The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-01-16
CENTRAL CONTROL
OF WAR WORK
United States Chamber of
Commerce Votes Half Mil
Lion Strong for Such
Method.
TOO MUCH RED TAPE
Better Results Promised and Quicker
Decisions Made by
Cutting Down
Numbers.
TOO MUCH RED TAPE

limited Press Leased Wire Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16.-The Unit
ed States chamber of commerce by a
vote Of its 100000 membership today
demanded creation of a central con-
troll in the war government.
Interference with vitally important
programs, production, initiation, In
ability to meet allied demands, dupli.
cation of work, confusion; In fact
'1nevitable disaster" will result, the
chamber announced today unless
prompt provision is made to central
ize the control OF the industrial en-
ergy and material resources Of the
country"
The declaration of the chamber
based on months Of investigation by
q special war committee of prominent
businessmen and manufacturers, was
unanimously approved by the direc-
tors in session here today.
1t comes at time when the senate
military investigators have temporar
lily discontinued their hearings. to be
gin fight for passage Of legislation
creating a director of munitions who
would cut the red tape, delay and con
fuson of army preparation.
Willard of the war industries board
other members of the board and
Chairman Clifford of the council Of ma
tional defense, who already have
thrown their advice upon the side OF
immediate centralization Of authority
to act in war preparation. The bust
ness men in their report today de-
clared that the newest plans an
nounced by the government are tend.
ing to "decentralize war efforts The
report then warns:
"The committee belivees that the
failure to be guided by the funda-
mental principle that centralized re-
sponsibility is necessary for the sue
cess of any enterprise, will reult In
evitably in i'll balanced effort. There
will be unintentional interference with
v1tally important programs such as
that in connection with shipping;
there will be production far beyond
our capacity for ocean transportation !:
our allies will be deprived of the
supplies which we would desire to
give them; effort will be expended in
the creation of unneeded new facili-
ties; collateral problems, such as the
housing Of employees will be neglected
until they seriously interfere with 9TH
er programs; the distribution of es-
sential materials Wilt not be where
most needed in connection with war:
vast quantities of labor and material
will be used in unnecessary activities
and in general there will be an atmos-
phere of confusion which comes from
inability to secure a prompt decision" 4"
Willard Has Resigned.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 16.-Chairman
Daniel Willard of the war industries
board has resigned his post Presi-
dent Wilson will accept the resigna-
ton, it was officially announced today.
While the reason officially given for
Willard's resignation is that his presi-
dency OF the B. and O. railroad de-
mands his entire attention during the
present railway transforma under
government control. his friends declare
Willard was discouraged with the man.
ner in which war work was being con-
Quoted. He requested his release as