The Washington herald., 1916-06-10
The Herald's Army and Navy Department
Most News Service and Personnel Published Washington

Modern merchandising has invaded the
Quartermaster Corps of the United
States army and, according to officers
OF that corps 1t has been found more
advantageous to deal directly with the
manufacturer of army supplies than
with the horde Of jobbers who, under
former conditions. extracted a commits
sion from the sale of such supplies.
This new system applies particularly
to the purchase Of transportation sup
plies, needed In considerable quantities
According to the advocates of the new
plan. II is distinctly advantageous to deal
direct with manufacturers, because Of
the possibilities. thereby gained. for the
inspection Of plants, greater promptness
In delivery and more general efficiency
in the manufacture of articles needed
by the army.
The method employed by the Quarter
master Corps in obtaining direct compe-
tition between manufacturers will be to
specify in all bids for the purchase Of
army materials that bids from manu-
facturers will be favored. No effort,
however will be made TO cancel the COM
petitive-bid system now in effect.
There has been certain amount Of
criticism that the new plan will restrict
competition, but II is believed that the
Advantage gained by favoring manufac-
turers and thereby eliminating the mid
oleman, will offset any disadvantage re-
sulting from a possible lack of compeu-
tive bidding.
The navy is interested in the problem
of determining what construction shall
be placed upon the language of the naval
appropriation bill which specifies. in one
clause relating to navy aviation, that the
specially-created naval flying corps shall
have jurisdiction over all problems I'm
connection with the operation. mainte-
nance and activities Of aircraft in all its
phases and in the education and training
of personnel for all duties connected
herewith"
According to a strict Interpretation Of
this language, the new bill will separate
the work OF construction and repair Of
the aero force of the navy from the Bu-
reau of Construction and Repair, which
guards its province with particular
jealousy.
Apparently, the phraseology of the new
bill will need correction, according to ma
val officers, II the construction and re-
pair of aeroplsnes is to rest with the
bureau in question. As the bill stands,
IT seems TO give the newly-organized fly
ing corps full jurisdiction over the design
and construction OF aircraft in the navy.
Many officers, however. believe that the
phraseology of the bill applies only to the
maintenance of machines already de-
livered to the flying corps and that II
seeks to draw out opinions from fiers as
to new models OF aeroplanes which may
be dictated by actual service conditions.
solution OF the problem. officers believe.
will be found before the bill Is actually
passed. A change in the wording of the
bill seems almost necessary.
Army oficials continue to admit that
they are bit puzzled by the Language
Of the army reorganization bill which re-
quires all grades OF line officers TO have
certain proportion Of service with the
troops This state OF mind is further in
creased by conditions pertaining TO col
onels OF cavalry.
Under the conditions imposed by Con-
gress, there will be ffty-one cavalry
colonels and only seventeen regiments OF
cavalry troops 1t is obvious that under