The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-02-27
united STATES IS
ORGANIZING FOR war
Quietly the Government is Blend
ing all Branches Into Concrete
Form Of Preparedness
BILLION DOLLARS In RESERVE

UNITED STATES PREPARATIONS
WASHINGTON, Feb 26.-This coun-
try is proceeding unobtrusively in the
greatest mobilization Of energies and
the history Of the world.
So quietly is this work being carried
on that the public is scarcely aware
that it is in progress. Yet definite ar
rangements for the cooperation with
the Government of all the great indust- !
rial, financial, commercial, scientific,
labor and educational forces of the ma
tion have advanced to the point of the
selection Of trained experts to head the
several branches Of allied forces, which
ultimately will bring the United States
to condition Of thorough prepared
ness for any eventuality.
While the enormous sums contained
in the various appropriation bills al
ready passed, or in course Of being pas
sed, will be utilized to some extent in
the plans now being prepared, the lat
ter are in a sense independent Of the
items for naval construction and IL
crease in military efficiency.
In working out the scheme for mobili-
zation there have boen called into con
ference army men, railway heads, navy
officials, heads Of the largest industrial
plants of the United States, the head
of 4ho NoIo T I,
and the leading fnanciers Of the coun-
try. These have mapped out in almost
complete detail the plans for mobiliza-
tion not only of men and munitions and
all things that are essential to bring
ing the defense Of the nation to the
highest point Of perfection.
| At the second meeting of the Council
! Of National Defense, held in Washing
ton a short time ago, there were pres
ent Secretaries Baker, Daniels, Rerfeld
and Wilson. At this meeting Brigadier
General William Khun, military attache
in Germany at the outbreak Of the war,
described at length the system by which
! Germany modified her men and mater
ials. The following are some Of the de-
/ tails Of this nation wide movement as
contemplated under the charge Of the
men selected to look after the complete
ordering of equipments and supplies in
the departments in which they are re-
cognized specialists, in cooperation
with the Government.
The committee on labor will be head
ed by Samuel Gompers, president Of the
American Federation Of Labor.
Matters Of transportation and com
munication will be in charge of Presi-
dent Willard of the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad.
Science and research, including engi-
neering and editorial problems, will be
handled by Commissioner Godfrey of
the Council Of National Defense.
Bernard Baruch will be in charge of
rounding up raw materials, minerals
and metals.
Howear E. Coffin of Detroit, presi
dent Of the Hudson Motor Co., will be
in charge of munitions, manufactures
and the work of standardizing indus
trial processes for war.
The rounding up Of supplies, includ
ing food and clothing, will be under the
direction Of julius Rosenwald Of Chi
cago.
Medicines and problems Of genera
sanitation will be handled by a com
mittee under Commissioner Martin OF
the Council Of National Defense.
That the nation s finances are effect
ivelv modified to meet any situation
is the opinion Of the Federal Reserve
Board The board reports that there
are at present on deposit with Fedora
Reserve agents in the various reserve
: districts approximately $300000,000 il
l cash, and the huge reserve Of 100000
!. 600 is available at Washington for us'
7 wherever it NAV be needed. AS a pre-
: cautionarv measure the board has re
g ouested the Bureau Of Engraving an(
: Printing to engrave large additiona
sum Of reserve notes, which will b'
) ready for use in ease occasion may re
e ouire It has been estimated that th'
: banks of, the country are at presen
| able to withstand financial strain in
s volving eight times the sum involved il
the panic Of 1907.