New-York tribune., 1917-07-30
The Emergence of Baker
BY c. w. GILBERT

the council was the easiest way, since
legislation would not be required.
Nevertheless the fact remains, as a re-
suit Of what has happened there IS
nothing in sight n the way OF or
ganization 10 diminish the importance
of the individual Cabinet with billions
70 spend directly upon war-makng. NO
body comes between him and the FFes!-
dent. So | cannot see that my frleAl
diagrams. the hourglass expanding
into a cylinder and the rectangle V"o-
thirds Baker, are not now and are no.
likely 70 remain, until the pressure o.
q national emergency brings new as
pensation, the true picture OF our ae-
veloping war organization.
viii Spend the Money
Perhaps we shall have TO alter the
proportions in mis- diagram. Inc new ooS
budget gives Mr.. Baker $4,000, O,OOO,OOO
more to spend. II we measure our war
activities in the form Of dollars, N.Y.
Baker will soon be more than I"O-
thirds Of our war organization, WIN
marked tendency 70 grow at the eN-
nerse Of all competitors. And Where
on this planet do you encounter power
unless il is where the budget is, espe-
ciaIlv if the budget is accompanied Dy
q mind; and this budget, by general
testimony. is in Just that company.
Tho Council of National Defence
rovar developed power as a body, be
cause IL could develop power only al
The eypense Of its members as lnd!yid-
nails Granted a war board, and Mr:
Baker and Mr.. Daniels become clerks OF
the war board. So, too, would Mr..
Lane Mr.. Houston, Mr.. Wilson and MI
Pedfeld. Men who can only gam cor
norate power by sacrificing their lndI-
,,id,aI mower are not likely 70 deVeLop
corporate power. Indlviduahtes 90
not voluntarily permit themselves TO
be submerged. III
In other words, the obstacle 10 devel-
oning a new war organization is the
oTistinp organization. The men VINO
have mower want TO keep what tney
have and add to il all that IS coming
+bai- Uev. That il a trulsm. Its Dasls
- in human nature, deep in the heart
of man. We have been deceiVlng our
solves. looking at external phenomena
er5 having back in our heads forelgh
one1ocips. What is happening Is WhaJ
has happened in every American war. war
our institutions are tough. Inc ar
Department and the Navy Department
rer+icuIarlv the War Department Is
a,,r examination for war, as they al
,,,svs have been. The future, II cata-
cIysr,ic enough, may change all THIS
But so it is now.
Commands Defence Council
Tho Council Of National Defence
Ia I;kaIv 70 become more than u
,,..e or ever will be. You may tnlhh
of i in terms Of the rectang!e as Two
+birds Raker. You may think OF IL as
poker,s cabinet. without dong. greaJ
,-ioie,ce 70 the facts. And such IL IS
riLeIv N remain. The germ OF growth
;s not in il. It's future will be less sLs-
,ifcsn+ than its past, for the ne" war
IrJrstries Board, owing its powers Dg
IaTsra+ion to Baker and Daniels, VIII
deal directly with them IN PraCyylCe'
whatever it may be expected 70 90 Iheo-
retically. The line OF comm uH'c3''o''
will be short-circuited.
Now can the hour-glass become
cylinder? Il can, whatever may De
true of these two figures IN haIute
Rut will Il? Here we run against .n7
same obstinate law OF human lnsL11u-
tious. the obstacle TO new ins'iyC 1.o- 'l.,'-
i the existing institution. MI. baneL
if he is a big man may place IHS
r,an we all dream of seeing here IN
Washington under himself, in that thin
waist line of the hour-glass, until u
svnsrds ma, so that passage will be uncon-
gestcd ee Sr To do it he will have TO break It
fesrts disappoint hopes Of promotion
,,,a-coroo ,.r,,rs tremendous inertia, the IN
ersIIV ertia Of personal relations. In other
yyords the problem Of a war organlza-
70, is the same. no matter where you
TIace il whether directly under the
presidcrt or under the Presidents Dig
Meanwhile the eyes Of Washington
,re on the man who is 20 have $1,000
400 600 more to spend. In a suoss-
ouent article I shall try to tell no"
Washington sees him.