The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-01-16
navy IS EFFICIENT.
INVESTIGATION BROUGHT TO
TO LIGHT INTERESTING WAR
FACTS.
Tho Committee Is Well Pleased-Guns,
All Sizes, and Ammunition Have
Been Furnished Allies and Their
Vessels Armed.

Washington, Jan. Incomplete
satisfaction with the work Of the
navys ordnance bureau and it's pro-
paredness for war is expressed by
Representative Oliver of Alabama.
chairman of the house naval investi-
eating subcommittee, in statement
tonight. summarizing for his col
leagues results Of the ordnance phase
of the inquiry.
"The testimony convinced the COM
mittee." says the statement, that the
prevalent belief and opinion as to the
navy's readiness are we'll founded"
Many interesting facts brought out
In secret sessions are disclosed by the
chairman. Among other things he
says more than eleven hundred mer-
chant ships have been equipped with
guns and ammunition by the navy
since the steamer Campania was At
ted out March IA last. and that ap-
preciable quantities Ut guns. large
and small, with ammunition for them,
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 SUBJ
marines.
"The committee was so impressed
after the exhaustive inquiry by the
efficient manner in which the bureau
had in every way performed the ex-
traordinary duty which war imposed,
says Mr.. Oliver, that the committee
directed me to make a summary 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 let
ter from Vice Admiral Sims compli-
ments the work and spirit of the ord
nance department. Other officers in
I ths@war zone. writing in similar vein,
have given like testimony
AS a preliminary to it's hearings
the committee visited the Offices OF
the bureau and personally examined
into the organization and operation of
the administrative details. The COM
mittee was most favorably impressed
with the business organization. In
quiry revealed the fact that practical
ly all letters are answered on the day
Of their receipt. BY a system of
progress reports and follow-up meth
DDS provision exists to insure the ac-
tual delivery Of material. The sign
ing up Of a contract marks but the
beginning of action.
"The organization Of the bureau In
time of peace has been developed so
as to make it an organization for war
with the result that it is working
smoothly and efficiently notwithstand-
ing the fact that the expenditures
have increased from about $4,000. 900
to more than $3.50. 100000.
Despite the pressure placed upon
the bureau by the demands for more
ordnance material of standard types.
1t has been able to develop much new
material. including large depth
charges, new 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 ar.
ticles of lesser Importance"
where there were shortages in the
market of various material. the bu-
reau took steps Immediately to de-
velope new sources Of supply.
Reserves of ammunition and shells
have been acquired. and money
placed at the disposal Of the bureau,
we fnd, has been spent wisely, and
has been obligated practically as
soon as it became available. The bu.
reau had for years been preparing for
war. Guns. mounts shell. powder
and ordnance equipment in large
amounts have been manufactured and
held in readiness for eventual use.
With the declaration of armed neu-
trality guns and ammunitions were
promptly placed on the merchant
ships of the United States. Upon the
declaration of war kilograms long
held in readiness were put on the
wire. and the wheels were in motion
without a jar the machinery took
up the load placed upon IL. There
has been no breakdown, no let up: