Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-11-15
Many Federal Divisions
Become "Nonessentials'
Under Peace Era
SOME TO BE RETAINED
Government Departments Will
Assume Functions and Con-
tinue Operations
By a sta6 Correspondent

rous bureaus, divisions and commits
sions established in Washington since
war was declared to handle war emer-
Rencies--about dozen in all-are TAX
Ing stock to determine where they stand,
when they must go out Of existence and
how to go about winding up their affairs
when peace is declared
The existence of none of them is
affected by the signing of the arnistice,
although they may now modify some of
their activities, but all of them are TO
be abolished either with the issuance
of a presidential peace proclamation or
at a time dating from its issuance.
Steps looking toward the taking over
Of some of their functions by the reEu-
larly established Government depart
Inents forms a most important task right
ahead of tho Administration and Con
gress. Many of the tasks performed by
the war emergency bureaus will become
unnecessary with the final ratification Of
a treaty of peace, while other tasks
performed by the regular Federal de-
partments before the war, will be taken
over by them again.
Borah Urges Retrenchmcnt
In deplorinS the extravagant eXpendi-
lures during the war and urging re
trenchment in the future, Senator Borah
1tated IN the SENATE last MOHudS lndl
u had been almost impossible in the past
to abolish bureaus once established.
There will be a thousand reasons
given for the maintenance and extern
siCn of every bureau in existence, and
before another fortnight has passed
powerful propaganda will have begun in
this couutry to not only satisfy the
people that these institutions and Offi-
GERS are necessary, but that 1t is ad-
|--I- : L
Borah. "If the people really knew the
method and manner in which we have
expended money, and the waste of which
we are guilty, they would mob US"
The most prominent of these war
emergency bureaus are the. food admin
istration and fuel administration, the
activities of which affected every man.
woman and child in the country. The
act of Congress creating the fuel ad-
ministration provides that 1t shall go
out of existence Immediately upon the
signing of peace proclamation by the
President. Part of the legislation Great
ing the food administration. particularly
the Lever act, provides for it's dissou-
tion Immediately upon the proclama-
tion of peace. while other portions Of
the several laws relating to it seem
to permit of the continued operation
OF part of its functions.
Food Administrations Fate in Doubt
1t Is generally conceded that the fuel
administration will go out of existence
as such with the coming of peace, but
there is considerable discussion of hav-
= ing the Interior Department take over
some of its functions, especially those
Of encouraging increased fuel prOduc-
tion and conservation. Specific action
Z by Congress will be necessary before
the Interior or any other Federal depart
Inent could take over these duties from
the fuel administration. Already vio-
lent protests are reaching the Sena-
tors and Congressman, chiefly from
business men, against the continuance
of the life of the fuel administration.
1t has not been clearly determined
as yet what will become of the food
administration, and Congress will nc
doubt be asked by the President t
make provision either for permitting L
10 continue to perform some of its fuuc
tions for a certain period or transfer
ring those duties to some regular Fed
eral department.
The Department of Agriculture coul(
In the usual course of events advise
encourage and enforce measures to III
crease production and conservation o
food, duties now performed by the foot
administration.
Shipping Board to Continue
The shipping board is not a wa
emergency organization. 1t was or
ganized by act of Congress more tha
n year before war was declared, for tn
purpose of building and operatin
American merchant ships. 1t now ha
every American cargo ship of more tha
1000 tons under it's control, either b
ownership, lease or charter. Many {
these leases and charters will be car
celed shortly after the coming OF peac
but 1t is intended to continue the shiI
ping board in existence indefinitely.
The law appears to be not quite clea
as to the limitation of the existenC
OF the war industries board and tn
war trade board. Some of the legisls
tion authorizing their activities calls fc
their dissolution upon the proclamatiC
of peace. while other provision is mao
not limiting their activities to a certa
date.
The war industries board, with son
of its wartime duties now unnecessar
has undertaken to guide the nations Il
dustries through the readjustment fro
war to a peace basis.
The war trade board created by Il
President to carry out duties delegate
to him by Congress, will continue (
some time to exercise control over in
ports and exports. This will be nece
sary to provide the cargo space need
TO carry desired materials to Euro
and bring the American soldiers hon
It's functions will also be necessary
prevent foreign countries, especial
European nations, from making pu
chases and expectations from the Unit
states. which would dsplete our su
plies and TO prevent other countri
from flooding the United States wi
raw and manufactured articles III
might disturb domestic production.
Railroad AdministratioD's Future
The railroad administration has be
vested with authority to operate I
railroads Of the country until one ye
epd nine months after the war. 4
Question of whether direct Governme
ownership and operation shall succe
the railroad administration or whetf
they shall be given back to their ov
ers without any strings attached Is {
pected TO bring about bitted fight
Congress
The war risk insurance bureau is
continue in operation upon it's prest
nesis until four years after peace
made when the existing policies are
be conyerted into the usual life, twen
F4Sment life and endowment policies.
The committee on public informati