The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-05-07

shipping situation, France in Deem
Der would produce only about half of
the current output. 1t was apparent,
therefore, that to avoid calamity the
United States must not only furnish
powder and explosives for all Of its
own forces, but must supply about
half the French requirements and the
War department was so advised.
By this arrangement large saving
of tonnage would be effected, as the
weight of raw materials was ten to
twenty times that of the finished prod
duct. AS nitrateS for the manufacture
of powder and explosives had to be
imported from Chill, the hazard to
shipping would be reduced by avoiding
the long haul to France. Millions of
dollars were expended in the construc-
ton of plants at home in an attempt
to produce nitrates, but none had been
turned out before the end of the war.
Dawes Made Supply Chief.
In view of the uncertainty of obtain
ing more than a limited amount Of
ocean tonnage 1t was natural that we
should procure abroad as large a pro-
portion of supplies as possible, and our
supply department began at once to
make inquiries to meet the demands
for construction material, subsistence
stores and engineering equipment.
Many sources of general supply had
been developed by the French and we
soon found ourselves not only in COM
petition with them and the British but
our different departments also began
to bid against each other.
To my mind the solution seemed to
be merely a matter of coordination.
Therefore, I established a purchasing
board to consist of one or more repre-
sentatives of each service making pur-
chases of any sort, including the Red
Cross and Y. M. G. A.
Lieut.. Col. Charles G. Dawes, Sew
enteenth engineers, well known as
man of large business experience, was
appointed as the head of this board,
the members of which were to meet
tive needs and then agree among them
selves as to where and by which de-
partment such purchase was to be
made, thus mutually assisting instead
of competing with each other. Under
the arrangement cooperation with the
French was established and the agency
became increasingly effective in han
ding our procurement activities.
Couldn't Depend on French r. RS.
The use of railways for the move
ment of troops and supplies had never
before attained any such proportions
as in the World war and there was no
service except sea transportation upon
which we placed greater dependence
for our success.
It was apparent that we could not
depend on the French without great
risk of failure at critical moment
and it was evident that If we expected
the maximum efficiency in this service
we must provide our own personnel as
well as additional locomotives and
cars, all to be as far as practicable
under American management.
With this plan in view commendable
progress had been made toward both
procurement and organization by Col
onel Taylor, and complete estimates
for rolling stock and construction at
ports, terminals and yards, including
an accurate survey of building and
equipment requirements, had been
made under his direction by Maj. W. j.
Wilgus, formerly vice president of the
New York Central, afterward a colonel,
who had been a member of the Par
sons board. These estimates without
change served as permanent guide
for railway construction plans and
material.
Creation of Transportation Corps.
AS coordinate with the procurement
and maintenance of material and
equipment we were confronted with
| the vital question of organization for
operation and management, but we
had no officers in the regular service
of sufficient experience in railway man.
agement to insure success. Therefore
| the evident course to pursue, to which
| the precedent Of both British and
| French pointed the way, was to create
transportation corps Immediately
under the direction of some man Of
outstanding reputation In the railroad