Evening star., 1917-10-18
BEHIND THE SCENES
mus. WAR WORK
Tour of Auxiliary Boards De-
veIops Importance Of
Their Duties.
TASKS ARE sTUPEND0US

u
Sam" as he fguratively makes tour
of the great auxiliary boards at the
capital which are standardizing and
conducting the work of the war behind
the lines" and also conserving and pro-
teeting the food and other supplies of
the people of this country and their
allies abroad?
In magnitude it is the most stupen-
dous task ever undertaken by nation,
and its Importance to the world at
large cannot be overestimated. Are you
Interested? Then come along; let's
make out we are tagging on 10 IN
Gle Sam as he visits his workers
The 1.rst stop will be at the top floor
of the Munsey building, where assem-
bles the war industries board. This Is
really the engine which drives a vast
and complicated machine. the 'Couhcii
of National Defense. with It's numerous
committees and subcommittee. reacn
ing into every large city. The board
consists of Frank A. Scott, chairman
Bernard NJ. Baruch. Judge Lovett. ROD
ert S. Brookings. Hugh F'rayne OF tne
American Federation of Labor, Admiral
Fletcher of the Navy and Col flerce
Direct the Purchases.
Three men in this board. Messrs,
Baruch. Lovett and Brookings' recon-
ment and direct the purchasing OF all
the war supplies in the United states
for this government, Great Britain,
France. Russia. Italy and the other al
lies They are the largest buyers IN
the world The board utilizes all the
machinery of the pre-War organlza ton
created by the Council of.Nationai De-
fense and serves as a clearing house to
prevent violation of the act of Congress
which prohibits men associated with
the committees trading with them
selves"
Then we go around to the shipping
board, in F street, between 18TH ana
14th, where are the men who are Great
ing a merchant marine to transport
over seas the supplies purchased by the
war industries board and carry the SOL
diers "over there" Edward N. Hurley
is the chairman. with five colleagues
This board has something over bill
lion dollars to spend-with more to be
appropriated next year.
Directs Floating of Loan.
The next stop is in room 200. in the
Treasury building. to see Frank A.
Vanderlip who is directing the floating
Of the second liberty loan, which is TO
provide most Of the money to pay for
all these things Mr.. Vanderlfp very
promptly and very decidedly says the
loan will be subscribed; that's all there
is to 1t, and Uncle Sam can be "on his
way" sure of getting the cash.
Up to Vermont avenue and X street
we then proceed. where. in the new
building, is found the federal trade
commission, of which William T. Har-
ris is chairman. The commissions long
suit at this time is to investigate cost
conditions and recommend price-fixing
to the war industries board and the
President. They have been at work
since long before the war and had splen-
did organization to turn over immedi-
ateIy to war service.
Across at 18th and K is the war trade
board Vance Mccormick, chairman.
This is becoming one of the most impor-
tant adjuncts of governmental admins
tration. 1t has control of exports and
of the stupendous task Of licensing do
mestic manufactures and industries.
Everything that has to do with actual
government supervision of trade and COM
merce will come under this board.
Next to 18th and / streets in the old
Gordon Hotel building, where is found
Herbert Hooyer's food administration.
Everybody knows what this is doing-con-
serving food for home supply and for
shipment to the allies, so that there will
be enough for all and nobody unduly hurt
by prices.
At 18th and L streets is the fuel ad-
ministration. Dr. Garfield's board. just at
present the cynosure of all eyes. He and
his coworkers are trying to get coal for
the whole country, and get it quickly.
Leave 'em alone. Wish more power to
them and pass on. If they can't get the
coal by persuasion they are authorized to
use force. and DR.. Garfield yesterday noti-
fed the miners it will be resorted to, II
necessary.