The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1918-08-21

AIulu tu0 CAPuu0AOAA VI o~'
ment activities due to war, with FAR
reaching changes In methods OF con-
Quoting business, reorganizatiOns, In
crease in personnel, and addition OF
wholly new departments, one big Dusi-
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 by the navy except armor
plate, guns, and shells. 1t feeds and
clothes the navy. buys its steA, met
ais, lumber, textiles, and chemicak
provides transportation for the navy's
supplies, Goals its ships, and pays its
officers and men. During the last
year this bureau has been greatly en-
larged by the addition of new officers,
technical experts from civil life, and
clerical workers, but its organization
and methods have fully met all tests
Of war and have required practically
NO change, says the New York Times.
After thorough investigation, con-
gress recently declared this great busi-
ness office of the navy to be notable
for efficiency, as we'll 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
stratlng his ability as purchasing Off
Ger for the American fleet when 1t
went around the world.
Ia Chief Merit.
The chief point Of merit in the
navy's purchasing system is centrali-
aatiOn. All its supply activities are
administered from Washington, no
matter how widely the American feet
may be 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 to ships
in the Philippines, nitrates are brought
from Chile, clothing Is manufactured
In New York and Norfolk, stores are
carried at innumerable points ready
for delivery to ships at instant notice.
Yet all activities center in Washington,
and navy supply business is not only
kept under the eyes of few execu-
tives, but is expedited by fine work
ing spirit.
Next to Capitalization and this fine
working spirit, probably the most i'm
portant element In the system is pub
licity in dealing with the supply of
the navy's innumerable needs. Under
pressure of war other departments
have found 1t expedient to set aside
the normal peace-time methods Of pur-
chasing under competitive bids, but the
navy has adhered to the method OF
open bidding, with full publicity, on
the principle that the public. contrib.
uting war funds by taxation, has q
right to know exactly and in the full.
est detaiT how its money is being ex
pended.
Another principle the navy adheres
to 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
damental method of conducting bust
ness. If the method has been proper
~ worked out in peace. 1t will NEE
the exigencies Of war.
Directed by MCGOWAN.
II every institution is the length
and shadow Of one man, as Emerso,
said, then the bureau Of supplies an,
accounts today reflects the personalit,
Of Admiral MCGOWAN. When the bu
reau transacted its affairs with % pee
pie, he knew them all. and they work
ed under his eye every day, helped b.
the optimism and energy which he "a
dates. After year Of war, with hi
organization approaching 1000 people
he still knows them all and sees ther
frequently, and maintains the origina
spirit of organization by making ur
limited demands upon each individus
| AOA WOAhs ONSOAuAh6 W AAAS Va itCl CuRdS
ity, with unstinted commentator fo
all good work, whether the job
great or SMALL
When the strength of the navy wa
about $4,000 officers and enlisted me
the bureau Of supplies and account
did all its purchasing and transport,
ton through naval officers of the pa,
masters corps. When war came. an
activities increased by several hui
dred per cent monthly. the organic
ton was strengthened by taking q
about dozen civilian experts fro
business life. naen who gladly resigne
good positions and large salaries viii
private business concerns to don Unc
Sans uniform and work day and nlgl
for the comparatively slender salari,
: of naval officers. n
Other purchasing departments
the government met their early W,
problems by enlisting advisory col
mittees Of business experts, who. /
Investigated given problems outsid
compiled facts, made arrangement
and offered suggestions. The nav
on the contrary, took its civilian e