Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-09-20
|CREAT|ON Of WAR
COMMITTEE URGED
tAmerican Business Men in Ses-
sion Propose New War.
Time Policies.
PRIORITY LAW SUGGESTED.
Demands Made for Plan That VIII
chasers as for Government.

Atlantic City, N. j., Sept. 19.-Creation
bf a grerat war committee of businessmen
fepresenting all branches Of industries to
deal directly with the government In war
purchases was proposed in resolutions
Sdopted to-day by the manufacturers sec
tion of the war convention of American
businessmen here. A central government
purchasing agency to take over the func-
lions of the war industries board and the
purchasing departments of the army and
havy also was recommended.
The husinessmen's war committee would
be made UP of representatives from every
Industry furnishing goods directly or in
directly to the government. the representa-
tives to be named by the industries them
eelves The resolutions carrying the pro-
posal for It's creation will come before
the full convention Friday.
PRIVATE PURCHASERS INTEREST.
Renewed demands were made at Sec
Hinnal meetings to-day for war price
policy that will mean the same prices for
private purchasers as for the govern
1nent and for a priority law that will
give the government authority to cut Off
supplies to non-essential Industries.
w. ]. Stackhouse of Springfield. Ohio.
and other speakers who addressed the
manufacturers meeting. declared the pow
and sale must be given the government
Immediately, II 1t hopes to wage war sue
Cessfully.
"Preferential treatment must be accord
ved those industries" said Mr.. Stackhouse,
"whose products are vital to the conduct
Of the war. Others must wait. Business
ltself should have a say in the matter of
priority and should go before the govern
snent and say what industries must have
their supplies. ....-. ...-
PROFITEERING DENOUNCED.
Profiteering was denounced by Mr.
Stackhouse in the severest terms. If busi-
ness does not sell it's products at fair
prices. he said. the government will force
prices down.
Resolutions to be introduced tomorrow
will demand that the government, before
It goes further with price fixing make ar
Tangements to deal with the labor situa
tion. Labor. speakers declare, forms thu
base of production costs and cannot b.
ignored in setting up prices the govern
ment and the public will pay for goods
Forced arbitration of labor disputes alst
was advocated.
Walter S. Clifford. director Of the coun
Gil of national life. endorsed the idea O
q business mems committee to speak TO
industry In transactions with the govern
ment. Had there been a complete organiza
ton Of industry at the outbreak of th
war the mobilization, he said, would hav
been far easier.
Commercial economy formed the topi
of one section of the convention to-day
Albert w. Shaw Of Chicago. John II
Fahey of Boston, and others, told thi
meeting that If wasteful methods wer
not eliminated in business the govern
ment would step in and pass laws O
regulation. At this meeting it was pointe
out what already has been accomplishe
stewards doing away with unnecessar
store deliveries. reducing the number c
rwomens styles in dress and in othe
Giirections