DIVISION OF THE NAVY DEPARTMENT. 21 



branch, going from desk to desk, giving instructions, answering questions, 

 etc. The third assistant is at present developing a special line of work, 

 which also keeps him in the criticism branch. Eventually it is hoped that 

 it will work out that there will be an officer continually in each of the design 

 and criticism branches. 



The writer, as head of the Division, spends about one-quarter of his 

 time at his desk, and the balance with the chief constructor, in the drawing 

 offices, mostly in the design and scientific branch, or in expediting inter- 

 bureau work about the Department. It is the writer's duty as the head of 

 the Division to keep the chief constructor informed of the work of the Divi- 

 sion and to keep advised of his wishes. 



The Electric Branch. — The electric branch, which immediately adjoins 

 the office, is directly controlled by the officer at the desk. It includes the 

 Bureau's electrical aide and the assistant electrical aide, one of whom is 

 always on hand and both generally, although sufficient outside inspection 

 trips are ordered to take care of the work and to keep in touch with outside 

 progress. The arrangement of this branch is shown in Plate 23. 



Its work consists of preparation of and action on electrical specifica- 

 tions and plans, passing on electrical test reports, design of electrical auxil- 

 iaries, keeping track of electrical subordinates outside the Bureau and in 

 general all electrical questions before the Bureau. Special investigations of 

 new electrical applications for the Bureau's work on board ship are made in 

 or directed from this branch. 



The Criticism Branch. — This branch examines and criticises : — (a) plans 

 produced in design branch before issue; (b) plans and specifications sub- 

 mitted by builders in developing the details. 



It is under the immediate direction of the chief draughtsman who, 

 in addition to his responsibility for discipline and general oversight over the 

 whole force, acts as foreman of this room. The employees are rated as 

 draughtsmen, though in an engineering firm such as the General Electric 

 Company similar employees would doubtless be called assistants of the engi- 

 neering staff. Besides the chief draughtsman and his assistants, there are 

 fifteen draughtsmen with stenographers and plan clerks. This branch is 

 organized on the functional system, each employee or group of employees 

 handling a specialty or kindred specialties. The specialties covered are 

 considerable in number and are divided generally as follows, with one or 

 more employees to each subdivision: — 



Changes ; allowance lists and small boats ; plans, their filing, correction 

 and distribution to navy yards; joiner work and general arrangement; 

 repairs and alterations of ships in the fleet, trial reports, etc.; structural 



