Arizona republican., 1918-01-14
NAVY ORDN NANCE. BUREAU PRObERS
 WELL SATISFIED
Chairman Oliver of House Committee Issues State ment On Behalf of Com
 mittee Praising Work
Republican A. p. Leased wlrel


 WASHINGTON, Jan. 13.-Complete satisfaction with the work of the navy's ordnance bureau and it's pre- paredness for war is expressed by 1 Representative Oliver of Alabama, chairman of the house naval iLVesti- gation b-committee, in a state ment tonight summarizing for his colleagues results of the ordnance phase of the inquiry.
 "The testimony convinced the committee" says the statement, that the prevalent belief and opinion as to the navy's readiness are well founded"
 The statement says more than 1 LOO, merchant ships have been equipped with guns and ammunition by the navy since March If last, and that appreciable quantities of guns, large and small, with ammunition, have been furnished to England, France and Italy. Many merchant men of the allies, in addition to vir- tually the whole American merchant fleet. have been armed to fight sub marines.
 The committee was so impressed after exhaustive inquiry, by the et- ficient manner in which the bureau had in every way performed the eX- traordinary duty which war impos- ed" said Mr. Oliver, that the com mittee directed me to make a sum- mary of what was ascertained in the hearing and investigation.
 "The bureau, so far as could be learned, has fully satisfied the de- mands made upon it by the vessels operating in European waters. A letter from Vice Admiral Sims com pliments the work and spirit of the ordnance department. Other officers in the war zone, writing iE similar vein. have given like testimony.
 Personally Examined Details
 As a preliminary to it's hearings, the committee visited the offices of the bureau and personally examines details. The committee was most Ia vorablv impressed with the business organization.
 By a system of progressive re- ports and follow-up methods, pro- vision exists to insure the actual de- livery of material The signing up of a contract marks but the begin ming of action; the follow-up and thorough inspection systems and the policy of full cooperation with the manufacturer insure prompt delivery
 "The organization of the bureau in time of peace had been developed so as to make it an organization for war. with the result that it is work ing smoothly and efficiently, hot withstanding the fact that the eX- penditures have been increased from about s3,0OO,000 to more than $56O,- 100000
 Despite the pressure placed upon the bureau by the demands for more ordnance materials of standard types, it has been able to develop much new material, including large depth charges. 1tew submarine bombs, non- ricochet shells, bomb dropping sights, Howitzers, guns for throwing depth charges, smoke screen apparatus, heavier ordnance on aircraft and many other important designs which we feel it unwise to disclose, and made much progress on essential articles of lesser importance.
 Developed New Sources
 Where there were shortages in the market of various materials. the bureau took steps immediately to de- volop new sources of supply. It placed contracts rapidly, and the committee is confident that the this war are fully covered by exist ing contracts and with the capacity now under it's control.
 Reserves of ammunition and shell have been acquired, and money placed at the disposal of the bureau we find has been spent wisely anC has been been obligated practically as soon as it became authorized. Tho public had for years been preparing for war. Guns, mounts, shell, powder
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