The Washington herald., 1917-03-25
FIX STANDARDS
FOR WAR WORK
U.S.Defense Council Marshals
Military, Financial and In
dustrial Resources.

Military. naval, financial. and Indus
trial problems OF the greatest moment
were under discussion here yesterday.
The Council OF National Defense. with
its auxiliary advisory committee. took up,
behind closed doors. the immediate cues
tions of standardiZing all defense work.
AS result of the conference, II was
stated, arrangements are well in hand
which will prevent Implications, excessive
profits and promote Standardization in
every line.
So far as the army and navy plans are
concerned everything has been done that
can be accomplished without additional
authority from Congress. The naval
work especially is gratifying to officials.
Never before In the country's history has
so much been accomplished by any
branch Of the national service as has
been done by the navy since January /.
while in the interval since Germany pro-
claimed her unrestricted submarine
plans, a plan OF submarine defense has
been devised and put into operation
which protects the vitals OF the nation.
Plans along financial lines are being
perfected in connection with the Fed
eral Reserve Board. II is stated by
off1cials OF that body that the nation is
in perfect shape to finance a war of any
duration. Suggestions that this country
they require continue to be made by lead
ing government officials. It is known
that the Cabinet discussed such a propo-
sition Friday. but without deciding on
any final action.
Opposition Considered.
Congress would have 10 authorize any
such action. and there is little doubt that,
under existing circumstances at least.
there would he opposition that might
complicate legislation designed to give
authority, The entire situation however
may be changed between now and April
?. when the extra aordinary session con-
venes
1t was stated yesterday that assur-
ences nave been received by the Federal
Reserve Board and Secretary - the
Treasury McAdoo that II Congress shall
authorize an initial government war ob-
legation of S.Oo0ooo 90 the entire issue
Wal be taken over by the big financial
centers in less than q hours Americas 8
stock of gold has been estimated by no
less an authority than Thomas w La
mont. of Morgan and Company. at So
l50oOO,0N. What this would mean thrown
into the scale against Germany is very
plain.
Massing Of skilled labor will be an
other easy task. Already a preliminary
survey has been taken IT is expected
that an immediate census OF skilled and
unskilled workers will be undertaken TO
show just how many men and women
are available for work in every industry
which Is in any way affected by the
war. With hundreds OF great manufac-
turing establishments in every part of
the country already offered to the gov
ernment for its use. it was agreed that
the getting of men to keep such plants
in operation "a hours day was the
next move. Secretary OF Labor Wilson
and Samuel Gompers. head of the Amerf-
can Federation OF Labor have the labor
problem well in hand. according to the
reports presented to the Counil OF De-
fense.
HealdtOn Attack Bad.
The official reports of the sinking of
the Standard Oil tanker Healdton
make the attack even worse than ap-
peared at first glance. Not only was
the vessel sunk in the safety zone
which Germany herself had proclaim
ed. but the lights which were used to
illuminate the name and the American n
flag painted on the side of the vessel
were utilized by the submarine COM
mander as a target.
Officials yesterday said that il was
very plain that the present object of
the German submarine campaign is to
force all neutral craft to stay in port
The immediate object attained, so far
as the United States is concerned, is to
hasten the arming of merchant ships
which in tho 10