Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-06-19

w about the council national defense in these
W parlous times than of any other governmental
1t has eclipsed its in the
public eye. and its commends conspicuous
attention than that of of the executive depart
The president alone overshadows the council
of national defense and it's creatures notably the
advisory commission. The council and the advisory
commission figure practically -every debate in
gress. They alternately objects of and
commendation-harsh criticism and high praise.
The council of national defense comparatively
new thing in the body polite, and the advisory COM
mission is even newer. The council created by
amendment to the army appropriation bill for the
fiscal beginning July l. 1916. Six cabinet officers
constitute the council follows:
Secretary of War Newton D. Baker, chairman.
Secretary of Navy Josephus Daniels.
Secretary of Interior Franklin K. Lane
Secretary of Agriculture Davis F. Houston.
Secretary of Commerce William c. Redfeld.
Secretary of Labor William B. Wilson.
The act creating the council contained a provision
authorizing the president the nomination of its
members, to appoint advisory commission, consist
ing of not more than seven persons, each of whom
shall have special knowledge of industry, public
utility the development of natural resource
or to be otherwise specially qualified in the
opinion of the council, for the performance Of the
On the recommendation of the cabinet officers
posing the council President Wilson appointed the
following members of the advisory commission:
Daniel Willard. of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
chairman in charge Of transportation and communca
tions.
Howard E. Coffin the Detroit automobile manufac-
turer, in charge of munitions and manufacturing. in
| Guiding Standardization and industrial relations
Julius Rosenwad, in charge of supplies, including
clothing, shoes,
Dr. Hollis Godfrey, in charge of engineering and
education.
Samuel Gonpers in charge of labor including con-
servation of health and welfare of workers.
DR.. Franklin Martin, charge medicine and
| surgery, including general sanitation.
Walter S. Clifford, director of council advisory
commission.
Grosvenor B. Clarkson. secretary of council and
advisory commission
The council of national defense has a number of
subordinate committees.
board the committee coal production, the committee
shipping, etc. composed of skilled
various industries.
The advisory commission. also. has a number of
subordinate committees, many, in fact that it is
doubtful If member of either the council
commission could eDumerate them without the prompt
ing of printed book Certainly the number of persons
connected either with the council the commission
through of their subordinate branches
thousand. and the thing is growing numerically by
leaps and bounds spreading out all Washington.
The purposes which the council of national
defense and the advisory commission by
congress are set forth clearly in the military bill.
follows:
That 1t shall be the duty of the council of
national defense to supervise and direct nvestga-
tons and make recommendations president
location of railroads with reference to frontier
of the United States render possible expe-
ditious concentration of troops and supplies to
points of defense; the coordination of military
industrial, and commercial purposes the location
of extensive highways and branch lines of rail-
road; the utilization of Waterways the mobiliza-
ton of military and resources To- defense:
the increase of domestic production of articles
and materials essential the support of armies
and of the people during the interruption of for
eign commerce; the development seagoing
transportation; data as to amounts location.
| method and means of production, and availability
of military supplies the giving of information to
producers and manufacturers the o
supplies needed by the military and other services
of the government, the requirements relating
thereto, and the creation of relations which will
render possible in time need the immediate
concentration and utilization of resources of
the nation.
THAT of national defense shall
work. which rules and regulations shall be subject
to the approval of the president shall provide
for the work of the advisory commission to the
end that the special knowledge of such
may be developed by suitable investigation,
research and inquiry and available in con-
ference and report for the council; and
the council may organize subordinate bodies for
its assistance in special Investigations either by
the employment of experts or by the creation of
committees of specially qualified persons to serve
without compensation, but direct the investiga-
tions of experts employed
Senator Hoke Smith, discussing railroad priority
bill day. reflected the views of considerable
number of senators and congressman concerning the
advisory commission when he said I'VE passed little