Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-27

= ~ ~HH'""VVVV'VVV, or n airy
enough to pay the entire cost
OF running the United States govern
ment from 1871 up to the outbreak of
the European war. For every 100
American soldiers and sailors who
served In the war two were killed or
.died OF disease during the period of
hoshlities and 100000 men served in
the armed forces Of the nation, of
whom 100000 served in the Army
These figures. taken from a statis-
tical summary compiled under the
direction Of Col. Leonard P. Ayers,
chief Of the statistical branch of the
general staff of the Army give an
idea of Americas contribution to the
great struggle for democracy.
Col. Ayers is the only staff officer
from civil life who has risen to
position OF chief of division Of the
general staff Before the war he was
well known in statistical and educa-
tion circles as DR.. Ayers one of the
directors Of the Russell Sage Founda-
tion, at New York city. He is fellow
of the American Statistical Associa-
tion and vice president Of the Ameri-
can Association for the Advancement
OF Science, member of many other
scientific associations and the author
of considerable number of books
and articles on scientific and statis-
tical subjects.
At the outbreak Of the war Dr. Ayres
came to Washington to establish the
statistical divisions of the Council Of
National Defense, the War Industries
board. the allies purchasing commits
sion and the priorities committee.
The work Of the branch became
known In France. and Gen. Persning
cabled asking that branch office be
established at his headquarters. Col.
Ayres. with group Of his associates,
was sent to France in the spring OF
1918 for that purpose. This Office did
.. for the commander-in in chief work SINH
lar to that which had been going on for
the Secretary Of War and chief Of stafr
In washington. After returning to this
country. just before the armistice. Col.
Ayres returned to France with Presi-
dent Wilson and became chief .statisti-
work In Paris consisted largely in COM
putting relating to the indemnity and
Germanys ability to pay. Shortly after
his return he was given the distinguish
ed service medal
The publication of this report Is the
first information that the War Depart
ment had conducted such a bureau dur
ing the war. Neither the United States
war office nor that of any foreign gov
eminent has ever issued a military pub
lication like 1t. 1t Is a complete review
Of Americas participation in the war
against Germany.
The war cost the United States about
100000 an hour for over two years.
Our expenditures were sufficient to
have carried on the revolutionary war
continuously for more than 1000 years
at the rate Of expenditure which that
war actually involved.
In addition to this huge amount near
ly $4,000. 100000 was loaned by the
United States to the allies.
The Army expenditures have been
over $4,000. 100000, or nearly two-thirds
Of the total war costs.
During the first three months our
war expenditures were at the rate Of
100000 per day. During the year
they averaged more than $4,000, 900 a
day. For the final ten months Of the
p -iod. from April. 1917. to April. 1919.
the daily average was over $44.o00.000.
Although the Army expenditures are.
less than two-thirds of the total war
costs. they are nearly equal to the value
Of all the gold produced in the whole
world from the discovery Of America up
to the outbreak Of the European war.
The pay Of the Army during the war
cost more than the combined salaries Of
all the public school principals and
teachers in the United States for the
five years from 1912 to 1916
~ ~
The total war costs Of all nations were
about $1SS. 900. 900. 900. Of which the allies
spent two-thirds and the enemy one
third. The three nations spending the
greatest amounts were Germany. Great
Britain and France In that order. After