Arizona republican., 1917-07-13
G|VE INF F|N|TELY ] MORE TO NATION THAN |S RECEIVED
Republican A. p. Leased Wirel


 V ASHlNGTON. July 12.-Relation of business men to the government was described today by Franklin K. Lane, secretary of the interior and one of the six cabinet members who com pose the Council of National Defense. Answering talk in congress and else where suggesting that members of the council are in position to make con- tracts with themselves and thus derive personal profit from the war MT. Lane said the business men composing the advisory commission have no control over contracts and in fact give to the government infinitely more than they receive. Analysing the organization further Mir. Lane gave high uraise to the business men, experts in their sev- er1l fields of industry, who comprise the many committees on supplies, in cluding raw materials of all kinds and manufactures
 The statement was given to The As sociated Press as the result of inquir- ies concerning recent criticism of the commission and a persistent report that reorganization of the council is imminent. The response was charac- teristically frank from the opening of cabinet members constituting the council making any personal profit out of contracts,
 We have nothing to sell" he said 'When it is considered that the Coun- ci of National Defense consists of Secretary Baker a lawyer; Secretary Daniels, an editor; Secretary Lane, lawyer: Secretary Houston, a college president; Secretary Redfield. a retired business man; Secretary Wilson, a la lor union official-you will realize that there is not much chance for that charge being true
 No. nobody thinks that we are dealing with ourselves. The confusion has come about because of the peculiar organization of the council Get into your head one or two facts and you will see how this confusion has arisen. The Council of National Defense buys nothing. That body was created by congress as a measure of preparedness Co mobilize resources-a sort of stock 1o'5ino body. If we came to war what did we have in the way of resources to make war with? That was the idea. ] is not war council, in the English sense. which can direct policies. The president is our war council. Ii is not q purchasing board because there is not a man on it who can buy anything excepting the secretaries of war and navy and the council cannot direct them what to buy
 But it is a very important board, nevertheless. It is supposed to know just what the government needs for the carrying on of the war. and just where it can be had.
 When congress provided for thls council. it created a supplemental body hich is sometimes confused with the council itself. which is called the ad- Visory commission, and these are real business men. They are nominated to tie president by the council and ap- DC inted bv him. These gentlemen do- nate their services ard were chosen because they were specialists, success fuI specialists. I doubt if any country in Europe could produce Q finer body
 Mir. Lane reviewed briefly the achievements in the business world oi those who comprise the advisory com
 The functions of these gentlemen, mission.
 he said, lis to advise the Council o N, :,tfonal Defense. They make no con tracts They have no executive or ad' mnistrative power.
 That is the full legal machinery-f
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