The sun., 1917-05-24
BARUCH MAY BE
ALLIES BUYER
Spending of $9,000,000, 900
for Nations at War to Be
Concentrated.
TO POOL DEMANDS OF ALL
New Commission Designed to
Cut War Short and Keep
Costs Down.
TO POOL DEMANDS OF ALI.

WASHINGTON, May 23.-The plan fof
central allied commission to supervise
all purchases of food, munitions and
supplies to be made in this country By
the allied Governments as we'll as by
the United States has reached the point
where the discussion If centred around
the selection OF the man best fitted TO
WELD the tremendous power to be lodged
in the head OF this commission.
Secretary McAdoo has said that the
allied Governments might be expected
within the next year to spend $4,000
100000 in the country and that this
country might be expected to spend
$4,000. 100000. The commission to be
appointed will supervise the expenditure
OF much Of this vast amount.
Formal announcement OF the plan to
be based on an agreement entered into
by all of the allied Governments awaits
the return to Washington of Mr..
McAdoo. The President and his Cabinet
have already under consideration a list
Of candidates. 1t is understood that one
of those under most serious considera-
ton is Bernard NJ. Baruch. Mr.. Baruch.
II was learned to-day. has been un-
other Governments IN making what pur-
chases they have found 10 be necessary,
pending the consummation OF the plan
for purchasing commission.
End Of Fiscal Agents.
With the extension OF credit to these
Governments by the United States the
old arrangements they had for making
purchases in this country through fiscal
agents came to an end. In the future
they have expressed willingness that this
Government shall virtually supervise all
purchases to be made here.
Some OF the Governments have been
under no necessity of making immediate
purchases. In the case OF Russia. how
ever, 1t has been necessary to go ahead
with the arrangements for the purchas-
ing OF 1000 steel freight cars and 500
large locomotives In order that these
might be shipped while her ports were
open. This Is one OF the matters In
which Mr.. Baruch has been assisting
Mr. Baruch has been one of the mos,
active members OF the advisory COM
mission OF the Council OF National De-
fence. Since the war began he has
made his home in Washington and has
given his whole time to the Government.
AS chairman of the committee on raw
materials he has conducted the nego-
tiatons whereby producers OF steel, cop
per, aluminium and other raw mater Is
have reduced their prices greatly to the
Government His work has been recog-
nized as one OF the most valuable per-
formed during the present war. the
fact that he had been delegated to as
sist representatives of the Allies in maxi
ing purchases recently is considered
highly significant.
Object Il to Win the War.
Should Mr., Baruch be selected to head
the purchasing commission It Is prob
able that he would have to give up his
membership in the advisory commission.
The purpose OF the plan is to effect CO.
ordination in the purchasing of all sup
plies to prevent competition and securs
an equitable distribution OF the re-
sources Of this country for the common
purpose OF waging the war.
Purchasing plans will be worked out
by different agencies. but will have 10
have the final approval OF the commits
sion. II will thus be entrusted with
more power than any body yet named.
1t will be strictly an international COM
mission in that 1t will be established
according to present plans by agree
ments to be signed shortly by represen-
tatives OF each OF the allied Govern
mcnts.
All purchases by the army and navy
are to be submitted to this commission
before being made under the tentative
plans worked out. This commission
will have before II the application of the
other Governments for supplies of the
same nature and will therefore have the
function OF a priority board. The inter-
departmental feature OF the plan so far
as II affects this Government is now re-
ceiving it's finishing touches.
For some weeks the army and navy
have been pooling many Of their pur-
chases. This will be adopted as a gen
eral plan when the commission gets
under way.
The different Governments are shortly
to present list OF their future require
ments. So far as Russia is concerned
the British Government has outlined
these in the report of the Milner COM
mission. which report was turned over
TO Assistant Secretary Crosby yester-
day by the British representative. Mr.
Crosby is now going over II to ascertain
how much credit will be necessary &c