CHAPTER 13.3 1950-51 PROCUREMENT ACTIVITIES With the beginning of 1950, the decision was made firm that H & N would be responsible for the procurement of materials for and the construction of buildings and facilities required for the Military Structures Program. Shortly thereafter, it was decided to shift the responsibility for material take-off and requisitioning from the Engineering Division to the Operations Division. Procurement operations involved in the expansion of facilities on both the support islands and the experiment islands were underway early in 1950. The transportation program was an extremely important part of the total project because of the distances separating the individual islands, and additional LCM and LCT vessels were secured at this time to facilitate transport. Three "water-taxis" were also purchased to al- leviate bottlenecks in inter-island transfer of personnel. In line with the commnications program development, two gasoline driven cable laying hoists were secured for use aboard the cable barges; also, delivery of submarine communications cable was 50 per cent completed at this date. Telephone station and haniset equipment and accessories were again heavily ordered throughout this period. There was a continuing need also for more water distillation equipment, together with additional requests for miscellaneous construction equipment such as air-compressors, portable gasoline-driven electric welding machines, and various types of pneumatic-powered construction equipment. Fuel oil storage facilities were also expanded at the various locations with the purchase and delivery of additional tanks and fuelhandling equipment. Procurement was made of insecticides in connection with pest and insect control programs. Also during the early part of 1950, procurement activities became increasingly engaged with experiment construction requirements as plans and drawings became available and Jobsite construction schedules ap- proached the needs for the materials involved. The first orders for de- humidification equipment were placed and procurement was initiated for explosion-proof doors and other similar items of special design. Con- tracts were awarded for the fabrication of six 75-foot steel towers to be delivered knocked-down ready for shipment at the Naval Supply Center by April 15, and the contract for the fabrication of a 300-foot aluminum tower was also awarded during this first period of 1950. Foundation and building materials together with necessary operating equipment for the additional power houses and water distillation plants for operational island installations were also purchased and shipped at this time. Procurement of the balance of the materials for the construction program to be carried out by the Construction Battalion on Eniwetok Is- land was in progress during this quarter. Requirements for the fresh water system, salt water system, miscellaneous plumbing fixtures, cement, 13-16