The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1918-07-25

4 pretty SOUND organization.
Amid all the expansion of govern
nent activities due to war, with far
peaching changes in methods of con-
Quoting business, congratulations, in
grease in personnel, and addition of
wholly new departments, one big bust
aess agency of the government has
changed not at all, except in magni-
tude. That agency is the bureau of
supplies and accounts of the navy,
which purchases practically everything
sequired by the navy except arnor
plate, guns, and shells. 1t feeds and
clothes the navy, buys its steeA. met
ais, lumber, textiles, and chemicals
provides transportation for the navys
supplies, Goals it's ships, and pays its
officers and men. During the last
year this bureau has been greatly en-
sarged by the addition of new officers.
sechnical experts from civil life, and
clerical workers, but its organization
and methods have fully met all tests
ee war and have required practically
mo change, says the New York Times.
After thorough investigation. con-
greSs recently declared this great bust
ness office of the navy to be notable
sor efficiency, as well as one of the
Biggest business enterprises in the
United States.
There are two reasons for the eff
siency-an excellent business system
and an excellent business man, Adj
niral MCGOWAN, who first became
identified with the navy'S purchasing
affairs four years ago, after demon
5trating his ability as purchasing Off
ger for the American fleet when it
vent around the world
Its Chief Merit.
The chief point of merit in the
aayy's purchasing system is centrali-
zation. All its supply activities are
administered from Washington, no
matter how widely the American fleet
may be scattered over the world.
Ships are provisiOned in the West In
dies, sailors are provided with warm
Einter clothing for destroyer service
IN the submarine zone around the Brit
iSh Isles, coal is dispatched to ships
N the Philippines, nitrates are brought
from Chile, clothing is manufactured
IA New York and Norfolk, stores are
carried at innumerable points ready
for delivery to ships at instant notice.
Yet all activities center in Washington,
aud navy supply business is not only
Kept under the eyes of few execu-
siyes, but is expedited by a fine work
sas spirit
Next to Capitalization and this fine
working spirit, probably the most. i'm
s0rtant element in the system is pub
'fcfty in dealing with the supply of
nc navy's innumerable needs. Under
pressure of war other departments
aave found it eXpedient to set aside
siie normal peace-time methods of pur-
chasing under competitive bids, but the
savy has adhered to the method of
open bidding, with full publicity, on
she principle that the public, contrib
gting war funds by taxation, has a
sight to know exactly and in the full
asst detail how its money is being ex-
pended.
Another principle the navy adheres
co is that war demands should be met
by the peace-time system of purchas-
ing. Great as war demands are, they
call simply for an increase in volume
Of businessmen a change in the fun
dameutal method of conducting bust
ness. # the method has been proper
BY worked out in peace, it will meet
she eXigencieS of war.
Directed by MCGOWAN.
if every institution is the length
and shadow of one man, as Emerson
said, then the bureau of supplies and
accounts today reflects the personality
Ut Admiral MCGOWAN. When the bu-
Nau transacted It's affairs with % peo-
gle, he knew them ALL and they work
I'd under his eye every day, helped by
She optimism and energy which he ra-
Hates. After q year of war, with his
organization approaching 1000 people,
4e still knows them all and sees them
frequently, and maintains the original
spirit of organization by making I'M
limited demands upon each individual
HOt NoAh, dNNolI lll5 W lllS vi ltcI CuJdC-
ny, with unStinted coAmendation for
all good work, whether the job be
great or small.
When the strength of the navy was
about $4,000 officers and enlisted men
fire bureau OF supplies and accounts
Aid a9 It's purchasing and transporta-
tion through naval officers of the pay
masters corps. When war came, and
activities increased by several hun
bred per cent monthly. the organiza-
son was strengthened by taking on
about dozen civilian experts from
business life, men who gladly resigned
good positions and large salaries with
private business concerns to don Uncle
Sans uniform and work day and night
Dor the comparatively slender salaries
Vt naval officers.
Other purchasing departments of
he government met their early war
grobiems by enlisting advisory com
nittees Of business experts, who in
rcssigated given problems outside,
compiled facts, made arrangements, !
aKax Offnrosl Ysbo