Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-07-24
HOW THE u. S. NAVY
BUYS ITS SUPPLIES
Purchasing Department Under Admiral MCGOWAN Has Met All Tests
SuccessfuIy-CentraIizatiO the Chief Merit of the
System-Compimened for Efficiency After
Investigation by Congress.

Washington.-A business concern
which can increase its turnover 2,5OO
per cent in u months without radical
changes in method would seem to be
a pretty sound organization.
Amid all the expansion of govern
ment activities due to war, with tar
reaching changes in methods of con-
Quoting business, reorganizauons IN
crease in personnel, and addition OF
wholly new departments, one big Dusl-
ness agency of the government mas
changed not at all. except in magnl-
tude That agency is the bureau or
supplies and accounts Of the navy,
which purchases practically everything
required by the navy except armor
plate, guns, and shells II feeds and
clothes the navy. buys its stee., 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-
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 bust
ness office of the navy to 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
aud an excellent business man, Adj
miral McGOwan, who first became
identified with the nayy's purchasing
affairs four years ago, after demon
strating his ability as purchasing Off
Ger for the American feet when 1t
went around the world
Its Chief Merit.
The chief point of merit in the
navys purchasing system is centrali-
zation. All its supply activities are
administered from Washington, no
natter how widely the American fleet
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 a few execu-
tives, but is expedited by fine work
ius spirit.
Next TO Capitalization and this fine
working spirit, probably the most inn
portant element In the system Is pub
iicity 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 tbnt the public, contrib
uting war funds by taxation has
right TO know exactly and in the full
est detail how its money Is being ex
pended.
Another principle the navy adheres
80 is that war demands should be met
BY the peace-time system of purchas-
ias. Great as war demands are. they
Call simply for an increase In volume
of businessmen a change In the fun
tiaueutai method of conducting bust
uess. II the method has been proper
iy worked out IN peace, II Will meet
fl,e cxigo neies of war
Directed by MCGOWAN.
II every institution is the length
ana shadow Of one man, as Emerson
said, then the bureau of supplies and
accounts today reflects the personality
Of Admiral McGowan. When the bu-
renu transacted It's affairs with 2S peo-
pie. he knew them all. and they work
ed under his eye every day, helped by
the optimism and energy which he ra.
dates. After year Of war, with his
organization approaching I 600 people,
he still knows them all and Sees them
frequently, and maintains the original
spirit of organization by making IN
limited d mands upon each individual
for work. according 10 his or her capac-
ity. with unstinted commendation for
all good work, whether the job be
CREST or small.
When the strength Of the navy was
about $1,000 officers and enlisted men
the bureau Of supplies and accounts
dill all its purchasing and transporta-
Jiou through naval officers of the pay
masters corps. When war came. and
activities increased by several hun
dred per cent monthly, the organiza-
tiou was strengthened hy taking on
shout dozen civilian experts from
business life, men who gladly resigned
good positions and large salaries with
private business concerns to ION Uncle
Sans uniform and work day and night
for the comparatively slender salaries
of naval officers.
other purchasing departments OF
tie government met their early wal
Problems by enlisting advisory com
nitteeS of business experts, who in
ySstigated given problems outside
compiled facts made arrangements
a.d offered suggestions. The navy
Oh the contrary, took its civilian ex
p.rts in bodily, put them into uniform
~~-~-~~~-~~~~~~o->----~
CSPEEAMT HIMEc TuIo LILO