The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1916-08-11

ers, do not know anything about the
fighting end of the business. We
could not tell these gentlemen how
they should handle their troops or
how they should handle their fleet, but
we do know the industrial game, and
when the time comes, all theory aside
MS to what might be done or ought to
be done, the people In this country
who will have to bear the brunt of
war will be the manufacturers and
engineers, who will have to organize
almost TO man in support of the
forces doing the actual fighting.
Prepare In Time of Peace.
''In the working out of this plan in
concrete way we have in the five
national technical organizations, the
American Society of Civil Engineers,
the American Society of Mining En-
gineers and American Society of
Mechanical Engineers, the American
Institute of Electric Engineers, and
the American Chemical society,
group of $4,000 men representing
every phase of industrial life in this
country. 1t is this group of men al
ready organized, and working in CO.
operation with the officers of the navy
and army, who will be able to do the
industrial organization work which
must be done before we can be truly
prepared. The only way to make our
resources available-the only way to
organize the industries of the United
States for national SERVICES to do
it quietly and efficiently in time of
peace. We cannot do ii at the last
minute when we are trying to turn
back somersault because there has
been declaration of war the night
before. We have had a pretty fair
lesson in the Spanish-American war,
and we will probably have another les
son in the Mexican affair before we
are through with ii. 1t may be
good lesson, and wake us all up to
what war in 1916 means.
Like Fire Insurance.
"That these manufacturers and en-
gineers will do this work there is not
the slightest doubt in the world. They
will do it, not because they hope for
material advantage to accrue to them
or to the concerns which they con.
trol-and many Of them are the lead
ing business men of the country-but
they will do it, if you please, upon the
same basis that we all carry fire in
surance. l refuse to believe that pa
triotism is any less of vital influence
In America-but put this upon the
cold-blooded basis of insurance if you
like. / believe that there are thou
sands Of concerns in this country who
government business, and who would
not consider taking one dollars worth
of government business, for war mate
rails in time of peace. 1t would con-
fiict with their regular lines of work,
and they are rushed to death with
business in these regular lines. My
own concern, for two or three years,
has had subdealers' names on the
books, who have scarcely ever seen one
of our motor cars which they them
selves have owned. Unfortunately,
this is not a mere figure of speech,
so why should we ask for government
business? We are willing, however,
to take a standing order for a certain
small number of shells or any other
material of that character which our
equipment is fitted to produce, and de-
liver that material each year under
government inspection. Goods pro-
duced under this educational system
could be sent in TO depots, which pre-
ferably should be located in the mid
die West This would be merely on
the basis of organization and educa-
ton, to fit the factories TO swing in
on this complicated new work if 1t
should ever be necessary.
Fit Factories for Work.
"By taking small order, say even
for ten shells of one size, we shall
have broken in every department Of
our works as to the handling of that
particular munition. Our purchasing
department will learn where and how
to buy materials. Our factory will
treat how to test and inspect to gov
eminent standards. The engineering
department will have in its files up
to-date drawings and specifications
for quick use. We have enough manu-
featuring equipment in this country so
that we can concentrate and specialize
a concern on some one thing and say,
Gentlemen, in case of war that Is the
particular thing we are going to call
upon you for In such and such guam
tity,' and If congress will give to our
navy and war departments power to
exercise judgment In placing these
small educational orders throughout
the country, it will have done as much
to fit this country to defend itself as
through appropriating money for a
tremendous increase In army and
navy. Army and navy will be taken
care Of as matter of course. These
other things cannot be handled ex-
cept through the closest kind Of CO.
operation between a nationally organ