The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-16
CENTRALIZED
CONTROL FOR
WAR SUPPLIES
(By Associated Press.l

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Of centralized control for war sup
plies was given in statement made
public by the war committee Of the
United States chamber Of commerce
today, but none of the proposals now
before congress, including one-man
responsibility, was specifically sup
ported.
The committee, headed by Waddill
Catchings, of New York, was ready
to appear before the senate war in
quiry with the results of it's investi-
cation into the production and pur-
chase of war supplies, which, accord
ing to the statement, was begun last
June in an effort to cooperate with
the national council of defense.
The statement points out that the
newest plans of the government are
tending to decentralize war efforts. -
The statement urged with the
strongest emphasis the creation of
an adequate central control"
THE failure to be guided by the
fundamental principle that centraliz-
ed responsibility and control is need
ed for the success of any enterprise"
continued the statement, will bring
about unintentional interference
with vitality important programs
such as that in connection with ship
ping. There will be production far
beyond our capacity of ocean trans
portation. Our allies will be depriv-
ed Of supplies which we would desire
to give them. Effort will be eXpend-
ed in the creation Of unneeded new
facilities. Collateral problems, such
as the housing Of employees will be
neglected until they seriously inter
fere with other programs. The dis
%v~fhnV%fzv, - SoI fnrafnIr g1Nnh
as coal, will not be where most need
ed in connection with the war. Vast
quantities of material and labor will
be used in unnecessary activities. and
in general there will be the atmos-
phere of confusion which comes from
inability to secure prompt decision"
Disagree With Baker.
The committees statement pro-
tests against the governments recent
plan of making the war industries
board co-ordinating body and dis
agrees with Secretary Baker that the
reorganization Of the war depart
ment takes the place of a depart
ment OF munitions or a board OF GEN.
trail control. A small board or coun-
Gil is viewed by the committeeman
as the most feasible plan.
'Tf a department of munitions. war
industries administrator or war sup
ply board. with full control over and
for the procurement of
munitions and supplies is now es-
tablished. it is still necessary to
provide more complete coordination
of the various new administrations
and agencies OF the government
whose separate activities affect the
conduct Of the war program
as a whole.
1--WE believe that there should be
created some small board or council
with no other duty than to have
constant supervision over and gen.
sral direction OF the work of these
Our view. is that
such a small council should sit con-
tnuously, devOting itself to con-
gtructive planning and settling con-
1icts which may arise from time To
time between these administrations
adm boards and adjusting the activi- |
les of one agency to another as the |
war needs Of the country may re-
Iuire."
A large part Of the statement is
devoted to the work of the commit |
zee through which information was
gained upon which the report is |
BASED. In this connection the state
nent says:
'It soon became evident that not
the intimate relation
hip established your committee was
Unable to secure information regard
ng the governments program and
for the obvious reason
hat there was no centralized power
rom which such comprehensive in
ormation could be obtained. In fact,
here was no central authority en-
ragged in securing such information
II in formulating general plans to
meet the rapidly developing indus
rial problems OF the war"