South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-03-24
Council of Defense is Map
ping Out Program to Pre-
vent Duplication and
Big Profits.
NAVY ACC0MPLlSHES
WONDERFUL RESULTS
Method of Submarine Defense
Which Protects VitaIS of
the Nation is Put In
to Operation.
international News Service:

international News Service:
WASHINGTON. March 24.-MiI-
itary, naval. financial and industrial
problems Of the greatest moment
were under discussion here today.
The council of national defense.
with its auxiliary advisory commit
tee. took up behind closed doors the
immediate questions OF standardiz-
ing all defense work. As a result
Of the conference il was stated ar
rangements are well in hand which
will prevent Implications. excessive
profits and promote Standardization
in every line.
So far as the army and navy
plans are concerned. everything has
been done that can be accomplished
without additional authority from
congress. The naval work especial
" is gratifying 10 officials. Never
before in the country's history has
so much been accomplished by any
branch Of the national service as
has been done by the navy since
Jan. I, while in the interval. since
Germany proclaimed her unrestrict-
ed submarine plans. a method OF
submarine defense has been devised
and put into operation which pro-
tects the vitals OF the nation.
Finances Are Strong.
Plans along financial lines are
being perfected in connection with
the federal reserve board. 1t is said
by officials Of that body that the ma
ton Is in perfect shape to finance
"a war OF any duration. Suggestions
that this country can loan the al
lies all the money that they require
continue 10 be made by leading gov
eminent officials. IL is known that
the cabinet discussed such a p'opO-
sition yesterday but without decid-
ing on any final action. Con gress
would have TO authorize any such
action and there is little doubt that
under existing circumstances at
least. there would be opposition that
might complicate legislation design
ed TO give authority. The entire
situation. however, may be changed
between now and April .. when the
extraordinary session convenes.
II was stated that assurances have
been received by the federal reserve
board and Sec'y Of the Treas. Nc
Adoo that If congress shall author
lie an initial government war obli-
cation OF one billion dollars the en-
tire issue viii he taken over by the
big financial center in less than "a
hours. Americas stock OF gold has
been estimated by no less an author
itv that Thomas w Lamont Of
Morgan and CO. AT 23.15O.OOO.O 900.
What this would mean thrown into
the scales against Germany is plain
Skilled Labor Ready.
Nfassinc OF skilled labor will be
another easy task. Alreadr a pre-
liminarv survey has been taken TIL
IS, said that an immediate census Of
skilled and unskilled workers will
he undertaken 10 shc,v just how
many women are available for work
I'm every industry which is i'm any
way affected 10y the war. With
hundreds Of great manufacturing
Establishments in every part Of the
country already offered 20 the gov
eminent for its use. IL was agreed
that the getting OF men 20 keep such
plants in operation - hours a day
was the next move.
Sec'v Of Labor Wilson and Samuel
Gompers. head Of the American
Federation Of Labor. have the labor
problem we'll I'm hand. according to
the reports presented 90 the council
~ defense TO-DAY
Attack Made Worse.
The official reports of the sinking
of the Healdton made the attack
even worse than appeared at first
Glance. Not only was the vessel
sunk ir the safety zone which Ger
nlauy herself has proclaimed hut
.he lights which were used 10 IL
Illuminate the name and the Amer
an nas painted ON the side of the
vessel were utilized by the sub
marine commander as target
officials today said 10 was very
plsir that che present object 90 the
German submarine campaign is to
rorce AN neutral craft 90 stay in
port The immediate object az
.siurI $50 FAR cas- the United states
concerned. IS Co hasten the arm
ing of merchant ships which are IN
the tEsns-oceaR trade.