The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1916-01-19
CALL TO ARMS FOR
NATIONS BUSINESS
PRESIDENT BEGINS WORK TO
PUT IN OPERATION PLAN FOR
QUICK MOBILIZATION.

Washington, Jan. 49, President
Wilson has begun work to put into
operation plan for preparing the
nations manufacturing, railroad and
other business resources for quick
mobilization in case of emergency: 1t
became known tonight that he has
written to the heads of all of the
principal engineering organizations
asking that they appoint representa-
tives to collect data for use in Or
ganizing business for national de-
fense.
The letters went to the president
of the American Institute of Mining
Engineers; the American Society Of
Mechanical Engineers; the American
Society of Civil Engieners; the Amer
lean Institute of Electrical Engi-
neers and the American Chemical
society. The work of collecting data
will be carried on by the representa-
tives of these organizations in con-
junction with the civilian naval con-
sulting board.
When the plans tentatively drawn
up by the president and his advisers
are completed machinery will be set
going which is expected to give the
government complete information re-
garding business and industrial re-
sources which would have to be
called to the assistance of the army
and navy in time of war.
When the president addresses the
Railroad Business association BAN
quet in New York January 27 he is
expected to refer to the advisability
of having the railroads and concern
which manufacture railroad supplies
cooperate in the general mobiliza-
tion plans. The army war college al
ready has much data necessary for
proper movement of troops over rail-
roads in time of war.
George A. Post, president of the
Railroad Business association, has in
formed the president that this organ
ization is willing to cooperate. Other
associations of business and profess
sional men will be asked to help.
The organizations asked by the
president to appoint representatives
to aid in collection of mobilization
data are among those which nomi-
mated members for the naval consult
ing board, which has appointed a
committe to help in carrying out the
presidents plan.
Fitted to Serve.
Secretary Daniels in statement
tonight commenting on the navy's
part in the programme pointed out
that the five engineering organiza-
tions represented membership of
$4,000 technical men, particularly
fitted to perform this class of work
in an intelligent and disinterested
manner.
"The plan involves a board of five
engineers in each State of the Union,
one from each of the societies." said
Mr.. Daniels. each one of these men
will become an associate member of
the naval consulting board, working
through the committe of the board.
"These five men in each State will
form the nucleus of an organization
in each State. They will be asked to
select members of their societies
from all parts of the State and will
furnish them with blank forms on
which will be made true inventory
of our country's producing and man
ufacturing resources, including trans
portation. This information will be
used in perfecting the national indus
trial organizations.
To Supply Information.
"The purpose is to lay the data be-
fore the government and in this way
bring the officials in touch with the
railways so that not only will the gov
ernment know the volume and extent
to which these industries can render
service, but it will advise and direct
the industries as to the requirement
of such service. 1t is proposed to
place small orders for certain NUM-
tions based on conditions existing at
the time. These orders will perhaps
bring no profit to the manufacturers,
but they will through such orders
have gauges on the shelves and at
times in the shops blue prints, speci-
fications and samples on hand. The
men in each plant will have work.
ing knowledge of government re-
quirementS.
Zone of the belligerent countries
is utilizing about 80 per cent. of it's
industries in producing army and
navy materials. In case of war this
government would need to do the
same thing and in order to turn the
wheels rapidly it is necessary in ad-
vance to know where to turn to OBJ
tain supplies and not only of muni-
tions but of everything needed Tor
the arming, clothing, transportation,
sustenance and care of the men CALI
ed to the colors."