1cer Of the camp in which the man
whose name is signed to the request 10
stationed.
Tile United States government is
loo ing for men who can take charge
of l,ranch Offices of the bureau Of for.
.eign and domestic commerce, depart
ment of commerce, and men to act az
assistants In these offices. Branches
are located in the principal CONNER
cial cities. The salaries range from
Sl,800 to $1,000 for managers and
from 81 200 to $500 for assistants.
A noncompetitive examination will
be held MAY 16 In yarious narts of tl,a