Evening star., 1918-12-04
INDUSTRIES BOARD
WILL CEASE JAN. |
Chairman Baruch SO States:
Tells of Acceptance of His
Resignation.
"sIMPLY A WAR BODY"

Having served the purpose for which
it was created, the War Industries
Board will go out Of existence January
/. This was definitely stated by Chair
man Bernard NJ Baruch this morning
after making public his letter Of resig-
nation and President Wilson's reply
accepting it.
Mr.. Baruch, in his letter of resigna-
ton. reminded the President that the
tain materials for carrying out the
military program of the United States
and the allies with "as little disloca
ton of industry as possible" But
with the signing Of the armistice and
the cancellation of contracts there
was no longer a shortage Of ma
terials, he said.
Will Transfer Activities.
Activities Of the board which may
be regarded as governmental func-
tions will be transferred to other de-
partments. This was suggested to
President Wilson by Mr.. Baruch, and
the President said he was in cordial
agreement with the proposal. The
Department of Commerce will take
charge Of some of the matters which
were controlled by the War Indus
tries Board.
'The War Industries Board is SIM
ply war-making body and when
there is no war there is no occasion
for such a body" Mr.. Baruch said to
newspaper men today.
In his letter of resignation Mr.
Baruch said:
Letter Of Resignation.
MY Dear Mr.. President:
1.-The main function of the War In
dustries Board was to obtain the ma
terials required for carrying out the
military program Of the United States
and the allies. with as little disloca-
ton Of industry as possible. To do
this, 1t was necessary in some in
stances to restrict non-war produc-
tion, and to fix maximum prices.
With the signing Of the armistice,
and the consequent cancellation OF
contracts. there was no longer a
shortage of materials. and the War
industries Board Immediately re-
moved it's curtaflInente. In like man
ner, the necessity for maximum prices
is disappearing, except in few fso.
lated cases which can best be regu-
lated through the War Trade Board.
The facilities of the War Industries
Board have been put at the disposal
of the various contracting agencies
Of the government, such as the War
and Navy departments and the Ship
ping Board, to aid them whenever
they so desire in their consideration
of the cancellation Of their contracts
This particular function soon will
have been completed.
tries Board which have lasting value
are being transferred to permanent
departments of the government, where
they may be carried forward. Thus.
the Department of the Interior, burea'
ef mines, IN which you have vested
authority to enforce the war minerals
act has already assumed control over
many of the former activities of this
board; the conservation program is
about to be undertaken by the De-
partment of Commerce. and the CEN
trail bureau of planning and statistics
will become a bureau to serve all
departments of the government.
IT venture to suggest that the varf-
Gus commodity heads of the War In
dustries Board, and those who have
been associated with them. may, in
the years that are to come. render
much valuable assistance as trade
advisers to the DEPARTMENT Of Com
hope that in this. and in other ways
it may be found possible to continue
the promotion of a better understand
ing between the government and in
dustry (including in this term en-
ployers and employees alike, so that
problems affecting all may in times
of peace be approached in the same
snirit of helpful cooperation that has
prevailed during the period of the
war.
Il feel sure that the business men
who have been acting as commodity
heads will, If requested, be willing to
remain here, or be subject to call. II
thew can be of service to the depart
ments or other governmental agen-
cies as points of contact between
them and industry.
aThere being no longer necessity
for the continuance of the War Indus
tries Board, which was only a war
to avoid the incurring or expense FOR
a moment longer than necessary. I
am writing to suggest that the United
states War Industries Board be dis
continued as of January 1. 1919. and !
am now placing my resignation as
action YOU may desire. Between now
and then the industries still under
regulations will be called into con-
ference, so as to obtain their views
and their help as to the best methods
Of smoothly adjusting the business
life to the changed condltlons.
II cannot close without expressing
to you my sincere appreciation and
that of my associates for the opportu-
nity YOU have given US to work with
Won in the great task that was set be-
fore YOU, and which has been brought
to such a successful termination. AS
a matter of duty and pride I should
like again to call your attention to
the valuable services performed by my
associates and by the war service
committees of the various industries
which co-operated with them. To
their untiring efforts and unselfish de-
yotion were largely due whatever re-
heen able to attain. Each and every
one worked in a spirit that made great
nersonal sacrifices seem a privilege
and not a burden. In order that a per-
manert record may be made of theil
mnseIfish service I shall ask the privf.
lege of forWarolnE 70 you Hst Oh ths
members of the board, of those asso.
ciared with them. including regional
ADVISERS, war service committees and
| state councils of national defense.
sho1tld like also to bear witness to the
| heinful cooperation which the Wal
industries Board at all times received
from all departments and agencies OF
the government
"All our efforts, however. woule
hove fallen short had not the entirt
| country RESPONDED in Q whole-hearte(