New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-13

lead TO the same complications which
arose in the ease of the trade commit
tees that had been debarred by the Ma
tional Council OF Defence because Of
the suspicion that men could not both
serve the government properly and
trade with themselves. Besides. the
government now had is own experts in
every trade field. he had heard it sug-
gested that these war service commit
tees should have a standing representa-
tive in Washington, but he wished they
would go slow with tnat idea There
were already great many committees
in Washington and housing conditions
were very difficult.
That was the first cold, untouching
embrace
Willard Speaks in Defence
Later Mr. Willard spoke. defending
almost apologetically the existing
mechanism of war conduct. He strong.
ly emphasized, as did also Edwin B
Parker, representing the priorities
board; Harry A. Garfield. the fuel ad-
ministra,or; Clarence VI. Wooley, OF
the war trade board, and p B. Noyes
who elaborated Mr.. Gariield's ideas
that the phrase "non-essential indus
tries" had been unfortunately miscon-
strued. Business would be treated as
tenderly as possible.
That was not what the chairmen OF
over 100 war service committees had
come TO hear. The governments
-nnal.a-y tf,- ~ hn,,frLt +bn,-
more interested in that than in any
thing else. Therein lay the misunder-
standing. Mr.. Clifford had said they
were entitled to know that nobody
would be hurt more than was absolute
ly necessary. Nobody was really con-
cerned about that. Everyone would
take it for granted.
Business Speaks for Itself
When the governments speakers
were all through and gone away, busi-
ness spoke for itself. 1t was like a
blast Of fresh air.
The chsirman of the Pharmaceut:ca
War Service committe arose and said
in effect, professional experts be
damned. 'Let the government give US
a plot of what it wants and when il
wants it. and we viii deliver it, From
that it became an experience meeting
pervaded by a spirit OF such patriotism
as the government either does not COM
prehend or lacks the will and vision to
crystalline for purposes of war;
Then President Rhett delivered a re-
markable speech. He reread the Allan
tic City declaration, and rededicated
American business to the proposition
that the war must be won by unlimited
sacrifice. That was what the chairmen
of the War Service Committees had
come to hear. as the governments
spokesman ought to have known.
Committee Is Reconstructed
American business is desperately op-
timistic. In the evening it proceeded to
elaborate the mechanism of an indus.
trial var service which the government
may or may not be pleased to "recog-
rize.' The old War Committee. which
failed in its efforts TO cooperate with
the Council of National Defence. was
reconstructed as Central War Indus
tries Committee of the Chamber of Com
merce of the United States. It's func-
tion will be to perfect. extend and as
sist the organization of war service
committees to represent all of the great
industries in their relations with the
government during the war.
Each committee will be expected 10
conduct an intensive survey Of its own
industry. to develop the data of its po-
tentialities and resources. to Keep itself
informed Of conditions and to be pre-
pared on notice 20 give the government
ANYTHING il wants
The government. it is hoped, will be
ultimately persuaded 10 accept the war
Service committees as the most ef-
fective points Of contact with the in
dustries. Which remains to be proved
The government now prefers dealing
with industry through experts of it's
own.
(GOrerTmcDt experts discuss reid-
tiors betWecn business and Car-
Willard opposes munitions ministry
ON Page 81