Skip to main content
Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations

Chronological Copy.                         File No. <2-1-1>

Cablegram Sent July 16, 1918  JCM

To Opnav, Washington (For <Sanda>)1             Serial No. 1291

Prep. by M-1                      SX D.R.

                                      Clear.

1291 In connection with expenditures made for account of United States Navy by British Admiralty for repairs, supplies, miscellaneous equipment, construction work at Basses, etc, it is impossible when making repayment to the Admiralty to distribute these payments to the various Bureau appropriations. This method of having Admiralty make payment for our account of such bills is of greatest importance as it eliminates delays and obviates the necessity of our building up and maintaining a large and expensive organization in all parts of the United <Kingdom> and it also insures that charges paid are in accordance with established Admiralty rates, whereas, in direct dealings with private firms this could not be insured without long and tedious inquiry in each individual case. In short, I consider the system now in use as an important and integral part of the present efficient co-operation between the two Navies. I therefore recommend that I be authorised to charge all such expenditures against the Naval Emergency Fund. If, due to other obligations against this fund, it subsequently becomes necessary, it is suggested that reimbursement to this fund be made from the various Bureau appropriations in accordance with fixed percentages to be adopted by the Bureaus themselves.2 20016 1291

Sims     

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B.

Footnote 1: Bureau of Supplies and Accounts.

Footnote 2: For the response to this cable, see: McGowan to Sims, 18 July 1918.

Related Content