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Show PQ LCK OF ORDNANCE FOR TROOPS ABROAD WASHINGTON, Dec. 12. Delays and efficiencies in supplying the army with ordnance were detailed and explained today to-day by Major General Crozier, chief or ordnance, to the senate military committee com-mittee at the beginning of the general inquiry planned by congress into conduct con-duct of the war. The initial hearing was public and will be continued tomorrow with General Crozier on the stand. Later executive sessions will be held for discussion of subjects involving military secrets. That ihere is a shortage of ordnance at home for training purposes. General Crozier admitted, but he said there is no- shortage "on the other side" and will be none. It has been possible, he said, to purchase English and French artillery for use in Europe and he predicted pre-dicted that by next summer the principal prin-cipal ordnance shortages for training purposes would be met. Delays in supplying ordnance, General ; Crozier explained, have been due to several causes, including time taken for cbnsidering estimates and appropriations ; before congress and labor difficulties in private plants. He said there is no short- ; age of' skilled munition labor in this ; country and told of a plan to retain such labor which may be submitted to con- gress. Contracts for ordnance let on the "cost plus a percentage profit" plan, the. gen- i eral declared, have been economical for the government. . Although detailed questioning of General Gen-eral Crozier was deferred several committee com-mittee members inquired particularly regarding re-garding preparations made in anticipation anticipa-tion of war last spring and appeared dissatisfied with what they learned. General Crozier explained many advance preparations, including a census of munition mu-nition manufacturers, and said everything every-thing possible was done. In further examination of General Crozier and of other department, heads, including Secretary Baker, committee members plan to go fully into the question ques-tion of clothing and ammunition as well as ordnance supplies - and predict a lengthy inquiry. Investigation of the navy's war preparations prepar-ations and plans also is planned within a few weeks. Senator Swanson, who acts as chairman of the senate naval affairs committe'e In Senator Tillman's absence, said today that after the holidays his committee planned to begin the naval inquiry. "We propose to find out if everything Is going right and how the money is being and is to be spent," he said, adding, add-ing, however, that there had not been so many reports regarding difficulties affecting the naval branch. |