New Britain herald., 1917-08-25
BOARD TO BUY ALL
ALLIES WAR GOODS
Baruch, L0Vett and Brookings
Comprise Supply Commission

Washington, Aug. 25.-Omcial an
nouncement was made last night that
an agreement had been reached be-
tween the governments of the United
States, Great Britain, France, and
Russia, by which all purchases in this
country for these allied governments
would be made by an American COM
mission composed of Bernard M.
Baruch, Robert S. Lovett and Robert
S. Brookings.
The announcement followed con-
ferences between the secretary of the
treasury, Lord Northcliffe special rep
resentative of Great Britain; Am bas-
sador Jusserand of France and Am
baSsadOr Makhmeteff Of Russia. me
agreement provides that hereafter all
purchases of supplies of every descrlp-
ton shall be made for account OF this
government and the allied govern
ments concerned.
1t is understood that Italy will as
sent to the agreement
The official announcement, issued by
Secretary McAdoo was as follows:
Formal agreements were signed
by the secretary of the treasury, with
the approval of the president, on be-
half of the United States, and by the
Representatives Oh Great BTlCd111,
France, and Russia for the creation
of commission with headquarters at
Washington, through which all pur-
chases made by those governments in
the United States shall proceed. It is
expected that similar agreements will
be signed with representatives OF other
allied government within the next few
days.
THE agreements name Bernard M.
Baruch, Robert S. Lovett, and Robert
S. BroOkings as the commission.
These gentlemen are also members Of
the recently created War Industries
board of the Council of National De-
Tense, and will thereby be able to
thoroughly coordinate the purchases
of the United States government with
the purchases of the allied powers.
1T is believed that these arrange
ments will result in more effective
use Of the combined resources of the
United States and foreign governments
in the prosecution of the war
Other Countries to Adopt Course.
AS rapidly as practicable other
countries engaged in the war against
the Central Powers will be brought
into the arrangement The purchas-
ing commission will have headquar-
tiers in Washington and will avail it
self of all the organized facilities al
ready in operation for the prosecution
of the war. The War Industries
board has had charge of enormous
buying projects In the short time it
has been In existence. Its members
are Intimately acquainted with every
phase of the many business conditions
involved in the supply of munitions
a nd
with the constant cooperation and
direction of President Wilson.
The action taken in forming the
purchasing commission to take charge
of the buying for all the Allies has
been rendered necessary because Of
the continual disadvantages in the
markets for various supplies resulting
from the competitive buying of the
many representatives Of the different
belligerent countries in the United
States.
One of the most distinct difficulties
occurring in this line became known
within the past ten days, when it was
found that France was buying cop
per In very large amounts in this
country at a price far in excess of
that likely to be paid by the United
states under existing agreements
with the copper syndicate. Similar
instances were also found in the mat
ter of buying wheat and meat sup
plies. In some case it was found that
agents of the allied countries had
combed the western markets for grain
months in advance of any efforts Of
American buyers and had large GUAM
titles of materials stored awaiting
favorable conditions Of shipment.
while prices went upward in conse-
quence of the steadily increasing
scarcity of certain staples
The commission will begin its work
at once. All programs for the pur-
chase of war supplies will be laid be-
fore it and will receive it's considera-
ton and be carried out under it's
direction.
In the conferences today it was de-
veloped that the monthly program of
advances Of money by this govern
ment to the Allies would be subject to
material increase in totals. The
Italian campaign will require a larger
credit, and other allowances will be
larger hereafter. The total Of $780,
100000 a month heretofore loaned
will be increased to 100000, 700. This
money will be for the greater part ex-
tended in this country in the purchase
of war supplies for the Allies and I'M
der the direction of the new Purchas-