Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-11-24
MAY HAVE SOLUTION
OF: BUYING PROBLEM
Government to Give Present
Plan Tryout Through Council
of National Defense.
NO CENTRAL AGENCY NOW

Through the Council of National De-
fense the government has worked out
q tentative solution of the purchasing
problem. recognized to be one of the
most important wartime issues, which
already has been put into operation
and which is believed to be workable.
Because it is desired to give this ar
rangement a thorough tryout. it was
stated at the Council of National De-
tense that the establishment of a CEN
trail purchasing agency, which has
been strongly urged in many quarters.
Is not now contemplated. Because the
public mind is believed to be hazy
about the existing scheme. which has
been developed gradually. and is not
yet completely adjusted. an official of
the council sketched its principles. his
tory and operation.
In the earlier stages of the present
scheme there was friction and fire.
Quent objection, but there is now COM
plete ofticial acquiescence and coop
GRAFTON. it was stated. In brief, the
plan is one by which scores of govern
ment bureaus are submitting lists or
all purchases to be passed upon by the
war industries board of the Council of
National Defense. Immense purchases
now being made by allied governments
In this country pass through the same
channel.
Representatives Of Allies Here.
Each Of these governments which is
buying extensively here has established
Offices In the defense councils building,
and In all these branch offices of the
allied purchasing commissions occupy
one whole wing of the building.
Two broad problems are presented by
hitherto IL
pme Of purchases. ranging from tooth
brushes to cannons, in orders of col
aossal size. to the extent of from TO-
900 to 10000 commodities. One problem
ders which ore considered most neces-
0ary In present exigencies. and the
other Is that OF developing facilities of
production to meet the augmented de-
1nand.
The reason for this plan, instead of
khe central purchasing body, is to avoid
roofing up and wrecking all the buying
agencies created to meet the peculiar
Teaus. all Of which are in close touch
with the sources Of supply, and are
equipped to give specifications OF ex-
actly what Is needed. To abolish these
agencies would mean the creation OF
mammoth purchasing force amid the
confusion and lost motion Of readjust-
ment.
What Brought Demand for Board.
But the unrestrained activity of each
of these agencies means inter-depart-
mental competition, with one bureau
the signing of contracts for all ayaila-
BILE material by the branch of the gov
eminent which least needs such ma
terial. That is what happened early
In the war, and that is what brought
the demand for a central buying board.
To avoid such conflict, the plan of sub
hitting lists to the war industries
board was designed. This board acts
makes possible the diversion of commo-
dities TO the point where they are most
needed, and their superintendent among
the would-be buyers. but also gives the
production should be increased.
Organization of purchasing opera
tons in this decentralized fashion has
been accomplished entirely through
mental and bureau heads concerned.
There is no legal authority by which
the council of national defense can
compel the submission of such lists.
But il Secretary Baker, or Secretary
Daniels, or other cabinet members who
make up the council, order purchasing
agents under them to submit all Lists
to the council. the effect is the same as
To Name Commission Soon.
Within a few days announcement will
be made of the personnel of the pro-
posed war service commission, which
viii seek to divert non-essential in
dustrial plants to the production of
needful commodities. In the matter
OF seeking to make the available sup
plies go around the commercial econ
orny board h4s been of great service
1t has worked especially on the wool
problem, and by consultation with wool
manufacturers has achieved the re-
duction of the Civilian wool consump-
ton by from 80 to 40 per cent, thus re-
leasing that much wool for clothing
and eauipping soldiers.
The commercial economy board also
has conferred with many manufacture
ers of articles for which the demand is
lessened in war time, or production of
which is discouraged by Withholding
coal. transportation or labor When
the plants producing such articles can
not be converted to war time produc-
ton. then owners are encouraged to
slow up production gradually SO that
the Industrial and labor disturbance
will not be too marked.