The Washington times., 1917-12-25
DANIEL WILLARD
MAY Be MUNITIONS
OR RAILROAD HEAD

According to a Washington dis
patch in the Baltimore Sun, Daniel
willard, chairman Of the war muni
tions board and president OF the Bslti'
more and Ohio railroad, was in confer
ence with President Wilson for
nearly an hour yesterday, and, while
no announcement was made by either
party, It is understood that the gen
eral railroads and munitions situation
was discussed.
Incidentally, this conference gave
circulation to reports that Mr.. willard
had been picked either TO head a new
department OF munitions, with seat
in the Cabinet, or TO take over the
management OF the American railroad
system. under whatever pun the
President may have decided upon.
At best, however, these are merely
rumors. In the first place there is not
now a department OF munitions, and
it is not known whether or not the
President favors the creation OF such
. division of the Government. For
several weeks there has been agita-
tion in Congress for the establishment
Of q new Governmental department
having full authority over the pro-
duction and even the delivery OF mum
tions to the American troops in the
field.
Munitions Post Necessary.
The necessity for such department
has been somewhat emphasized by the
recent revelations of delay and inde-
cision in the production OF arms and
ammunition under the present Ord
nance Bureau system. Whether the
President has been converted to the
creation OF another Cabinet portfolio.
however, has not been indicated at
the White House or by any OF his
close friends.
should the new department be
asked for by the President and ere
ated by Congress, the most natural
thing for the President to do would
be to OFFER the secretaryship OF 1t to
Mr.. willard At the present time the
Baltimorean Is head OF the organiZa-
tion which lxes the price Of all war sup
plies which this Government and the
allies buy in American markets. He
was chosen for this station by the
President, after. q most thorough can
vass OF the country. And IL an execu-
tive department is established, absorb
ing the present War Munitions Board.
Mr. willard would seem to be the
logical man to head it
In other quarters today It was re-
ported that the President and Mr..
willard confined their conference to
the railroad question. This Is q prob
lem which the President is studying
carefully, preparatory to q presenta-
tion Of his views upon IT to Congress
after the Christmas recess. 1t is gen
orally agreed in Washington that the
President expects to place the rail
roads under more immediate control
by the Government and to place at
the head OF the whole system a d.
rector of his own choosing.
Many Names MentIOned.
Various names have been mentioned
in print as possible selections OF the
President for this job. Secretary
McAdoo, Frank A vanderlip. Presi-
dent Hadley, OF Yale University; for
mer President Taft. and a number of
other leading American citizens have
been mentioned in this connection.
But it is easily conceivable that
the President will name an expert
railroad man as the executive OF the
railroads, IL such an official il found
necessary. Among the railroad presi-
dents Of the country none has the
confidence of the Chief Executive to
q greater degree than has Mr.. willard.
1t may be, therefore, that the report
to the effect that Mr.. Willard may
head the railroads OF the country has
some basis in fact