Tombstone epitaph., 1918-07-21

per cent IN IL months WITHOUT faClcai
changes In method would seem to be
pretty sound organization.
Amid all the expansion Of govern
ment activities due 10 war. with far
reaching changes in methods of con-
Quoting business. reorganizations. in
crease in personnel, and addition OF
wholly new departments, one big bust
ness 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
required 10y the navy except arInor
plate. guns, and shells. II feeds and
clothes the navy. buys its steA, met
ais. lumber, textiles, and chemicals
provides transportation for the navy's
supplies. Goals It's ships, and pays its
officers and men. During the last
year this bureau has been greatly en-
larced by the addition Of new officers.
technical experts from civil life. and
clerical workers. but lis organization
and methods have fully met all tests
Of war and have required practically
10 change, says the New York Times.
After thorough investigation. con-
cress recently declared this great bust
ness Office Of the navy 10 be notable
for efficiency. as well as one Of the
biggest business enterprises in the
United States.
There are two reasons for the eff
ciency-an excellent business system
and an excellent business man, Ad-
miral MCGOWAN. who first became
identified with the navy's purchasing
affairs four years ago. after demon
strating his ability as purchasing Off
Ger for the American fleet when II
went around the world.
Its Chief Merit.
The chief point Of merit in the
navys purcha sing system is centrali-
cation. All its supply activities are
administered from Washington, no
matter how widely the American feet
may he scattered over the world.
Ships are provisioned in the West In
dies, sailors are provided with warm
winter clothing for destroyer service
IN the submarine zone around the Brit
ish Isles coal is dispatched 10 ships
IN the Philippines. nitrates are brought
from Chile. clothing is manufactured
IN "" i"ih hL' MI '''h' S'"'e ~
carried at innumerable points ready
FOR delivery 10 ships at instant notice.
Yet all activities center in Washington.
and navy supply business is not only
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Nex, "a cen,r.Iiza-ion and This fine
vo,k,ny sniri, nrotahlv the most i'm
nor.an, element in tho system is nuh-
uci,v in dealing with the supply Of
tho navv,s inpumerahIe needs Under
nressr,a ~ var other denar-rnen,s
have found I, expedien, 10 set aside
tho norm.I neac.-tiua methods Of mr.
chasing under connective bids bur the
navy has adhered 10 the method Of
onen Kidding with full publicity. on
Tho nrincirle -ha, the urblic contrib
u,,ny war finds bv taxation. has a
ripb, "a know exactly and in the full
.s, de,ai, how fts money is being ex-
pended.
.ro,her rrinciple the navy adheres
IN is that war demands should be met
by the peace-tirne system of purchas-
ing Great as war demands are. they
coll simrlv for an increase in volume
Of businessmen a change in the fun
aamsu:s, method o. conducting bus!
ness If the method has been proper
" worked out in peace, II will meet
the exigeucies Of war.
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,or WI W 1891 oornnonda,,on CO..