Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-02
Disposition to Keep Hands Off.

Thus far it is pointed out at the
Capitol. Congress has manifested
| marked disposition to keep hands off
the administration of executive details
in connection with the war. and even
refrained from voicing in debate criti-
cism uttered and heard in private
Win the war; Is the slogan which has
been used to drown all minor keys of
carping or criticism. To every appeal
for appropriations. too, Congress has
| responded promptly and in full
Congress also has been standing be-
hind the council of national defense to
notable degree, notwithstanding a
flood of complaints pouring in from
These have been in a measure subject
to certain percentage of discount on
the score of the natural disgruntlemen nj
lof disappointed contract seekers, but
have been filed away for future refer
ence.
Senators and representatives 1t is be-
lieved. were in the main highly graft
'ied over the agreement reached on
coal prices by the operators and the
committee Of the council The fact
that price fixing might contravene the
Sherman antitrust act was disregard
ed, as 1t was felt that price acceptable
to government agents would not be
construed as offending against the
spirit of the law.
There was consequent surprise at the
Capitol today over the upsetting Of that
agreement by the Secretary of War and
statesmen on the hill found themselves
existing between the council of national
defense and the executive departments
Inasmuch as bills now pending in Con-
gress propose investing the President
which means. Of course. his executive
aids-with still further powers and re-
sponsibilities. it was said today that
Congress will be interested in seeing a
better working plan between the de-
partments and the advisory committees,
or else may be compelled to take up the
question Of having a committee of its
own membership to keep in closer
touch with affairs.
Crux in Price-Cutting.
AS the situation is analyzed at the
Capitol, the crux Of the friction seems
to be whether the purchasing branch
of the government is to pursue policy
of cutting prices "to the bone" or al
lowing producers a liberal margin of
profit.
Differences of opinion are likely to
develop in Congress itself on this sub
ject. it is said. On one side will be a
demand that every producer must make
the maximum sacrifice of profit to help
the government. On the other the con-
tention is set up. and has supporters.
that the best policy in the long run will
be one of liberality with the producers
in that 1t will stimulate production
and encourage greater efforts on the
part Of everybody.
In the council of national defense the
dominant policy up to this time has been
to "get the material out" The men at the
head of the many branches of industry
covered by the advisory committees are
business men themselves. and, it is said.
will naturally be favorable to policy
which will enable the industries to make
at least a reasonable profit.
Senators and representatives realize
that the consuming public has a stake
in the game, however, and that the
prices accepted by the government will
probably be the minimum prices for the
consumers. But, at the same time, they
do not want the government to bring
about a situation which viii make the
producers take out of the public" the
margin necessary to their business of
which the government should Deprive
them.
There are thus several angles to the
situation. but the point is that Con-
gress is quite alive to all features and
from now on will keep close eye upon
developments.