Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-25
HIGHEST CLASS MEN LEND
THEMSELVES TO NATION
Some Of Country's Most Prominent
Business and Financial Leaders
Giving Their Entire Time.
GREAT THINGS ACCOMPLISHED
Splendid Work OF Council Of National
Defense, Its Advisory Commission
and Its Committees Set Forth in
Report of Director clifford.
Inv A,,ociated Pre.s.l


WASHINGTON, June "a. - Accom-
piishments OF the Council OF National
Defense. its advisory commission and
its committees since tho council was
finally organized last March are set
forth in a comprehensive report made
tonight by Director Clifford.
Only eighty persons. according to Dr.
rector Gifford's report. are drawing sal
aries and most of these are clerks and
stenographers.
More than 100 highly trained men.
says the report. are giving their entire
time to the council without remunera-
ton. Several hundred more. it says.
arc giving free 4 large part of their
time.
The chief Accomplishments OF the
council are summed up by Mr.. Gif-
ford as follows:
Mobilization OF the 2s2.Oo miles of
railroads OF the country for the gov
ernment's defense.
"Close-knit organization Of the tcle-
phone and telegraph companies Of
America to insure the government the
most rapid and efficient wire communi-
cations.
Settlement OF the recent threat
ened national railroad strikes.
General acceptance OF labor and
capital OF the suggestion Of the coun-
Gil that existing labor standards should
not be changed until the need for such
action had been determined by the
council. with the steadying influence
on industry growing out of such ac-
ton.
procurement of 100000 pounds Of
copper for the uses OF the army and
navy at less than one-half OF the then
current market price-a saving to the
government of approximately &c.,
100000
Similar accomplishments as to steel.
zinc and aluminium.
Completion of an inventory, for mil
itary purposes, OF $1,000 American man
ufacturinG plants.
Money saving to the government.
through appointment over the coun-
try of committees OF business men to
assist the quartermasters' department
of the army in the economical and ef-
ficient purchase OF supplies.
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
SAVED TO GOVERNMENT
Saving to the government OF mill
lions of dollars by the coordination Of
purchases through the agency of the
general munitions board.
Creation. under the medical section
OF the council, of general medical
board. OF many OF the most highly quail
ihed surgeons and physicians OF the
country.
Selection by the same section of
thousands OF doctors specifically quail
flied for membership in the medical Of
fcers' reserve corps. and the standard
ization. far on Its way to completion.
Of surgical instruments and supplies.
Creation BY the council OF the air
craft production board, which is set
ting out to make $500 airplanes and
TO train 5000 aviators this year.
Definite results obtained by the
councils committee on coal production
in the procurement and expeditions
shipment OF coal, both in the civilian
and Federal interests.
Successful initiation OF a move
ment to coordinate activities on the
part OF the States OF the Union for
the national defense. brought to clear
and workable focus by the conference
OF States. held recently in Washington.
at tho call and under the auspices OF
the council.
Organization of a railroad commit
tee to send to Russia. and enlistment
of reserve engineer regiments to aid
In rehabilitating the railroads Of
France"
GENERAL MUNITIONS hoard
HAS MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Besides the many things done by the
council. Mr.. Clifford enumerates in de-
tail the work of the boards and COM
mittees. He begins with the general
munitions board. OF which Frank A.
ZlIZISSNNANVIIIp