Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-03
SYSTEM Of BUYING
IS CALLED FAULTY
Senate Discusses Relations of
Advisory Committees and
Purchasing Branches.
CHAMPIONS ALSO FOUND

The predicted discussion OF the relAa
tions between the advisory committees Of
the council of national defense and the
purchasing branches OF the governmental
departments began in the Senate late
yesterday. precipitated by comment Of
Senator Reed on. the subject Of aluminium
supplies furnished the government This
led to general talk about the operations Of
the advisory committees. in which the
volunteer advisers were warmly defend
ed and praised. but in which fault was
found with the system as operated.
Senator Borah commended for the Gre
alton Of tribunal which is TO FIX prices
and charges, taking advantage Of the ad-
vice and counsel Of the men who have
been called to render servtce to the gov
eminent. Senator Borah. Senator Bran
degree and others pointed out that these
men had mot wormed themselves into
this service" that they did not rush
into this position to accomplish some
bate). but had been requested to come
here to help"
Insist System Is Intolerable.
Senators Reed. yardaman and Borah.
however. insisted that the system II
exists is intolerable. Senator Reed
summed up his point in the case he cited
by way OF example. as follows:
1.-The reading OF this testimony dis
closes the fact that there is a subcommit-
tee on aluminium products. that the chair
man Of that committee Is the president
the entire product in the United States.
and that they control all the product that
can now be obtained in the United States.
for the foreign supply Is cut of.
THAT gentleman states that these con-
tracts are referred to h:In for lis Iec-
ommendation. and that it Is The business
Of the committee to supervise the con-
tract. to see whether it is fair in Its
to make their recommendations"
The council of national defense has
recently issued a very full statement of
Its operations since the war was forced
upon the United States and has published
| pamphlet of twenty-six printed pages.
giving the personnel of the subcommittee
which have been organized to deal with
all phases of war preparation.
This document constitutes a roster OF
manufacturers. producers and executives
in all lines Of industry in this country.
1t also includes labor leaders. welfare
workers. sociologists. educators and physi.
they lend their advice to the government
gratis, the only paid persons in the estAb-
lisment being the clerical forces.
When Engaged in Industry.
The policy was followed in appointing
engaged in the particular industry over
which the subcommittee has Jurisdiction.
Telegraph and telephone officials were
given charge OF wire communication: rail-
road officials. Of transportation. Well
known men engaged in manufacture Of
cotton and wooden goods were appointed
on those subcommittee; men at the head
Of large concerns dealing in copper. lead.
brass, cement, lumber, chemicals and for
tilizers headed subcommittee OF aseoci-
ates in the trades.
And so all down the line taking in all
the ramiflcations Of industry in detail.
even to such item as by-products, scrap
iron, mica. alloys. pyrites, etc. In ap-
pointing the advisory committees spe-
cialists were placed in charge OF sub
committees dealing with all the med
ical "ologies." and subcommittee on
various instruments used in hospitals
were created.
While. not all of the men and women
named on these committees have come
to Washington, scores EFF the most
prominent in the industries, and at
their own expense Of subsistence. have
given their time to organise the work
in their charge. Others are busy In
their respective communities and keep
in touch with the head offices here.
It has been foreseen for weeks that
the issue which now has been raised
in Congress was inevitable and men,
bers Of the council and the subcommit-
tees have known they would come in
for criticism because Of their connec-
ton with active business while acting
in an advisory capacity to the govern
ment. They have gone ahead. however,
with the tasks they have been asked
to take up. Notwithstanding.