Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-03
PLANS LAID FOR BLOW
AT GERMAN AUTOCRACY
WASHINGTON, April 3.


President Wilson is only awaiting Con-
gress's Endorsement of his war speech before
! issuing a call for 100000 volunteers. The
call win be made soon after the two houses
| place the stamp Of their approval on the
announcement that a state Of war exists
| between the United States and Germany.
The President went to the golf links this
| morning. He played several rounds in the
| cool. bracing air. and then returned to the
White House and Immediately got in touch
With his department chiefs. Plans for the
closer cooperation of all departments have
been completed.
Discussion was widespread in congress
slonal and official circles over the possibility
of the creation of two new cabinet posts
a Secretary of Munitions and Secretary
Of Transportation.
All of the bellgerent nations of Europe
have found difficulty IN efficiently directing
these two important wartime departments
and proponents of the movement here are
urging that the matter be adjusted now
before hostilities actually begin.
In Administration circles however there
is a disposition to frown on the proposition
just now. 1t is pointed out that the War
Department so far has handled the situation
Defense, composed of some of the best
brains of the country. was formed for the
very purpose of eXpeditng such things for
national use.
HUGE WAR PLANS
The Navy Department today announced
plans for spending $4,000, 900. now avail
able, for improving navy yards throughout
the country. as follows:
Portsmouth. n. H.. facilities for
building ten submarines at one time.
Philadelphia. two new ways large
enough for battle cruisers and battle
ships. and new shops; total: about
S6000,000.
Norfolk one new ways large enough
for battle cruisers and battleships, new
shops; total S5,000,000.
Puget Sound. new shops and one new
ways. size not determined.
Mare Island, additional shop facli-
ties
New York. one new ways and addi-
tional shops; total about $4,000, 900.
The navy may be raised to 10000 men,
as against present authorized strength
of $1,000. Three million to 100000 men
will probably b. used for Americas
armies. At least one Cabinet member
wants 100000 as a minimum; army men
recommend up to 100000
The process will be to get them in in.
crements-groups-of 100000 as rapidly as
tntN can be
Chairman Chamberlain, of the Senate
Military Affairs Committee. says the incre-
ments can be obtained at an annual expense
of $l56.0OO.000 each the General Staff,
however estimates far higher amount.
= FOR THREE-YEAR WAR
War Secretary Baker and the advisory
commission of the Council of National De-
fense are today discussing
War plans on n basis Of three years
Of conflict.
Suggestions for food control for the
nation.
Universal service--not merely uni
verssI military service.
These three vital projects were carried
into the Defense Councils session today by
Samuel Gompers. head Of the committee on
labor. They were decided on as the most
immed late projects to be disposed of at
meeting of the labor committee attended by
Secretary of Labor Wilson. Director Clifford,
of the council Howard Coffin. In charge of
the munitions committee. and other MEM
bers Of the councils advisory committee.
Bernard NJ Baruch. of the National
Council of Defense. reported to Secretary
Of the Navy Daniels today on conferences
he has held with the American Iron and
Steel Institute Of New York looking to
aims to supply the nation with steel for
ships on the basis Of average price for
the last ten years. IL Is understood the
report was not altogether satisfactory, as
the steel men claimed that such a plan
would force them 10 furnish their product