Evening star., 1917-10-21
DEFENSE CDUNC|['S !
RECORDAGOODONE
Period of the Reorganization
Serves to Recall Seven :
Months Achievements.
HAS BEEN M0NEY-SAvER

Reorganization Of the Council Of M.
tionaI Defense by the retirement of
some twenty-odd members OF the ocm-
is proceeding as designations
are acted upon and either accepted or
made to insist upon re-
tention of the services OF the men-
These designations for the most part
are Of men whose connection with in
dustries. having large contracts with
tho government. apparently makes
their tenure with the committees un-
ethical.
Some Of the minor committees, sspe-
cially those OF business men who
earlier in the war assisted the quarter
masters department In getting sup
for their employment having passed an
the work became moro thoroughly or
ganized.
Tomorrow the council will move from
the Munsey building and the seven
other scattered Offices throughout tho
city into the new ONCE quarters just
completed west of the building OF tho
Daughters of the American Revolution.
This structure. two stories in in height.
with a floor space of 100000 square
feet. was completed within five weeks
of starting work.
Seven Months Achievements.
Oficials Of the Council OF National
Defense. reviewing the accomplish
ments of that organization during the
Tying sum total and details. Among
the things OF major Importance toward
winning the war that have been done
are these:
tary purposes. of American manufac-
turing plants. $4,000 In number.
The saving to the government OF mil
lions of dollars by the proper co-ordina-
ton of purchases through the agency
of the general munitions board of the
Council of National Defense. this board
being later absorbed by the war INDUS
Mobilization of the 10000 miles Of
railroads of the country for the govern
ment's defense.
The close knit organization of the
telephone and telegraph companies OF
America to insure to the government
the most rapid and efficient wire COM
muuications.
Bringing about the very general ac-
ceptance by labor and capital Of the
suggestion OF the council 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 grow
ing out of such action. -
The procurement Of raw materials for
the use of the military and naval forces
of the United States at prices greatly
below the current market price. this
being made possible by enlisting the
patriotic cooperation of industrial
leaders.
Birth of Liberty Motor.
Creation by the council Of the air.
hna I'd IL,
oped the liberty motor, and which. in
cooperation with the United States
Signal Corps, is setting out to estab-
lish a great American air service at
the earliest possible moment.
The results obtained by the councils
committee on coal production In the
procurement and expeditions shipment
of coal. both in the civilian and fed
eral interests.
The saving to the government of mil
lions of dollars through the applica-
tion by the committee on supplies of
the council of the most modern busi-
ness methods in the purchase of sup
plies for the War and Navy depart
ments. largely through the elimination
of middlemen.
The work performed by the councils
committee on emergency construction
and contracts in enlisting the best
building and architectural experts of
the country for the erection of the cam
tonments for the National Army.
Creation. under the medical section
of the council. of general medical
board. consisting Of many of the most
highly qualified surgeons and ply
sicians of the country.
Selection by the same section of thou
sands of doctors specifically qualified
for membership in the Medical Officers
Reserve Corps. and the Standardization,
far on Its way to completion. of surgi-
cal instruments and supplies.
States in Cooperation.
The successful initiation of a move.
ment to coordinate activities on the
part OF the states Of the Union for the
national defense. brought to a clear
and workable focus by a conference of
states held in Washington at the cali
and under the auspices Of the council,
and which movement has reached a
high point OF organization under spe-
cial section.
The organization of a railroad COM
mfttee which was sent to Russia ana
the enlistment Of reserve engineer reg
iments to aid in rehabilitating the rail-
roads Of France.
The creation by the council of the
war industries board to assume the du.
ties formerly discharged, by the gem
erai munitions board and to act. in ad-
dttion. as clearing house for the war
industry needs of the government I'M
der this board are handled vital war
matters having to do with raw ma
terlais. HnlShed products and priority
A commission OF this board is author
lied to arrange purchases in accord
ance with general policies formulated
and approved. The board recently made
the arrangements with the copper and
steel producers to fix the price for their
commodities, announcement thereof
having been made by the President
Conservation of Supplies.
The carrying on by the commercfal
economy board OF the council with the :.
cooperation of merchants. manufac-
turerS and consumers at all points OF
successful campaigns for conserving
wheat, wool and other commodities in
which there have been Shortages and
Tor reducing the amount Of labor EN-.
trade. a"
Creation by the President, at the re-
quest OF the council, of a labor com- ;
mission to aid in the adjustment or
social and labor disturbances throurh- .
out the country. particularly in the
western states.
The creation by the council OF n
woman's committee. which is enIisting
the woman power of America for thu I
prosecution of the war. -,
The pronouncement by the council, :,
through the Secretary of War its chair,
man, Of policy to the effect that all
effort should be centered to help win
the war. this pronouncement having
been made in response to queries as to =
the attitude which should be taken
relative to improvements. public and
involving large construction