The Washington herald., 1918-11-17
WILSON HAS NO
FEAR OF PEACE
ADJUSTMENTS
Believes Present War Agen-
cies Can Carry Nation
Through Crisis.
PLANS WELL In HAND
Special Commission Would
Interfere With Work of
Existing Bodies.

President Wilson will personally
guide the nation in the solution of
the many delicate problems that the
reconstruction era will bring, lust
as he directed its affairs while the
great war was in progress.
He has no intention. it was learn
ed authoritatively yesterday, of
forming a distinctive reconstruction
commission. He believes, on the
contrary, that the various govern
ment agencies, as they now exist,
together with the war activities
which do not Immediately cease
upon the signing of the peace
treaty. and others whose activities
may be prolonged either by execu-
tive order or legislation, are sufi-
cient in themselves to enable the
country to return to normal con-
ditions.
By allowing these Various depart
ments to function in a normal man.
ner the President believes the
transitory period from war to peace
will likewise find She country nor
NAL If a reconstruction commits
sion were named, il is said. its ac-
tivities might overlap into govern
ment departments of long standing
and therefore precipitate the dis
cord which it is the intention Of the
Administration to avoid at this par
ticular time.
Can Avoid Pitfalls.
With proper direction and malhte-
nance of the high point of efficiency
which the war has exaCted from each
department, the President is of the
opinion. 1t $ said. that the recon-
struction period will find the govern
ment in a fortified position, and
therefore able to avoid the pitfalls
and bugaboos OF reconstruction, of
which luguhrious persons are al
ready beginning to picture dire con-
sequences.
If the President puts into effect the
views he now holds. future Cabinet
meetings will probably be "two-in-
one affairs, as the regular Cabinets
attendance will be amplified by mem
bers of the war cabinet. In this
manner the officials who booked after
the country's needs ~ @time of peace
will be able to COUNSEL and assist the
men who were called upon by the
President to help him in the mighty
war activities, and the happy me-
construction days is expected to be
the result.
The War Department, in conjunc-
tion with the Shipping Board. the
Navy and the Food Administration.
is arranging for the return of the
soldiers from Europe. while the De-
partment of the Interior. together
with the Departments of Labor and
Agriculture. is planning to have en-
ployment for them on their return.
To Resume Railway Building.
This is one specific example, but
there are many others. Director
General of Railroads McAdoo is ar
ranging not only for great improve
ments in the nations transportation
system, but also for extensive work
on our inland waterways. All rail
road construction, which gave way
before more imperative war work.
will shortly be resumed on a large
scale, and it will give employment to
thousands OF war workers.
Government operation of railroads
continues for period of eighteen
months after the war, while the ship
ping program will continue for five
years. Those two activities will do
much, 1t is believed, simply through
their strength and magnitude, to re-
establish other industries throughout
the nation.
Present conditions in the world gen.
orally will make it necessary to
continue the Food Administration for
some time after the end of the war
with a consequent stabilizing of agTi-
culture, while the President, should
the need arise will, with the assist
ance of Congress. continue the War
Industries Board-the mentor of big
business-in operation for a period
after the signing of the peace treaty