New-York tribune., 1917-12-13

NtOU tOTTcSpOhOtHft
WASHINGTON. Dec. l2.-Denial that
ministry Of munitions would solve
the American problem as effectively as
it had solved that Of Great Britain was
made by Daniel Willard. chairman Of
the War INDUSTRIES Board, at the after
noon session Of the War Service com
mittees here to-day.
Mr.. Willard discussed the industrial
end Of the war. He analyzed some OF
the criticism which he said had been
lcycllcd al The plan of activities Of the
government as evidenced IN the woIk
OF the board. of which he has recently
become chairman. IL has been said,
Mr.. Willard remarked. that the present
plan will not get results, but, he point
ed out, any plan would fall short OF the
ideal.
After saying that legislation by Con-
greSs will be necessary before the
country can have a plan Of one central
lied control for purchasing such as the
British Ministry Of Munitions. nj.
Willard said that because a Ministry oil
Munitions had been established in Ing
land IL does not follow that such a plan
would be successful here.
Mr. Willard contrasted the smailness
OF Great Britain with the vast geo.
graphical limits Of the United states
and said that while one-man control IN
a small country might be highly sue
cessful. there might be reason against
one-man Capitalization is country OF
tho great size Of the United States,
Clearance Committee Described
Mr.. Willard then took up the man
ner in which the War Industries Board
works through its clearance commit
tee. which meets each morning and
takes up the details Of the demands
of various government departments
for steel, iron. copper and other basic
materials. This work he described.
He said he thought there never was
and is no need for disturbing the pres
ent plan Of the Navy Department IN
regard 20 competitive bidding. lie
smoke of the allotment of contracts
for other government departments and
said the plan in use for these depart
ments is working well, and he does not
think that either should be disturbed.
zone mistake" Mr.. Willard said,
"hss been mare. We have concen-
trated our orders too much in certain
localities. This has brought about
housing problem, too great demand
for electric power, and transporta-
ton problem" This mistake and other
similar conditions, Mr.. Willard said,
had brought about the appointment by
the Council of National Defence OF
George y. Peak, industrial representa-
tive Of the War Industries Board, who.
Mr.. Willard said, is to find out what
factories, power plants, etc, are idle
or not running on full time, and gather
information which will aid in distrib-
uting the load of production for the
war in all localities and among all
producers.
Mr.. Willard said there had been an
overdrain. for instance, on the cleo
trical energy produced from Niagara
Fails. This. he said. has led through
natural steps TO transportation prob
lens. He supported the statements
made at the morning session by Di-
rector Clifford concerning the wrong
impression which has gone abroad
among the business men Of the coun-
try, as 10 the so-called "non-cssen-
tials.'
Mr.. Willard pointed out somc indus
tries are and will be more essential
than others in the winning Of the war,
but he said il has come 10 be gener-
ally understood in Washington that
there Is no such thing as non-cssen-
tial industry. Nevertheless, Mr.. vii
lard said, there cannot be such a state
Of mind rs business as usual That
phrase, he said originated in Eng
land at the outbreak Of the European
war. had done England more harm
than any other thing in business. The
thing to do. he said, is TO realize and
work for business for the war
Mr.. Willard paid a high tribute TO
the American business man, and said
that the experience Of his board has
been that every business man will
freely and voluntarily do under the
American democracy the same things
that under a foreign autocracy he
would be obliged 10 do.