Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-06-06

wisdom OF establishing n Council OF Ma
tonal Defense. The Captain had a Coun-
Gil Of Defense bill, but his "rumors OF
war" were never taken too seriously and
what might be termed careful consdera-
ton" was never given mis- pet measure.
After the Captains departure, however
the various preparedness plans began to
take shape. until on August 20, 1916, the
army appropriation bill actually carried
an authorization for a Council Of National
Defense.
A Staggering Responsibility
Congress has been obliged to look up
the Council Of National Defense law during
the last week. The influence Of that body
has grown so great that the mere sugges-
tion that II is about to do something be-
comes matter Of moment That it pro-
poses to spend for the United states and
the Allies approximately $4,000, 100000
per annum gives tho council a very re-
spectacle standing in the financial and busi-
ness world. That sum is greater than the
total amount Congress has been asked to
raise for the immediate purposes Of the
war. How then are we to account for
this new and tremendously influential body?
Much light was let in on this subject when
the Urgent Deficiency bill. including a $780,
600 item for the expenses Of the Council
Of National Defense, was reached. The first
and only other appropriation made to the
council was 100000. with that sum the
council managed 10 rent headquarters, pay
clerk hire and the travelling expenses of
its members for tho few months it has
been In operation. but il needed $500 600
more Its work had so expanded, it was
cUntended, that this additional half million
was urgently needed to catch UP with eX-
penditures made or authorized. Very well,
said the conference committee of both
Senate and House, take the money, but bear
in mind that the existence of a state Of
war shall not be construed as enlarging
tho powers or duties of the Council Of
National Defense" which were TO remain
as prescribed by "he act creating said
council approved August %, 1916" In eN-
PLANTATION Of this new expense item the con-
ferees stated that the council was doing
good work and that the Advisory Commits
sion was made up Of business men and trade
experts who were giving the Government
the benefit Of their advice and services
gratuitously. Some questions were asked
about contracts and alleged favoritsm, but
nothing developed to indicate that for the
should attach TO the council.
Powers of the Council
But so much is being said about the
council and its transactions that the spot
light is sure to fall upon it throughout the
war period. There is some confusion of
understanding as to the council, and the
Advisory Commission" Of which the New
York banker, Bernard Baruch, is MEM
ber. Mr.. Baruch and his immediate asso-
Ciates and the business men and trade
eXperts who are cooperating voluntarily
are not members of the council but subor-
dinate TO II. Apparently these latter bodies
have no power to make contracts, nor has
the council, as such that is function OF
the various departments of the Government.
but the council is made up Of the heads OF
the departments, and the heads of depart
ments. being the appointing power, with
the approval of the President IN erect
authorize or recommend contracts TO he
by themselves. Or IN other
words. the Advisory Commission and It's
bodies originate business on
their own account or accept suggestions
from the department heads, but come back
ultimately to the department for approval
after they have arranged details.
Who Constitute the Council
The act Of August 90. 1916, authorizes
the Council Of National Defense. Section >,
which does the business, runs, in part as
follows:
A Council Of National Defense is hereby
established for the coordination OF IN
dustries and resources for the national
security and welfare to consist OF the
Secretary of War, the Secretary of the
Navy, the Secretary Of the Interior, the
Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary OF
Commerce and the Secretary Of Labor
There we have the council-Mr. Baker,
Mr.. Daniels, Mr.. Lane, Mr. Houston, Mr..
Redheld and Mr.. WlsOn-siX secretaries of
the Presidents Cabinet. They are the lead
and the President himself, for
while the law names these particular sec
retarles to be the council, 1t further
provides:
That the Council of National Defense
shall nominate to the President, and the
President shall appoint, an advisory COM
mission, consisting Of not more than seven
persons each of whom shall have special
knowledge of some industry, public util-
ity or the development Of SOME natural
resources, or be otherwise specially quail
fed, in the opinion of the council, for the
performance Of the duties hereinafter
provided.
SO the quiet work Of coordination is not
directly in the hands of the members of the
Cabinet. The details are left TO the Advi-
sorry Commission and subordinate bodies,
and the Advisory Commission named by the
President. which takes over the details, in
tluuluB NolllldNA1 anu tAbSllNlNNANot ohN
which directs the subordinate, or volunteer,
bodies, is made up as follows: Daniel Will
lard, Bernard NJ Baruch, Howard r. Coffin,
Hollis Godfrey, Samuel Gompers, Franklin
II. Martin and julius Rosenwald
Vital to Soldiers and Sailors
That the Advisory Commission and its
bodies are working hard cannot
be denied, The Munsey Building, which
houses most Of those engaged in the work
of coordination is as busy as a beehive.
That the running expenses should have
jumped from the 100000 appropriated in
August last to the additional 100000 just
allowed by Congress is proof enough that
the activities of the commission are in
creasing. And, under the rose, IL is con-
ceded that there should be even greater ac-
tivity to meet the demands Of the War and
Navy Departments in particular Com
plants Of inadequate quarters and Of short
supplies are already reaching Washington.
Guns, equipment and clothing are not in
hand to meet the immediate requirements
OF the thousands of new men who are
daily entering the service. From navy
yard and army camp occasional MUIR
murs are reaching Washington about
the practical side Of unpreparedness.
The Allies are urging the sending of
American troops TO the trenches The ques-
tion Is Are we ready TO send troops? Are
they properly equipped with needed sup
plies 10 sustain them In the field? The prob