Evening star., 1918-01-20

submarine fatalities has been increased
by its adoption.
These and other equally serviceable
devices for use in naval war are ready,
but they were begun soon after the
sinking of the Lusitania, and not some
time after evidence of German duplic-
ity in the resumption of ruthless sub
marine warfare. The Navy took no
chances.
The Navy Department has, to an ex-
tent, broken away from the steel dis
tribution system of the
The Navv war industries board,
~. and has sent out an in
NS's oteeA' vitation for bids from
steel manufacturers. calling to their at
tention the fact that the prices for
scheduled articles have not been fixed
by the President and therefore the
articles cannot be ailocated by the di-
rector Of steel supply.
Such a decision was not reached
without careful study of the legal re-
quirements, and the conclusion was
that sworn officers of the government.
despite all advice of civilian commit
tees. must take the Responsibility for
all the purchases they make and to es-
cape liability must comply with the
directions of the law and the regula-
tions of their departments.
These laws require open bidding. ex-
cept in the case Of emergency. when the
purchasing officers must use their best
judgment. 1t was the war emergency
! that was responsible for the munitions
board, now expired, and succeeded by
the war industries board, which became
in turn so unwieldy that it resulted in
the establishment of the division of
steel supply, of which j. L. Replegle
is director.
For the steel on which the President
has fixed prices the Navy will continue
to make it's purchases through the war
industries board, but the steel makers
may expect open public bidding for
such of their output as the Navy needs.
1t is publicity in open competition that
has built up this system of buying sup
plies of all sorts for the navy. so 1t
has not since the declaration of war
all sorts at fair prices.
The President has approved the
prices on the following articles: Ore.
coke. pig iron. steel bar shapes, plates,
, blooms. billets. slabs, sheet bars. wire
rods. shell bars. skelp. sheets, pipe, cold
rolled steel, scrap wire and tin plate
Taking over the ships that will trans
port men and supplies to the United
States Army in France
Another Joh means another big job
e.. No.. for the Navy, outside OF
AVA osJ' the manning and ham
ding of the ships themselves.
The vessels in such service will have
| to be maintained in first-rate condition
No old tramp in poor repair can be
| trusted with the duty of keeping up the
| home communications of the expedition
ary forces. The Navy will trust no old
| rattle-trap engines to drive through the
danger zones. A submarine that would
| lie in wait for Navy transport would
have to NEE. one taking zig-zag course
and making a speed that would be un-
safe for any but engines in the best
| order. Boiler tubes will burn out; and
place. The bureau of steam engineering
| will have to mother these vessels and
provide all the spare parts necessary for
| them. This in itself is a considerable un-
| dertaking; for the vessels are not stan
dardiZed, and survey must be had OF
| each ship to determine it's needs and ther
provide against the day of need.
! The bureau Of construction and repair
and equipment; it will determine in ad-
| vance the yards at which, when repairs
become necessary, each vessel shall be
sent for her overhaul; and will keep there
|
All this will entail clerical work upon the
already burdened office force of both
bureaus as well.
! The bureau Of supplies and accounts
vide stores, If that burden-an undeter.
mined fact-is added to the Navy. Docks
and yards will arrange about the ac-
! commodation of each of the newcomers
armed, be called upon for guns and 9TH
er munitions. Navigation will have the
! heavy task of providing officers of suit
able standing and that will include the
/; ;all-important matter of discipline.
| The exact number of vessels that the
shipping board will turn over is not an.
nounced. but the Navy. in spite of the
burden cast upon it by their manage
that the fleet is not many times larger
| **
| The Medical Corps at Camp Pike has
called for nurses, and in response tc
the call the sur.
Pneumonia Attacks geon genera
r. Dill. has sent ninety
I five. who are
now in attendance at the camp.
Measles, followed by pneumonia, as
in the other camps, attacked, are re-
ported to be epidemic. and the trouble
has been aggravated by reason of the
failure Of the heating system in the
I hospital where the measles patients
were in isolation.
Epidemic of contact measles is un-
avoidable where SO many men are
brought within restricted area, and
| in their weak condition the slightest
exposure is likely to result in pneu-
monia.
Fortunately there is full staff OF
surgeons at Camp Pike. and the prompt
supply of nurses may enable them t.
i gain the upper hand Of the trouble.