The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-02-13
MORE ALLIED SHIPS
 WILL BE AVAILABLE
 SOON, BAKERS HOPE
Secretary Gives Details of Tonnage Now Ready for Trans portation of Troops and Supplies Senate Commit
 tee Has Practically Concluded Its Inquiry
0 Pass on Contracts.

director of supplies and purchases for I final wise.
 To Pass on Contracts. 'In the case of very large orders it is likely that the director of pur- | chases and supplies will pass upon the contract both before and after it's making.
 '"The same system will prevail in the letting of contracts for other ma. | terials needed for the army-clothes, | shoes, drugs uniforms, food, etc.
 1.-The office of the Director of Pur- chases and Supplies thus becomes a clearing house for all orders placed by the War Department, although the actual details of the contracts will be handled as heretofore by the subor- dinate bureaus. The Director of PIr- chases and Supplies is the overhead purchasing agency, with a general eye on the industrial field and a com prehensive grasp of production con dtions and prices.
 '~The Director of Purchases and Supplies is empowered to determine priority where two branches of the war department require the same ar | ticle.
 'Tn the event the War Department should require some article also re- quired by the navy or other depart ments, or the Allied countries, the Director of Purchases and Supplies will confer with purchasing repre- sentative of the other department, and the War Industries Board, and priorities then will be determined. For the internal requirements o1 the War Department alone the direc- tor, Gen. Pierce, is the arbiter of pri- ority, and, exercising this function, will avail himself of the advice of the Surveyor of Purchases and Supplies, MT. Stettinius.
 'tIt is planned that under this sys- tenn there shall be coordination sys- tenn and overhead regulation in the branches s-signal, medical, engineers, Quartermaster and ordnance"
 Continuing, the statement says:
 'Tn addition to his duties as Guar termaster General, Major Gen. George w. Goetha1s will act as Director of Storage and Traffic. In this latter capacity Gen Goethals will direct pri- critics of storage and war traffic in the United States, the enbarkation of supplies and troops, inland war trans portation and storage at inland points, embarkation points and overseas points
 "In exercising these duties Gen | Goetha1s must work in conjunction with the Shipping Board, the Direc tor General of Railroads and the sev' eral supply bureaus. He will, o: course, maintain cooperative rela tions with the overhead Division O Purchases and Supplies headed b! Gen. Pierce, which furnishes the sup plies for storage or traffic. | Jervey Acting Director. l AUnder the reorganization plan Z permanent director of operations il to be named. This officer will direc the operations of all branches of the army, including tank and gas service recruiting, mobilization movement and distribution of troops, construe ton plans and projects, assignments equipment, overseas priorities, decis ion as to camp sites, cantonments ana posts and personnel At present Brig Gen. B. Jervey is acting for the Gen eral Staff in this capacity.
 There is also to be appointed { permanent executive assistant to thu Chief of Staff, who will direct mill tary intelligence, administration ant control, acquisitions and permits, pro motions and assignments, translation and compilation, fire prevention ant other administrative matters. Thi work is now in charge of Brig. Gen W. S. Graves of the General Staff.
 '-The Fifth Division will be headet by the president of the War College In the absence of Brig. Gen. P. D Lockridge, President Col D. " Ketcham is acting. This assistant t the Chief of Staff will supervise wa plans, organizations of all branche of the army, research and inventions tactics, the training of the army, tn methods of warfare, military schools projects for national defense, regula lions, rules and publications. Cooperating with the Secretar of War and the Chief of Staff is tn, War Council, of which the Assistan Secretary of War is a member. Thi body occupies an advisory capacity il major problems and in the formation } of departmental policies"