The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-01-08

curing of options, the begging of prices of various articles the allot- ment of large requirements through out the industries, the elimination of ruddlenen, and the curbing of com petition between government depart ments, has enabled the government to make substantial saviags in its pur- chases of textiles. foodstuffs and leather
 ''The report of the Committee on Raw Materials, Minerals, and Metals states: Without authority to fix prices, the committee has succeeded in obtaining raw materlaIs au supsran- tial price reductions without trade disturbance of real consequence Without the legal power to determine priority, it has been largely instru- mental in many cases in diverting out put in such manner as to secure the greatest general benefit. Without any power save that of persuasion, it has brought specialized private business efficiency ino immediate and effective cooperation with a well ordered fed eral system!'
 In stimulating the work of the Committee on Coal Production, the report says:
 During the week ending January 6, 1917, the average daily production of bituminous coal was 1,S40, 900 net tons, of anthracite coal 22S,49O gross tons; during the week ending April 2, 1917, the time of the creation of the Committee on Coal Production, the average daily production of bitu- minous coal had decreased to 1,682,- 900 tons; of anthracite to 223,680 gross tons. From the latter date, pro- duction progressively increased until early in July bituminous coal was be- ing produced at the rate of 1,902,864 tons per day, and anthracite at the rate of 281,960 gross tons per day the greatest output in the entire his tory of the coal industry, an output if maintained, sufficient to supply, not only the entire coal requirements of this country but also would have created 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-es- sential activities. The boards work covered returns of unsold bread tc bakeries, waste in deliveries, woo conservation, and other fields.
 The report of the Committee or Transportation outlines the history of the directing organization for wal purposes built up by the Railroad War Board upon the special invita-. ton of the Council of National De fense. The ton mileage during April May and June was 15,500,0 ,000 tor miles, which as IS per cent. more than in the previous year.
 To economize in traffic facilities passenger trains making over 24,e0O,' O00,000 miles per year in the aggre' gate had already been discontinued at the recommendation of the execu tive committee. This, the report esti mates, will result in the saving 0! 100000 tonst of coal per year, ant has released 5000 men and a consid erable number of engineers for othel and more important service.
 The committee on labor's repor tells of the conference of organized labor representatives at which the! stated their unqualified allegiance rt the Republic in any situation.
 Later a resolution was adopted b! the committee, approved by the Coun cil, declaring there should be no de parture from present standards il state laws or state rulings affecting labor, without a declaration by the Council that it is essential for nation al defense.
 In describing work of special com mittees, special mention is made O. ; that on wages and hours, which as , sisted in incorporating in governmen contracts the standards for wages ant hours already established by fedora Legislation.
 The report says that of 4oS persons working continuously for the Counci only 168 were paid, the greater par , being clerks and stenographers, no counting aovery large number of per sons giving part of their time in ant | ont of Washington.