South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06
Defense Council
Saved for Nation

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government 20 make substantial
savings in its purchases of textiles
foodstuffs and leather.
The report OF the committee on
raw materials, minerals and metals
states: Without authority 10 fix
prices, the committee has succeeded
in obtaining raw materials at sub
stantial price reductions without
trade disturbance of real conse-
quence. Without the legal power
TO determine priority, it has been
largely instrumental in many cases
in diverting output in such man
ner as to secure the greatest gen
eral benefit. Without any power
save that of persuasion. it has
brought specialized private business
efficiency into immediate and enec-
tive cooperation with a well order
ed federal SYSTEM"
Increased Coal Production.
IN stimulating the work of the
committee on coal production, the
report says:
During the week ending Jan. s..
1917. the average daily production
Of bituminous coal was 100000 net
tons, of anthracite coal 22S,49O
gross tons; during the week ending
April y. 1917. the time Of the crea-
ton of the committee on coal pro-
ductiOn. The average daily prOduc-
ton of bituminous coal had de-
creased to 1.6S2.O0O tons; OF an
thracite 10 223,6SO gross tons. From
the latter date, production progress
sively increased until early in July
bituminous coal was being produced
at the rate of 1.9O2,S64 tons per
day, and anthracite at the rate Of
2S1,960 gross tons per day, the
greatest output i'm the entire his
tory of the coal industry. an output.
IL maintained, sufficient 10 supply.
not only the entire coal require
ments of this country. but also
would have created a large surplus
to relieve the coal shortage of the
allied nations"
The commercial economy board
has studied and advised how com
mercial business might reduce non
essential activities. The board :
work covered returns Of unsold
bread to bakeries, waste i'm deliver
les, wool conservation. and other
fields.
The report of the committee on
transportation outlines the history
Of the directing organization for
war purposes built up by the rail
road war board upon the special
invitation of the council of national
defense. The ton mileage during
April. May and June was $500
100000 ton miles. which was Is
percent more than in the pervious
year.
To economic in traffic facilities
passenger trains making over "a
100000 miles per year in the ag-
gregate had already been discOn-
tinued at the recommendation of
the executive committee This. the
report estimates. will result in the
saving of 100000 tons of coal per
year, and has released 5000 men
and a considerable number of en-
gineers for other and more i'm
pOrtant service.
The committee on labor'S report
tells of the conference of organized
labor representative at which they
stated their unqualified allegiance
to the republic in any situation
Later a resolution was adopted
by the committee, approved by the
council declaring there should be
no departure from present standards
in state laws or state rulings affect
ing labor, without a. declaration by
the council that il is essentiTl for
national defense.
In describing work of special
committee, special mention is made
of that on wages and hours, which
assisted in Incorporating in gov
eminent contracts the standards for
wages and hours already establish
ed by federal legislation.
The report says that of 40S per
sons working continuously for the
council, only 1GS were paid the
greater part being clerks and stem
ographers. not counting very large
number of persons giving part OF
their time in and out of Washing
ton.