The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-03-09
Weeks EFFECTS
BIG ECONOMIES
IN WAR OFFICE
SIashss In All Directions
Harding Ranks Him Banner
Saver Of Cabinet.
BY HARRY L. ROGERS,
International News Service.


international News Service.
The War Department Ii back upon
q pre-war basis.
Under direction Of John w. Weeks
called 1.-The business man OF the Cabi
net" the organization inherited from
the Wilson administration has dur
inJ the year Just closed been gradu
ally diminished with great savings to
the Government. 1t In claimed by Re
publican leaders.
The department has been occupied
during the year with q variety OF I'M
portant matters. Outstanding amonS
these were the adjustment inciden'
to reduction of the regular army to
150 900 men. Inauguration of the pro.
visions Of the national defense act
and the carrying out Of obligations
and duties remaining from the World
War. such az the interment of fallei,
soldiers in their final resting places,
disposal Of surplus property anc
equipment. and the adjustment OF a
great mass OF claims left over from,
the previous administration.
The major portion Of the work CT
contracting all activities OF the mil
tary establishment Ia practically
complete. What remains to be done
is being undertaken with q view to
preserving as far as possible those
parts Of the wartime organization
best suited to-, permit expansion
quickly and economically in case OF
another emergency.
Lops Off Expenditures.
When Mr.. Weeks assumed the job
Of Secretary Of War he announced
that the keynote OF his administra.
ton would be economy. He Topped
off estimates with a merciless hand.
President Harding has been
pleased with the manner in which
the heads of the various executive
departments have followed out his
program Of economy in government
but he has made no secret OF the
fact that he regards Secretary
Weeks as the banner Cabinet mem
Der I'm NO far as savings 10 the
Government are concerned.
Following are few OF the items
which 20 to make up the war De
partment's economy record:
A saving OF approximately $4,000
900 by reduction of army transport
service and withdrawal from active
operation Of 225 vessels in harbor
boat service and coast artillery boat
service; $4,000 by Limitation Of an
nual reports: $500, 900 by putting
shoe, clothing and hat repair shops
on a self.supporting basis: s1.554,,
900 through sale Of waste: $3l6,00o
by laundry operations; 100000 BY
use of stock Of compressed forage
81, 800 900 by reorganization OF sup
ply depot system. thereby reducing
rentals and personnel. $4,000 on
uniforms: $730,000 by reorganization
Of the remount service, and $l,soo,'
600 by revision Of clothing allow
ances.
These are only a few OF the
economies effected.
Where Savings Made.
In addition TO its other activities
the War Department has carried
on an enormous selling campaign
for the disposal OF vast quantities
Of surplus property. the inevitable
aftermath of the war. The total
cost value OF supplies declared sur
plus since March 4. 1921, was 1905
376,799.
Motor vehicles TO the number
OF $50 and costing approximately
S22,212,674 were transferred to the
Department Of Agriculture. and z2o
motor vehicles, costing approx
mately $3.50, 900. were transferred to
the United States Veterans Bureau
to be used for vocational training.
Upon recommendation of the War
Department the great transport
Northern Pacific was transferred
to the United States Shipping Board.
effecting a saving of about 81 ,0OO,.
900 to the Government. The United
States army transports Chaumont
and Argonne were lent to the Navy
Department, which otherwise would
have needed to estimate for new
ships.
The War Department has re-
tanned control of fourteen canton
ments. thirteen of which were used
during the war for mobilization OF
national army divisions and one for
n national guard division