The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-05-24
EXPERTS OFFER AID
DONATION FOR WAR
General Supply Committee
Would Give Services.
WIDE EXPERIENCE VALUABLE
Ready to Serve in Any Way Outside
Of Regular Duties.

Another manifestation OF the practi-
cal patriotism with which the atmo-
sphere OF the nation Is charged, occur
red recently, when the general supply
committee of the United States Govern
ment, through a letter from its chair
man, rendered to the nation, without
compensation, such extra services
upon the part Of its members during
the present war as It might be found
desirable to employ.
This committee, created by the
legislative, executive, and judicial
appropriation act of June II. 1910,
consists OF ten officials serving as
the personal representatives OF their
respective secretaries OF departments,
and Is charged with standardizinE
and contracting for all materials,
supplies, and equipment for the en-
tire Federal establishment in wash
ington, as well as for many of its
services in the field. During the
seven years. of its operation, the
committee has developed a highly ef-
ficient system Of centralized Govern
ment supply. and has effected econ
omies for the service running into
Experience IL Valuable.
With its broad experience, its ex-
pert and exhaustive knowledge OF
Government needs, and the conf
dence and respect of the entire bust
ness world which 1t enjoys, this COM
mission is qualified to function very
valuably to the nation in connection
with the manifold problems OF sup
ply and commercial organization
which enter so Importantly into mod
ern warfare.
The text OF the chairman's letter
follows:
Hon Byron r. Newton,
Assistant Secretary OF the Treas
ury.
my Dear Mr.. Newton: In behalf
OF, and at the direction OF the gen.
eral supply committee. have the
honor to tender to the Government,
through you, delegated by the Secre-
tary OF the Treasury to exercise d.
rect supervision over the operation OF
the general supply committee. for
such utilization during the present
crisis as 1t may elect, any
time and services OF the members
OF the committee as are not required
In the performance OF the duties i'm
posed upon them by the legislative, |
and judicial appropriation |
act OF June IL, 1910 GAG Stat, 1927, |
which act created the general supply |
During the past seven years the |
general supply committee has func- |
TONED as the central standardlzing !
and contracting agency for all the |
departments and independ |
emit establishments OF the Govern
nent OF the United States In Washing !
ton, and for a number OF the field |
services thereof. and through the per-
Torrance OF this very broad and re-
'ponsible public work has developed /
INTO a widely experienced, highly /
and very efficient bust
ness instrument
Personnel Of Committee.
at is our thought at this time that
he committee may now be IN a posi-
ion to render an even broader public
Iervice than It has performed hereto
'ore. and 1t Is my pleasure and privil- I
sge to advise you that each and every
member OF the general supply com
nittee gladly places at the disposal
II the Government, without compen-
iation, such extra services in add
ion to the statutory obligations i'm
,osed upon them, as It may be found
desirable 10 employ.
Respectfully.
WILLIAM J. TURKENToN,
Chairman"
The following officials constitute
he personnel OF the general supply
committee: william ]. Turkenton,
lavy Department, chairman: Albert
J. Drane, War Department, vice chair
nan; Clinton r. Whitney, State De
,artment; Guy v. Norwood. Treasury
Department.; Louis c. Tracy. Depart.
nent OF Justice: Frederick II. Austin.
oostoffice Department.; Don z.
'larke, Interior Department: James
:. Jones, Department OF Agriculture:
1. c. Allen. Department of Commerce, j:
md william A BeVard, Department