'Mesopotamian Transport Commission. Report of the Commission Appointed by the Government of India with the Approval of the Right Hon'ble The Secretary of State for India, to Enquire into Questions Connected with the Organisation and Administration of the Railway and River Transport in Mesopotamia' [‎22v] (44/114)

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Unless special instructions are received to the contrary, India deals with
indents in rotation. There is no Priority Officer in Mesopotamia, and it is diffic ult
for India to know which indents or items of an indent should receive priority of
supply.
198. There appears to be a want of liaison between Mesopotamia and India.
It is not known in Mesopotamia, for a considerable time after indents are sub
mitted, that a particular article cannot be obtained in India ; also no advice is
forwarded to Mesopotamia showing probable date of despatch of such material
as can be supplied.
This is a very serious defect, and we are of opinion that India should keep
Mesopotamia regularly informed of the progress made in complying with indents.
General Stores. 199. We have considered the possibility of establishing a General Store for all
Directorates and are satisfied that it is only possible in the case of the Transporta
tion Services, i.e., Inland Water Transport, Railways and Port, and then only
provided that a technical transportation head is appointed, as has recently been
recommended. (See Chapter 11.)
W T e exclude Works and Ordnance because it would be most difficult to decide
priority of issue in the absence of one co-ordinating authority over these two Services
and also over the three Transportation Directorates above mentioned ; because
it would mean a considerable dislocation of work, resulting in delay and confusion
during the transition stage, and would necessitate taking up much ground and
extensive erection of sheds for storing material.
Further, ordnance stores are mostly " Vocabulary Stores ", which have been
standardised and in our opinion do not meet the needs of other Directorates.
200. There appears to us to be no good reason why arrangements for a Genera]
Store for the Transportation Services under a single controlling officer should not be
set in train as soon as the appointment of a technical transportation head has been
agreed to. The existing Inland Water Transport Store is conveniently situated
and could be expanded as required, and we recommend it should be the central
depot from which Inland Water Transport, Railways and Port could be supplied. ■
If these proposals are accepted, instead of five different Directorates submitting
indents to India, there will be three, viz.:—-
Ordnance.
Works.
Transportation.
Coal, timber and 201. Arrangements have already been made to pool all receipts of coal, timber
eil ' (of sizes) and oil, and to issue to all Directorates from a common stock.
8.—^Utilization of Oil Fuel.
(a) Inland Water Transport:
202. This important matter is receiving special attention and a large scheme
of conversion is in hand. Appendix A (3) shews the position at the beginning of
1918 and the number of conversions to be undertaken.
The conversion to oil fuel of the 45 vessels specified will effect a reduction in coal
consumption of approximately 1,440 tons weekly. The conversion of these 45
vessels is not expected to be completed before the end of 1918.
(b) Railways.
203. Utilisation of oil fuel for locomotives on Mesopotamia!! railways has been
carefully considered and there appear to be no reasons why the conversion should
not be carried out in due course ; in fact, steps have already been taken by the Direc
tor oi Railways to arrange for the oil fuel installation and manufacture of the
necessary locomotive fittings for conversion has been begun.
204. Tu is, however, essential that before locomotives are actually converted
the detailed supply to them of oil fuel should be assured.