The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-04-06
Man and Woman Power of
Nation Also Being Mo-
bilized Fast.
ALL EAGER TO DO BIT
Ship Builders and Other
Manufacturers Ignore
Profits in Crisis.
ARMY AND NAVY READY
Plans Perfected to Increase
Both Arms Vastly and Use
Nations Full Power.

WASHINGTON, April g.. When the
United States enters the war 1t will have
behind 1t resources. actual and potential,
which probably have never been euualled
by those of any other nation in the his
tory Of the world. Into the balan nee
against Germany will be thrown navy
OF great strength and efficiency and an
army which. while small, is highly ef-
ficient. and back of It a citizenry Of
more than c0,0O0.O00 men capable OF
military duty and Industrial resources
incomparably the greatest the world has
known.
The navy has cleared its decks Of an
t!quated membranes added new units !;
modernised to meet German tactics and.
through the patriotic cooperation of ship
and material makers, is hurrying to conf
pletion other great fighting craft that
will be the last word in power and
efficiency. Authorized only ten days ago
to recruit to the full war strength Of
$1,000 men. the navy Is receiving VOL
unteers at q rapid rate.
The eight hour labor regulation as It
applies to naval work has been sus-
pended by the Presidents order. and
various agencies are helping insure an
adequate supply Of skilled and Lnskilled
labor. Builders have laid aside private
work on which profits amour: to as
much as so per cent TO give precedence
to navy work on basis of cost plus 10
per cent. profit
New Naval Bases Planned.
The special naval board has worked
out detailed plans for realigning the
whole system OF naval bases. Recon-
mendations are before Congress and as
soon as authorization is given the es-
tablishment OF new bases and the en-
iargenent of those existing can begin
Around some of these bases and other
strategic coast points great steel sub
marine nets have been swung and con-
tracts have been awarded for a thou
sand more nets. each OF them 1850 feet
long.
Besides the 1873 midshpmen commits
stoned ahead OF time n class of 200 Will
be graduated at Annapolis in Septem-
her. For the first time clerical and other
shore positions in the Navy Department
have been opened to women and re-
oruiting stations have been unable to
handle the food Of applications which
has followed the call for recruits. The
Marine Corps has been Increased to
1900 men.
Hundreds Of contracts have been let
for the coast patrol OF submarine Chasers
and many other small craft have been
offered by private owners. So far as the
organization of the mosquito fleet has
progressed. moro than score OF basee
have been established along the Atlantic
and Gulf coasts. and n senior officer has
been detached t. command this new
navy unit Tie vessels, armed with
guns large enough to sink the largest
| submarine will he officered In many
| cases by their former owners. who have
volunteered. Secretary Daniels hopes
to have at least 1000 such boats In op-
Grafton soon.
The army, in need OF tralned men and
| officers, Is employing unusual means to
prepare any force which Congress may
authorize. Hundreds OF applications for
,, commissions in the officers reserve corps
are being accepted. and even men with
out military training are being accepted
as second l!eutenS0ts,. Units have been
established In many colleges, where thou
sands of students are In training. and
enlisted men who could take commands
have been designated for commissions
| from every regiment Of regulars. Sec
retary Baker has ordered the graduation
! OF the juno class at West Point on April
! 20. without additional authorize tion by
Congress. the regulars and guardsmen
could be recruited TO a combined strength,
! OF zoo. 900. and detailed plans for what
! ever larger army may be authorized
have been prepared.
Army Supplies Assembled.
The army is we'll provided with sup
plies. Rifles and other equipment are
| already in hand and enormous contracts
! have been let. Clothing manufacturers;
have united In expediting the making OF
uniforms. as have other industrial on
terpr!ses in supplying other material.
! Much OF the new equipment will go TO
| the National Guard, which is being re-
cru,ted rapidly. The Governors of sew
ersl States have called for volunteers
! and the Adjutant- Generals of all States
have been ordered to make every prepa
ration for rapid mobilization. Machin-
| ery for a volunteer army OF from 500. 900
to 1000. 600 men has been provided. or
the stan Is ready to go ahead as hest 1t
can with the present regular and Ma
| tIonal Guard system, Knowing the un-
certainties OF Congressional action il
has overlooked no alternatives.
The National Defence Council. CONS
posed of a majority OF the Cabinet mem
bers and with an advisory commission
Of seven leaders in the hclds on which
tho nation will draw most heavily In
war--transportatlon labor. munitions
raw materials, medicine supplies and
science and reseaNh--has been active
IT has created a commercial economy
board. with authority to deal with the
| crucial problem Of wsxtlmc distribution
of comm odites. Experienced economists
! Continued on Second Page.