New-York tribune., 1917-07-16
Concentration Is Lacking
Now, Says Chamber of
Commerce Head
Authority Is Essential
Council Is Unable to Take
Decisive Action on War
Questions

Washington, July 15.-Formation of
board Of national defence, with pow
ers to make important decisions and TO
act on its own authority, is advised by
Waddill Catchings, chairman Of COM
mittee of the Chamber of Commerce of
the United States, as solution of the
problems which confront the present
advisory organization. He points out
that there is now no board or depart
ment concerned exclusively with the
concentration Of all efforts toward pro-
curing materials and supplies for war.
In this condition he finds much OF the
cause for the criticism and misunder-
standing concerning the part business
men have so far taken in war prepara-
tions.
In Washington to-day Mr.. Catch
ings points out, I'VE have the machin-
cry of the government departments as
developed in time Of peace. In addl-
tion there is the Council Of National
Defence, the Shipping Board, the Food
Control Organization developing around
Mr.. Hoover and the Exports Council.
All act independently of one another.
Council a Peace Board
"The Council Of National Defence
because of its name, might be thought
to be a means of developing concen-
trated effort, but il was created in time
OF peace. 1t is vested with no power TO
act, and unless granted this power can
not possibly become the central organ
of defence in time of war. The council
consists OF the secretaries Of War, Navy,
Interior, Agriculture, Commerce and
Labor. The Secretary OF the Treasury
is not a member. The President, who,
above all, is concerned with national
defence, never meets with the council.
The council has an advisory commits
sion, but meets with it only once a
month. There are numerous commit
tees Of the council and of the advisory
commission, but these committee chair
men never meet.
pending the working out of a gen
eral plan, the Council Of National De
fence has been the centre and nucleus
Of our first efforts in the war. This
body OF experienced men has met thc
practical situations as thew have ariser
from day 20 day, and has rendered ser
vice OF the highest value during the
time when the nature of our problem
was becoming clear. With full real
ization OF what they have done plans
can now be formed for a more direct
attack upon the problems which have
arisen"
When it is understood that there ha'
been no general scheme and no genera
authority, Mr. Catchings goes on, wha'
the advisory committees of the Counci
of National Defence have been able tc
accomplish is remarkable. The wonder
is not that no more has been done, but
that so much has been done, he says.
Decisive Action Needed
Among the clearly defined problem
confronting Washington to-day" Mr.
Catchings explains, "none is so impor'
tant as the need for some board of ma
t,onal defence or war board, which car
reach decisions on the many problem
otker than military problems. settle
differences Of judgment, stop debate
and take decisive action-a board
which can formulate general plans and
undertake the solution of problems af'
fecting all branches OF the government
involved in the war; board which can
receive and carry out instructions IRON
the President and the Cabinet and CO.
ordinate all efforts toward procuring
materials and supplies for the war. The
need for such board is evident.
There is the question OF the price
the government is TO pay for materials
and supplies where the demand is SO
much greater than the supply that re-
lance can no longer be had upon the
equilibrium of supply and demand To
determine a fair price. Famine prices
prevail for many materials. No gen
eral plan has been developed to meet
this condition"