The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-07
THERE was one great lesson which the
United States learned from the great


United States learned from the great
war. That lesson was that armies
may be improvsed and trained quickly. but
the creation of materel requires time. Not
only was II learned that time is required
to perfect materiel, but preliminary training
is the necessary accompaniment Of the pro-
duction of the machinery OF war.
In the great war America raised immense
armies and transported them with remark
able celebrity. Army cantonments were built
rapidly and successfully. But It was in the
perfection Of ordnance that the forces OF
the Republic failed
At the close of the war this country was
Just getting into it's stride. Much time had
been lost, much money had been wasted and
an immense depot of supplies was building
up behind the armies but II did not reach
the other side American airplanes were
lacking heavy ordnance was lacking: even
the necessary equipment of rifles was alb
sent
II was possible TO transport troops because
the nation had been trained to transport
thousands of passengers. IL was possible TO
build cantonments because America had been
building houses and was familiar with the
necessary equipment of modern armies. failed
70 put in its appearance on the other side.
The lesson has been taken to heart and
every effort of the War Department is now
being expended to build up materel and II
is being assisted by some of the leading in
dustrial spirits Of the country. who are keep
ing UP the same enthusiastic devotion to the
Service of their country they displayed in
the war.
A M "a mo
by Benedict Crowell, former Assistant Sec
rotary of War. has modified itself under the
name Of Army Ordnance Association and is
giving it's valuable time TO the country with
out costing the Government n single cent.
Results already beginning to show
from this combined civilian and army effort.
New and effective pieces of ordnance are
being produced, many Of which would have
been tremendously effective on the firing
hne in Europe. They were tried out ut the
Aberdeen (Md) proving grounds last week
under dramatic circumstances.
There is tactical strategy in the pro-
gramme of building these death dealing
engines. The object in view is to obtain
greater mobility in manpuvrng. and in the
ordnance shown at Aberdeen IT was proved
conc1usfvely that to-day America leads the
world in this respect.
The accomplishments so far attained are
compare lively few in number the Govern
nnent not having reached the point where it
feels justified in building up n large supply
OF ordnance materiel. What Is now benz
done Is to perfect types which will furnish
models and inspiration for future develop
ment
Maximum OF Mobility.
The object OF greater mobility in manpu-
wiring s being attained to a highly crafty
ing degree. Guns arc being perfected upon
movable carriages in n manner that viii
rcvcluiionize artillery practice Of the future
In spite 81 ne fact that in supplying ord
nance 20 thr armies on the French front tho
American War Department fell down and
Notwithstanding the slowing up Of interest
and the necessity for economy which FOB
lowed he arm-ticc. the Aberdeen expert
mcnts prove that the United States is maxi
Ing virle contribution to the worlds artil-
lcry equipment.
II IL this desire TO keep abreast Of the
worlds performances In ordnance that has
prompted the War Department TO ask for
an increased appropriation next year The
Departments appropriation last year was
s3772t69ii. The es imatcs for this year call
for an appropriation Of approximately SS14.-
600 0o0-rroro than twice as much
After the armisticc was signed the army
took stock ~ the reasons why IL was not
able TO prepare and transport ordnlnce TO
the front Tho conclusion reached was that
American industry was not trained for the
building Of ordnance with the result that
army officers INDUCED in The one sentiment
that the country must never be caught In
the same prcdcament.
II was at this point that the civilian group
organized the Army Ordnance Association.