The San Francisco call., 1897-03-06
BUSINESS METHODS IN THE NAVY.

The Union Iron Works and the Cramps have
presented claims for several hundred thou
sand dollars, which these firms allege to have
lost on the Olympia, Oregon and other ships
through delays and changes on the part OF the
Navy Department. To those familiar with the
business methods of some of the bureaus the
claims do not appear extravagant, for the
builders have been sadly hampered, notably
through non-delivery of armor and guns.
1t has been the aim of four successive Secre-
taries to improve the business methods OF the
Navy Department. Chandler called attention
fifteen years ago to the need OF reform, and
Whitney inaugurated system devised by
COmmodores Brown and Meade, lieutenant
of marines and a lieutenant OF the Washington
navy. 1t is, perhaps, needless to say that the
system found little favor and failed to work
Secretary Tracy also essayed to organize sys-
tenn upon the foundation of which the present
Secretary has built up the existing business
methods of the supplies and accounts OF the
navy. 1t is all very we'll so far as it goes, but
no plan has yet been devised by which bureau
chiefs and clerks can be made to attend to
business, and 1t is on this account that nearly
81 900, 900 extra expense is claimed by the
contractors.
Judging from the mum berless forms of blanks,
quadruplicate acquisitions and reports, the
convenlng of boards of high rank officers to
sit as jury to determine the cost of repairs to
a chair with broken leg, and the many other
intricate methods by which the public in
terest is guarded, the system is no doubt
success, and it has only this one fault, that
the object is lost sighs ct in order to carry out
ali the preliminaries to their final end The
commanding officer although he may be an
admiral, has but little to say as to how things
might be expedited, for he is tied up with the
same red tape that extends from Washington
to the Atlantic seaboard and back to the Pa
cifc Coast.
A little incident which occurred about nine
years ago at Mare Island will illustrate what
the so-called business methods were then. and
how much room there was for an improve
ment. 1t was during Commodore RusselPs
time that two boats were ordered built with
out delay for the Ranger. They were of the
Ingersoll patent without frames, and having
instead double skin of planking.
half-dozen men were set to work on each
boat, and the work went along with a rush
until the outer thickness of planking was
ready to go in place. The foreman boat
builder then made requisition for one bolt of
canton flannel, but none was to be found in
the storehouse The commodore promptly
telegraphed to the proper bureau in Washing
ton for permission to purchase one bolt of
canton flannel. The chief OF the bureau wired
the next day, "What is the canton flannel
wanted forT' The commodore promptly re-
piled, For the Rangers boats" Still the
chief was not satisfied In his mind that all was
right and inquired by telegraph, ''Will moth
ing but canton flannel answer the purpose?"
The commodore answered laconically, mo"
On the fourth day after the telegraphic corre-
| spondence had begun a dispatch came from
Washington authorizing the purchase of the
canton flannel. and on the following day the
stuff came up from San Francisco by express,
its purchase having been ordered by telegraph
from the yard.
AS a business transaction the account stood
thus: kilograms, $7 20; cost of one bolt of
canton flannel, So; total cost of the flannel.
$12 20. This, however, does not cover the
actual expense of the flannel, for during the
four days telegraphic correspondence two
gangs of men were practically idle, and allow
ing that they worked one-halt OF the time
there still remains $1OS (at the rate of 81 SO a
day to each many to be charged to the canton
flannel, thus making its total cost $40 20.
The difference of $115 20 might have been
saved If the commandant had been intrusted
with discretion in the matter, but then 1t was
the navy's way of doing business system
somewhat complicated and not suited to the
ways of civilians.
1t is alleged now that with the lew system
no such extraordinary delays and expenses
| are incurred, and yet the contractors COM
plain.