Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-09

to be wanting. In view of the necessity
Of promptly meeting our new obliga-
tons, several of the principal officers
at base headquarters were replaced by
others Of greater energy.
We arrived at Brest August and
found the commanding general, q. H.
Harries, and staff at the station to meet
US. Base Section No. was built
around Brest, our leading port Of de-
barkation. The section included four
French territorial departments. An
other leading port for troops was Cher
bourg. A large locomotive terminal and
repair shop were located at Rennes and
a coal port at Granville.
It was a reminder of frontier days to
see Harries. After the campaign against
the Sioux In 1890-1691 we had been
together for several months at Pine
Ridge Agency, South Dakota, where he
was a member of commission sent to
investigate the Indians troubles and
settle their differences with the Gov
eminent, while commanded a COM
pany of Ogalala Sioux scouts. At his
headquarters we met Adm. Wilson, who,
under Adm. Sims, was commanding the
Naval District It was very gratifying
to hear from both Of these commanders
how perfectly they were pulling to-
gether.
After an inspection Of the storehouses
and the new construction for additional
storage on the piers, I asked for the
chief stevedore, Maj. O'Neil, who came
up apparently quite embarrassed. To
put him at ease took him by the
arm and we walked together to where
some lighters were being unloaded. AS
the port had made the record of han
ding $4,000 arriving troops and their
baggage in one day, May "a, entirely
with lighters, / asked him to tell me
about it.
Worked in Shirt Sleeves.
BY this time he had overcome his
fright, and pointing to two officers.
each down in the bottom Of lighter
directing the work, he said:
"Sir, do you see those two captains
down there In their shirt sleeves? Well,
that's the secret. ] say to them: Don't
stand on somewhere and puff yourselves
UP in your uniforms, but take of your
Sam Brownies and your coats and get
down close to your men
"Of course, those captains have now
become experts. I did the same thing
when I started, but since they are
trained I manage things generally and
they carry out my orders. I can wear
my uniform, now that have won the
right to wear It,"
well" said, "ONeil, you're Just
the man I have been looking for, and
] am going to send you to every port
we use to show them your secret
We next went to the large French
infantry barracks at Pontanezen. There
was a German officers prison camp at
Fort Penflela, nearby, which we found in
satisfactory condition. Incidentally, 1t
was everywhere noticeable that whether
In prison or at work the German SOL
der always retained his military bear
ing and his excellent discipline.
8. o. s. on Sound Basis.
notwithstanding the difficulties en-
countered in perfecting the organiza-
ton of the s.. o. 8. and the several
of the problems generally were being
worked out through the cooperation
Of able men in every line, and it was
evident that the plans of organization
itself Of this vast structure were on a
sound basis. With some improvements
in methods and more aggressive spirit
In some quarters there could be no
question that 1t would be able to meet
the utmost requirements.
My Visit OF Inspection put Defore the
personnel the vital significance of sue
cessful effort and Of increasing their
energy.
To relieve the q. H. @. Of many de-
tails involved in handling questions of
supply, which had been retained under
its direct supervision during the forma-
tive period, it was decided to transfer
to the s. o. s. the control of procure
ment, reception, maintenance and dis
tribution of supplies. Large questions Of
policy and the immediate direction of
military transportation and supply in
the zone of the armies and the de-
termination of quantities and the con-
troll of munitions remained under @. H.
@. The promise with which the new
arrangement began almost immediately
to operate afforded q definite indica-
ton Of early and permanent improve
ment
Some idea OF the magnitude Of this
great supply organization of the A. Z.
F. may be obtained by giving the num-
bers Of men employed in the problem
Of supply. August / there were 1,169,-
062 officers and enlisted men in the
A. z. F., of whom 275,000 pertained to
the 6. o. s., which was below require