The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-05-26
MAY POOL BUYING.
PLANS MAKING FOR COORDINA.
TION OF PURCHASES.
Expenditure OF Ten Billion Dollars a
Year to Be in Single Officials
Hands.

washington, May "a pro-
gramme under which the American
government virtually would pool its
purchasing. for the sake Of attaining
maximum efficiency with that of all
/ the allies, construct buying ma
chine into which hundreds of ex-
perts in many lines would fit as cog
wheels and place one man in charge
of the whole gigantic enterprise, is
under consideration and fast assum-
ing definite outline.
This man would be the worlds su-
perbuyer. Into his hands the nations
at war with Germany would place
approximately $4,000. 900. 900 a year,
store of money exceeding the tabled
fortunes of the ancient Incas and with
no parallel in modern history.
So far has the program progress
ed that the officials entrusted with it's
execution already have a definite idea
as to whom they will choose. While
no final decision has been reached as
to whether one man or a small COM
mission shall be chosen, indications
are that it will be one man and that
his selection will be announced with
in the next fortnight.
| C~eat Britain, France, Russia, Italy,
japan and Belgium will sign an
agreement making the plan effective
as soon as the tremendous amount of
detail can be adjusted. At present
the programme hinges on the extent
to which the United States will par
ticipats
| Plans are being formulated under
which the needs of the American
army and navy would be placed in
the hands Of the commission. Here
tofore, the navy has been supplied
by it's own buyers and the army SIM
ilarly has been furnished everything
it requires. from brass buttons to
heavy artillery. through the war de-
partment.
The army and navy, experts esti-
mate. will spend approximately $3.-
500, 100000 during the first year of
war. The allies will spend approx
imatcly $4,000, 100000 q year, more II
American credit and American pro-
ducers can make it possible to make
them spend more. To eliminate du.
plication Of export and competitiv
bidding. it is proposed to bring al
these vast purchases under the direc-
ton of single organization.
To do this the war department and
the navy department would have te
surrender, in theory-but not in fact
officials say-a part Of their purchas-
ing prerogatives.
The mechanism of the organization
would consist primarily Of a directing
head and subdivisions or bureaus
each in charge of purchases of cer-
tain commodities. AS advisers, the
organization would probably consult
financial and other experts.
The bureau in charge Of foodstufs
purchases would rank among the
most important of the subdivisions.
Present plans call for placing re-
sponsibility for all such purchases in
the hands of a man known the world
over for his ability along this line.
To him would be given the task of
coordinating American food equitably
among the allies and Of keeping such
close check upon production and out
go that there would be no shortage
Of necessities among the American
people themselves. To assist this bu-
reau head there would be an army
of expert buyers, familiar with Ameri-
can markets.
Equally important would be the
munitions bureau. To this subdivi-
sion would fall the work of coordi-
mating the allies and Americas de-
mands for munitions. Experts from
the army and navy probably would
play an important part in this bureau.
They would be assisted by large
field force to keep a close record of
output, producing ability of American
munitions plants and the needs of
American military and naval estab-
lishments, which, of course, would
take precedence over the needs of
the allies.
The worlds greatest clothing buyer
would have charge of another subdi.
vision Of the organization; a separate
bureau probably would be devoted to
the purchase of coal and oil for fuel;
another to railway equipment and
| another to many other groups of
military necessaries.