Also, the original plan of procuring provisions through Navy channels was now found to be inadequate to meet the increased requirements and was therefore abandoned. The basic reason for this move was that the increased H & N requirements for provisions were found to be overtaxing both the facilities and supplies of the Naval Supply Center, with resultant delays in shipping. To remedy the situation it was decided that H & N should contract with commercial sources of supply for dry provisions as well as for fresh and frozen foods, and make arrangements with vendors through its Oakland office to deliver directly to the Naval Supply Center. With the further increase in procurement activity it became necessary to expand the facilities for export packing in the Oakland-San Francisco Bay areas. Arrangements were made with the Pacific Porta Industries, Crate-Rite Division, to establish receiving and packing facilities for materials and supplies. This firm, located in Oakland, had held previous contracts with military agencies for export packing of all types of material, and was acquainted with all phases of export packing requirements; in addition, it had rail spur facilities and was readily accessible to the Naval Supply Center. The close of the first calendar year of Contract operations found the Procurement Department engaged in constantly increasing activity and making plans for the upswing anticipated in the first months of 1950, 13-15