The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-23

u war supply SurpluSs mas AREA
nearly one and half billion dol
to riglt) Major J.. L. Frink, sectit
assistant, and T. S. Hudson, chief
added to the savings secured by
transfers, more than equaled the
pay Of the army for the same
period. These figures do not in.
ciude the value Of salvage effected
BY the Navy Department in dispos-
ing OF its war supply surplus which
has been handled. it is declared. as
creditably az that by the army.
Saved Entire Appropriation.
Illustrating the results of the
transfer system" by which various
departments have been able to util.
ize the war supply surplus. is the
record OF transactions with the en-.
cheering department and light.
house service Of the Department OF
Commerce. In the first instance
q demand for dredges was supplied
through the utilization Of surplus
boats In the hands OF the quarter.
master corps. The transfer saved
the expenditure Of $4,000. In the
latter instance an appropriation OF
81 800, 900 had been made for the
construction Of lighthouse tenders.
The army transferred TO the light.
houss service mine planters, readily
converted into the class OF craft
desired This time the saving
amounts. 9 on asS to the appropriation.
Taxpayers have been saved con.
siderable Sums OF money. also,
Through the policy Of the sales Of
fice In. disposing of materials on
cumulating. In one instance, not
to cite others, an annual saving
Of $S8,000 In rentals was effected
through the marketing Of some
81 900 tons Of sodium nitrate at
time when it was easily absorbed
by the market. The Government,
realizing on the sale $780, 900.
Wool Sales Huge.
Disposal OF the surplus wool sup
ply presented one Of the most se-
rious problems facing the sales Of
flee. According to statistics this
totaIed 465. zoo, 900 pounds. This
entire lot was disposed Of IN 11s
auction sales and through nine
sealed bids. The average selling
price was SO per cent Of the cost.
This record. II 10 pointed out, was
made in the fact Of approximately a
year and half Of serious business
depression, in 1920 and 1921.
How the liquidation Of the enor-
nous war supply surplus has been
accomplished so successfully Is de-
scribed by Major Frink. who said:
"Out Of the discussion of the va
- ~
ed very definite policy, safe, sane,
reasonable, in keeping with the in
terests Of business men as well as
In that Of the individual citizen
and the Taxpayers. That policy pro-
vided for the gradual absorption Of
the surplus, the rapidly Of this
being governed by the ability OF
the markets to handle the various
commodities without undue interior
ence with established industry, while
safeguarding the public interest in
every way.
Sales Drive Unique.
'The sales campaign has been
unique in many respects. The method
adopted provided for the disposal Of
stocks at the points were they were
located in such a way as to permit
the small buyer as well as the large
buyer to participate. Every precau-
ton has been taken to prevent the
creation of a monopoly enabling the
purchaser to realize undue profits.
The methods have protected the
manufacturers against i'll effects.
not absolutely unavoidable in the
INCUBATION Of such large stocks. and
az the same time they have secured
! Tor the users, the public, the ad-
vantage OF low prices at which hey
were able to buy commodities lad.
| lily disable"
AUTOMOBILES, trucks and tractors
are seemingly the only surplus sun
ply items which have not been sub
| !scI 70 auction sale. This results
from their adaptability to the MIR.
poses of other departments which
nave taken them over for usa. OnIv
MOTORIZED equipment condemned nv
the government as mot worth re.
pairing has been sold.
rear estate, buildings, plants and
improvements necessary to the de.
VeIopment OF environments a7Sd train.
ing camps, listed as q part Of the
war surplus. are declared by those
VINO nave studied the situation to
De wrongfully included among as.
sets. The assertion is made that
tney were investments Of the kind
which pay for themselves durino
the period In which they are in
operation and properly should be
charged off.
Sales to Continue.
| A series Of auction sales Of war
supplies are scheduled by the sales
office for the next six weeks. At
present, 1t is said. the sales about
equal the value Of the additional
stocks OF surplus supplies disclosed
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