Capt. FAIR. That was discussed. They said on account of the supply of birch and hickory that they would be still more difficult to obtain. Mr. SHERLEY. You have not obligated all of the $6,000,000? Capt. FAIR. We have obligated all of the $6,000,000 and a little more than that. Mr. SHERLEY. In order to get the 40,000 wagons? Capt. FAIR. The 44,000 wagons and some new wagons; some new patterns which have been introduced since that time. Mr. SHERLEY. Do you contemplate that you will be able to spend the $4,281,000 odd dollars within any reasonable period of time? Capt. FAIR. We will spend half of that before June 30, 1918, obligate for all and maybe more. Mr. SHERLEY. You do not expect to spend any of it before that? Capt. FAIR. We expect the contractors to commence delivery in February, and we want to try to pay the people as fast as we can. Mr. SHERLEY. You will not make the contracts until February? Capt. FAIR. We will let the contracts as soon as we can arrange for the supply and for the deliveries to commence in February. Mr. SHERLEY. There will be no demand for the money before February? Capt. FAIR. Except for a portion of it. Capt. DALY. We have exceeded the $6,000.000 by the total obligations. Mr. SHERLEY. To what extent? Capt. DALY. $8,260,791. Mr. SHERLEY. Then you have really a leeway of only $2,000,000? Capt. FAIR. Yes, sir. MOTOR VEHICLES AND SUPPLIES. The CHAIRMAN. The next item is purchase of motor-propelled trucks for official military garrison purposes, including the purchase and issue of supplies, $127,000,000. How much was allotted for this purpose? Capt. DALY. $122,456,018. The CHAIRMAN. What was to be purchased with that amount? Maj. DRAKE. The original estimate was The CHAIRMAN (interposing). I mean the number of vehicles and their character? Maj. DRAKE. I do not remember. The CHAIRMAN. 4,210 automobiles, touring, at $1,000; 1,310 runabouts, at $850? Capt. DALY. The unit prices that are given in that differ materially from the unit prices which we have here. The CHAIRMAN. In the estimates that were submitted it was $136,432,600. Are you acquiring these vehicles at less or higher prices? Capt. DALY. I do not think the price is any less. The CHAIRMAN. The vehicles purchased out of the appropriation already made? Maj. DRAKE. The prices are all materially higher now. The CHAIRMAN. Taking the touring automobile at $1,000, what type of car are you buying now? Maj. DRAKE. We can get the Studebaker type for approximately $1,000. The Chandler will come in for about $1,200. The CHAIRMAN. 1,310 runabouts at $850. What are you paying for them? Maj. DRAKE. At the present time we are paying a little under that. The CHAIRMAN. For what type? Maj. DRAKE. We are using the Dodge type at $730. The CHAIRMAN. 29,730 trucks-cargo-at $2,800, $83,244,000. Capt. DALY. Our figures at 31,208 motor trucks at $4,000, and 3,000 light motor trucks at $2,000. The CHAIRMAN. Are you buying them out of the other appropriation? Capt. DALY. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. After the estimates were submitted was the heavier type of truck determined on? Maj. DRAKE. We have changed the type of truck to agree with the specification requirements. The CHAIRMAN. You have standardized? Maj. DRAKE. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Is it a heavier truck than was originally contemplated? Maj. DRAKE. Yes, sir; it is. We call it a one and one-half ton capacity, but commercially it ranges between two and two and a half tons. The CHAIRMAN. After you had arranged for certain trucks, did not the specifications finally adopted provide for a truck of heavier more durable construction? Maj. DRAKE. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. And the cost was to be in excess of what was originally contemplated? Maj. DRAKE. Yes, sir. Capt. DALY. The first time the three-ton truck was used to any large extent in the Army was down in Mexico. The trucks down there had to be of the heavier type. The CHAIRMAN. Was not a heavier type adopted? The CHAIRMAN. Is the truck you are using now of any particular concern or a type which has been developed? Maj. DRAKE. We are buying from the manufacturers, but we are working on the development of one standard truck. The CHAIRMAN. To what point has the development of the standard truck been brought? Maj. DRAKE. We hope to have one built by the end of next month. The CHAIRMAN. Will that be of such a character that it can be built generally by the truck manufacturers? Maj. DRAKE. Yes, sir. It will be a truck with all units interchangeable from one truck to another. The engine will be standardized, the differential and everything will be standardized, so that it can be taken from one truck and put in another truck. That will diminish the supplying of spare parts by millions of dollars. The CHAIRMAN. None has yet been built? Maj. DRAKE. No. The CHAIRMAN. Is this an experimental truck which is being built or is it part of an order? Maj. DRAKE. It is an experimental truck. The Quartermaster Department is working with the Society of Automobile Engineers and Automobile Manufacturers in developing this truck at the present time. The CHAIRMAN. Is this truck now being built to be tested out before finally being determined upon? Maj. DRAKE. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. What is it estimated that this standardized type will cost? Maj. DRAKE. We estimate that we can produce that truck for about $3,500. Capt. DALY. There is only one type of truck that we are buying that exceeds $4,000, and that is the Locomobile truck, which costs $4,071. Maj. DRAKE. That is without the body, which costs about $250. The CHAIRMAN. The department has been working with the Automobile Manufacturers' Association for the standardization of the trucks? Maj. DRAKE. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Are the plants of the various concerns of such a character that they can be adapted to turn these trucks out rapidly? Maj. DRAKE. Yes, sir. All the manufacturers who now make assembled trucks will be ready to turn them out in very short order and in large quantities. The CHAIRMAN. There were 1,090 motor trucks, repair and kitchen at $3,200, $3,448,000. What class of truck is that? Maj. DRAKE. Those trucks are now all lumped in the 31,308. It is the same type of truck, only used for a different purpose. The CHAIRMAN. That includes also the 2,180 supply trucks? The CHAIRMAN. It is a different body? Maj. DRAKE. It is the same type of truck with a different body. The CHAIRMAN. What are the 60 machine trucks at $7,500 each? Maj. DRAKE. Those are trucks equipped with machinery, lathes, vises, and all sorts of small tools to effect repairs by the roadside. The CHAIRMAN. 220 wrecking and mess cars at $1,500? Maj. DRAKE. Those are now included in the number. The CHAIRMAN. 3,670 motorcycles, at $280? Maj. DRAKE. The new estimate calls for 7,500 motorcycles. The CHAIRMAN. These motorcycles, at $280, are they the motor. cycles with the outrigging on? Maj. DRAKE. No. The CHAIRMAN. What do you call that? Maj. DRAKE. The side car. The CHAIRMAN. How do you characterize them? Maj. DRAKE. Motorcycle with side car. The CHAIRMAN. You are acquiring some of them? Maj. DRAKE. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Under what head do you get them? Maj. DRAKE. I include those in the motorcycles, at $350 each. Maj. DRAKE. We did not have them in because they were not specified. Now they are specified. The CHAIRMAN. Some have been purchased? Maj. DRAKE. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. How much do they cost? Maj. DRAKE. The side car will cost about $80. The CHAIRMAN. What will it carry-two or three? Maj. DRAKE. Just one. The CHAIRMAN. The side car carries one? Maj. DRAKE. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. And one on the motorcycle? Maj. DRAKE. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Has that been found to be a very desirable method of transportation? Maj. DRAKE. Yes, sir. It works better than the motorcycle alone over rough roads; it stabilizes the machine. Of course, it is a little heavier wear. The only place The CHAIRMAN. Are they serviceable in the field? Maj. DRAKE. Those are small shops that will work along the line of communication, providing tools, etc., in excess of those provided for in the machine-shop trucks. The CHAIRMAN. Are they portable shops? Maj. DRAKE. Yes, sir; they are capable of being moved. They are just small repair shops for a lot of the heavier tools that can not be transported on the trucks. The CHAIRMAN. What are you proposing now to purchase out of the new appropriation, $127,000,000? Maj. DRAKE. The excess comes in the cost. The number of automobiles we did not change, 4,210, but the cost is greater. The CHAIRMAN. What do you propose to pay now? Maj. DRAKE. We propose to get better machines for the general officers than we provided for before. The CHAIRMAN. To cost how much? Maj. DRAKE. Possibly $2,500. The CHAIRMAN. What is the need for a different type of car? Maj. DRAKE. The experience abroad is that we treat our own officers in a very shabby manner, whereas the foreign officers use Locomobiles and Loziers, $5,000 and $6,000 cars. It does not look well for our men to be running around in these cars. The CHAIRMAN. How many of those cars do you propose to purchase? Maj. DRAKE. I have estimated for 210. The CHAIRMAN. At $2,500 each? Maj. DRAKE. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. The information which you have is to the effect that the general officers of the allied armies abroad have use for cars? Maj. DRAKE. Yes, sir; they have use for them all the time. They use high-power cars so that they can get around quickly. The CHAIRMAN. What type of car do you propose to use? Maj. DRAKE. I think that we can purchase cars of the Cadillac and the Packard types. The CHAIRMAN. What are they, five or seven passenger cars? Maj. DRAKE. They will be five-passenger cars. They have both five-passenger and seven-passenger cars. Gen. SHARPE. One of the officers informed me that horses are never made use of by officers on the other side except in the way of exercise for the officers. On any official duty, in order to save time, they have to go about in an automobile. You rarely see an officer mounted, unless he is out taking exercise; he always goes in a car. The CHAIRMAN. Your information is that the oflicers find it of great advantage to travel by motor transportation? Gen. SHARPE. Yes, sir; they travel entirely that way; they can cover so much more ground and in a shorter time with the automobile than if they resort to any other means of travel. The CHAIRMAN. Is that done out on the field where the operations are being conducted? Gen. SHARPE. That is my understanding; yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. You are proposing 4,000 cars at $1,000 each? Maj. DRAKE. Those are for general use of officers with the divisions and army corps and for general service. The CHAIRMAN. I have no knowledge of machines. This figures a car for about every 10 officers in the Army. Are these cars used exclusively by officers or are they used generally for transportation? Maj. DRAKE. Many of them are used generally for transportation purposes, transportation of men, messengers, and so on. Some of them are assigned to individual officers, like aides to the general officers, the active generals, medical inspectors, and officers of that character. The CHAIRMAN. A car is assigned to a single officer who has a great deal of traveling to do? Maj. DRAKE. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. If you did not assign a car, he would probably have to travel on a horse? Maj. DRAKE. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. The motor transportation has practically revolutionized things? Maj. DRAKE. Yes, sir. It is such a time saver. There is no question about the advisability of furnishing a large number of these cars for official use of officers. The CHAIRMAN. 1,310 runabouts, at $850 each? Maj. DRAKE. Those are for service with the motor-truck companies the officers in command of the motor-truck companies. These trucks are organized into companies of 30 each under the charge of an officer. The car is for his use. The CHAIRMAN. A runabout is assigned to each company? Maj. DRAKE. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. There are 30 trucks to a company? Maj. DRAKE. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. 31308 motor trucks, at $4,000 each, $125,232,000. Maj. DRAKE. They are the trucks authorized for the divisional and corps trains and the line of communication. We estimate also for a number of trucks for depot use and general purposes, which are included in that. The CHAIRMAN. You are paying $4,000 instead of $2,800 for the motor trucks? |