The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-02-09
ALL FIRST STEPS
HAVE BEEN TAKEN
LITTLE MORE BEFORE WAR
BRANCHES.
considering Activities to Be I'm
dertaken Under New Act
Now in Preparation.


Now in Preparation.
Washington, Feb. 6.-All preoau-
tionary and preparatory steps the
military arms of the government
nave been authorized TO take are un-
der way and little remains TO be done
now unless actual war should follow
the break with Germany
On the surface the war and navy
departments fell back today to al
most the quiet routine Of normal
times. A few mo admittance"
signs and the strict enforcement of
new rules requiring every person
who enters the building to have a
pass or be escorted by a watchman
were the only visible signs that the
nation faces a grave international
crisis.
Below the surface navy officials
were studying steps they plan to take
under authority of the annual appro-
priation bill on which the house In.
bored during the day. The measure
Is being made the vehicle of extend
Ing to the president almost unlimited
powers. There will be no DELAY in
the exercise of some of these as soon
as the bill becomes law. The navy
always must bear the first shock of
foreign war and the appropriation
bill is expected to carry full authority
and ample funds to meet any emer-
gency.
To Speed Up Work.
Technical officials devoted much
time to appraising the condition OF
government and private plants for
speeding up construction of new ma,
val vessels. Decision as to the types
and numbers of submarines and SUBJ
marine chasers to be ordered in the
event of war also has been under
discussion. Censorship precautions
at radio plants were ordered and Sec
retary Daniels said he would renew
his plea to congress for immediate
establishment of government mon
opoiy of all radio plants.
There is less need for haste with
the army. The two appropriation
bills covering the land forces, the
army and Notifications bills. are al
ready well on their way through con
Rress. They carry sufficient funds
for present emergencies.
Secretary Baker conferred TODAY
with Director Clifford and Drs. Simp-
son and Martin of the advisory star
of the national defense council. Col.
birmingham of the army medical
corps also was present.
To Announce New Board.
The council will announce soon the
names of doctors who will compose
the medical board of Standardization
which will direct it's efforts toward
co-ordinating medical supplies and
education for war purposes. The
plan was worked out as a definite
part of the defense council scheme
many weeks ago and has no direct
part in the present situation.
The National Research committee.
composed of scientists and army and
navy OlHNtlS, ALSO met uuGllR the
day for it's monthly session. 1t is
understood there was some dis
cussion of the advisability of
creating a radio service to include
army, navy and commercial plants as
a definite governmental agency. The
navy, however, favors government
monopolization of radio communica-
tion under its control
Secretary Baker directed the quar-
termaster department to restock the
army's reserve supply depots. virtu-
ally emptied by the National Guard
mobilization. Funds are Immediate
ly advailable for very extensive pur-
chases In the event that a war time
army is summoned it will be neces-
sary to increase the contemplated
purchases to such an extent that the
productive resources OF the nation
along some lines will be taxed severe
ly until they have been co-ordinated
and placed on a war time footing.