The sun., 1918-07-10
SEEK TO COOPERATE
IN INDUSTRY PLANS
Members of Regional Commits
sion Of New York Zone
Hold Meeting.
EFFICIENCY TO AID WAR
General Distribution of Orders
Needed to Keep Ma
ton Busy.


the New York metropolitan zone appointed
recently by william Fellowes Morgan, at
the-request Of the War Industries Board.
met yesterday for the first time at the
Bankers Club and discussed plans for
organization in this district. which Is
considereaa as the most important indus
trial centre In the country.
Charles A. Otis, head Of the resources
and conversion section of the War In
dustries Board, who came from Cleve-
land for the meeting. outlined the duties
of the twenty-four members who form
the regional commission in the work they
will do to coordinate industry so that
highest efficiency will be available to
4, supply war demands
In explaining the plans OF the War
Industries Board and that body's ideas
for the coordination Of industry Mr.. Otis
said in part:
at appeared evident with the tre-
riendous distances in the country that
little personal or local touch was being
obtained in Washington with the indus
tries for the distribution of work In the
country, and that the erowing tendency
of the supply and purchasing agencies OF
the Government was naturally to use
the larger concerns and increase their
output.
More General Plan Urged.
'This in the beginning was the only
thing that could be done and up to a
point was the wise way. but as sections
of the country became crowded and
power limited 1t was most evident that
a more general distribution of orders
should be recommended to these supply
and purchasing departments. 1t Is evil
. dent that everything possible must be
done to keep the various centres of the
country employed so far as 1t is within
reason.
1T Is evident that there are many
localities in the country where industries
have been established for many years
and their workmen have been in the
same employment and own their own
homes. and under these conditions one
OF the most important duties Of the Sec
tion will be the effort to keep such con-
ditions intact so far as possible.
THE aim in general will be to have
q survey made of the regions not only
of plant capacity but personal organiza-
ton, which means more than the blue
print of the shop.
This can only be done by men In the
regions knowing each other and recon-
mending through the resources and
conversion section. to be transmitted to
the Governmental departments. the work
that their region Is capable Of doing
and recommending the distribution Of
orders and development of resources
to the greatest degree.
Let 1t be distinctly pointed out that
the volunteer organizations OF business
men in the regions are in no way con-
nected with the Government except as
bureaus Of information and recon-
mendat!on. Obviously. as they are the
sellers and the Government the buyer.
no other situation could exist.
Gathering of InfOrma ton.
when the regions are organized they
will recommend the names OF three or
four men who must give their time,
possibly all of it. representing the re-
sources and conversion section in their
regions as the commissioner Of this Sec
tion. To these men my section will look
for information gained from the bust
ness mems organizations.
THE ehdeavor OF the Washington end
will be to submit, as far as possible, the
requirements OF the supply and pur-
chasing agencies OF the Government to
the various sections. They will then
make recommendations Of what they
can do. such recommendations to be
submitted to the Government for the
closing of the contract.
There will be no purchasing by a
representative of the Government in a
region. All departments Of the Govern
ment will remain exactly the same
THE resources and conversion sec
ton is simply helpful agency to get in.
formation to the Government, obtain Il
from the Government and do every
thing consistent with good business to
keep the various regions OF the country
employed to the fullest extent and
eoualized in work.
ut Is obvious that as We progress the
Government will be to great extent
the only buyer. Many industries must
Immediately develop their organization
along the line of war requirements OF
be out of business. To save this verj
serious situation Is the work OF the re-
sources and conversion section, and 1t.
work is dependent upon the hearty sup
port Of every business man Of the coun
try"