Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-13
T0P[ACE WAR PLANS
ON AM|CAB[E BASIS
Steps Taken to Reconcile Dit
ferences Between Congress
and Defense Council.
FRICTION PROVED MENACE

Plans are maturing to iron OUT the
seeming difficulties which have arisen
between the council of national defense
and Congress, allay the irritation IN the
legislative body and prevent what
threatened to be rapidly approaching
crisis in the governments war prepara-
tions.
That the situation was fast becom-
ing serious, threatening to hamper the
government in purchasing supplies IN
the future, is admitted. Criticism In
Congress of the system under "nlcn
the council is now operating caused re-
sentiment in the advisory committees
of the council, and there have been re-
ports of contemplated retirement OF
men from those boards. There will De
no resixnations, however, II the plahs
work out.
Explanation Satisfactory.
When the drafted advisory boards
found Congress did not charge thae any
wrongdoing had been committed. pu1
was only intent upon seeing that op-
portunity. under the system. shoulo not
be afforded for scandal, the boards TOOK
up at once and with willingness the
question of amending procedure Ior tne
future to meet all possible ob1ectlons.
The new plans contemplate creating
neutral boards. which will stand pc
tween the governmental purchasing
agents and the advisory con'mittees
that recommend the sources OF sup
plies The advisory committees OF ne.
tessity are composed of men afnliated
with the industries from which the
supplies are to be procured.
Congress. it is said. only demands tnat
the business men who form the ad-
mental in securing contracts for the
corporations with which they are In
any way connected. The council OF ma
tional defense fully concurs in TINS IN
sistence. and members OF the advlsoly
committees are equally desirous OF
meeting the obvious requirement.
New System Proposed.
The proposit;on now is to create one
or more groups of men. dealing with
different classificat1ons of supplies. who
have no direct or indirect pecuniary In
terest in the manufacture or source OF
those supplies. They will act as the
medium Of communication between the
men who have technical knowledge of
the conditions Of the trade and the con-
tracing officers Of the army and navy.
They will avail themselves OF the
aished by the men who know, and sug-
gest to the purchasers whore contracts
can be placed to the best advantage OF
the government.
Congress probably will insert pro-
vision in the food-control bill penal
izing the direct participation Of gov
ernmental advisers. paid or voluntary.
or of any officer Of the government In
the placing Of contracts in which they
both have a pecunary interest. and to
that there will be no objection by any
one in the council Of national defense
or the advisory committees 1t Is said
with authority.
Purpose in View.
The only thing to be guarded against.
1t is said, Is that the amendment shall
be SO worded as not to deprive the
knowledge Of the men who have been
drafted from the business and indus
try Of the country to help get the gov
ernment in touch with sources Of sup
plies. speedily. effectually and econom-
icaEy.
Some Of the proposed amendments. it
is said, would completely destroy the
advisory committees working with the
council and the several boards. 1t is
stated In high official quarters that
which should do that.
But no such outcome is expected. The
whole dih1culty has been largely
through misunderstanding Of the op-
erations of the committees and of ap-
prehension of scandals growing out of
opportunities. With better understand
ing of details Of operation complete
and absolute dissertation Of tho recon-
mending and the purchasing branches,
through the interposition Of neutral
boards. opportunity for abuses will be
destroyed, and 1t Is expected Congress
Will recognize and approve work being
done by the advisory committees.