South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-04
Bic A|RCRAF 7
PROGRAM NOW
WELL BEGUN
Appropriation of S640,000,-
600 Enables Production
of Hundreds of Planes
Each Month.
International News Service

International News Service
WASHINGTON. oct a. - The
council of national defense has to-
day completed its greatest con
tribution 90 the war work OF the
United States. This is the direction
of the spending of S64O.0O0.0OO for
aircraft Americas aircraft pro
gram. now fully under way. was
given its start by the aircraft pro-
duction board of the council Of ma
tional defense.
Since its organization i'm March.
1917, the council of national defense
has been an extremely busy organ
ization. but its accomplishments
have been unheralded. This is
partly because the council has been
a cooperative body, working largely
under the authority vested i'm other
government bodies.
Today. however, the accomplish
ments of the council of national de-
Tense are in part set forth here.
There is much work which has been
done which cannot be disclosed for
military reasons.
Aircraft Work.
The aircraft production board has
been the largest tangible feature OF
the council Under the direction of
Howard r Coffin, the aircraft pro
duction board has governed the eX-
penditure of an appropriation of
s64O.OOO,OCO. The industries OF the
United States are so coordinated
today that America will he produc-
ing hundreds of aircraft monthly by
early winter This has been a part
of the work OF the council Of ma
tional defense.
American railways 200 miles
Of them-are today under govern
ment control, operating under gov
eminent direction and cooperating i'm
every way with the government.
This has been accomplished through
the railway committee of the coun-
Gil of national defense. The task
Of lining up these railroads and ar
ranging schedules and rates 10 meet
government needs has. been titanic.
but it is done
Mobilization of Medics.
Mobiliza ton of the medical forces
II
by the medical committee of the
council Thousands of American
nurses are listed and on call for ser
vice. Thousands of doctors have been
added 70 the medical corps. through
the recruiting efforts of the medical
committee Of the council Of national
defense.
Millions OF dollars have been
added 10 the medical corps, through
the recruiting efforts of the medical
/ committee of the council of national
defense.
Millions Of dollars have been
saved for the United states govern
ment by the supplies committee Of
the council It is impossible 10 es-
innate the savings, but it was stated
today that an example is the saving
of $4,000. 600 made for the war de-
partment on a recent order Of shoes
amounting TO $1,000, 900.
More than 400 American colleges
are today teaching war subjects and
fitting men for technical positions
in the army and navy. This mobn-
ization Of education has been ae-
complished by the educational com
mittee Of the council.
Save Cost of Commerce.
Twenty per cent of the cost or
the domestic commerce of the United
States has been saved. This has
been done by the commercial econ
on,v board OF the council.
Coordination Of labor forces. end
less research work and mobilza-
ton OF the forces of the country
have all been done by the cocncli
with decisive and successful. al
though intangible results.