South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-04-28
BY James H. Collins

New York and Norfolk stores are carried at
able points ready delivery ships instant notice
activities washington. and navy sup
ply business is not only under the eyes of few
executives but is expedited by fine working spirit
you let have -?' asks officer of the
fighting fleet hurryng into the bureau Washington
'Certanly-we will get it for you Immediately
What it? This spirit is expressed in the bureau
motto which has become famous since declared
war: 1T can't be done-but here it is"
Next GENERALIZATION and this fine working spirit
probably the most important element in the system IS
publicity in dealing with the supply of the navys IN
Vulnerable needs. Under pressure of war other de
partments have found 1t eXpedent to set aside the
normal peace-tme methods Of purchasing under com
petitive bids but the has adhered to the method
bidding, with full publicity the principle
that the public, contributing war funds by taxation
has right to know exactly and in the fullest detail
money is being expended
INCREASE IN VOLUME.
Another principle the adheres to is that war
demands should be met by the peace time system
purchasing demands are, they call
simply for increase in volume of business-not a
change fundamental method of conducting bus
mess If the method has been properly worked out in
peace it will meet the exigencies of
every institution is the length and shadow Of
man, a Emerson said. then the bureau of supplies
today reflects the personality OF Admiral
MCGOWAN. When the bureau transacted its affairs
with IS people he knew them ALL and they worked un-
der his eye every day helped by the optimism and
energy which he radates After year of war, with
his organization approaching 1000 people, he still
knows them all and sees them frequently, and main
tans the original spirit of organization by making
unlimited demands each individual for work,
cording to his her capacity with unstinted
mendataon for all good work whether the job be great
II small.
The principles simple" said the admiral
First get good and work for you, ana
then throw responsibility them. Give each the
authority should with responsibility
them with work. and watch chiefly for results. II you
have good men and women working for you, and give
them responsibility with authority. it will
essary for TO interfere with details II you watch
"A at ALL obviously you must watch him all the
time because takes than mans whole time
watch another person. That system does not pro-
results
When the strength Of the navy was about $4,000
officers and enlisted men the bureau of supplies and
through naval officers of the paymasters When
came and activities increased by hundred
cent monthly the organization strengthened
by taking about dozen civilian experts from bus
life who gladly resigned good positions and
large salaries with private business concerns
Uncle Sans uniform and work day and night for the
comparatively slender salaries of officers
HOW CIVILIANS WORK.
other purchasing departments of the government
their early problems by enlisting advisory
took its civilian in bodily. put them into uni
problems outside, compiled facts arrangements
and offered suggestions The navy, the contrary,
took its civilian in bodily, put into uni
form. and made them part Of the organization
The navy needed steel for war thousands upon thou
sands Of Of it, for construction and other
IL steel expert. s r. Fuller who resigned from
big Chicago railway supply and TO work
in the of supplies supervising the
purchase OF structural steel orgngs and castings
ships and shipyards.
The navy needed cOtton-mions of yards Of canvas.
duck, drill. sheetings and uniform cloth. IL W.
f. Hooper, a cOtOn-mll executive who Immediately
severed all connections industry cotton
mill interests invested the money Liberty bonds.
into the bureau.