New-York tribune., 1918-01-15
Emergency Organization,
Headed by Vance McCor-
mick, Under Criticism
It Failed to Get
Ships for Allies
Inability to Complete Deal
With Japan on Steel
Also Recalled
lSfof CorrcSDondcuce1.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14.-Thc War
Trade Board Will be the next govern
ment organization to fall under Con-
gressional investigation, if widespread
and vigorous criticism of Vance Nc
Cornlick's organization finds its way
into the predicted action.
Members of Congress who would in
yestigate the War Trade Board may be
divided into two groups-those who
contend that the Mccormick board has
failed to accomplish its chief OBJ
jectives and those who maintain that
Congress and the public are being kept
completely in the dark by the board
on war moves on the most farreaching
Importance 10 the economic future of
the United States.
The War Trade Board commenced
last August work on two major objec-
ives:
/. 1t proposed TO secure ironclad
assurances that European and other
neu.rais would withhold all material
aid to the Central Powers.
>. 1t proposed to acquire for the
use of the United States and the
Allies 100000 tons of neutral ship
ping detAired sine. last July IN
American harbors
Success Conjectural
While it IS admitted that the War
Trade Board has secured some reduc-
tion in the arount of supplies to Ger
many via Il { neutrals, no binding as
surances have yet been negotiated, it
is alleged. Regarding the acquisition
of neutral Ships, generally considered
the most important of the two object
ives, the Mccormick organization has
thus far failed though from time to
tine ever a reriod of three months the
public has been informed unofficially
that the negc tlations were practically
completed
Another failure laid at the door of
the Trade Board is the unsuccessful ne
gotiation with the Japanese government
for approximately 900 tons Of ship
ping to be exchanged for ship plates
The negotiations reached a staemate
it is asserted. after Mr.. Mccormick 5
organization tried to secure the Japa-
nese vessels at about one-half the mar
With the shipping problem more
critical each week, members of Con-
gress are becoming impatient with the
Trade Boards tactics which permit a
half million tons of neutral steel ship
ping to lie idle in our harbors The
same criticism is directed at the fail
ure to bring negotiations with the
japanese TO successful conclusion.
Advantage Now Lost
Between October and December the
Trade Board had most excellent lever
with which TO negotiate with the neu-
trails IN the critical food conditions in
these countries. it is stated. This has
been lost now, it is competently assert
ed, BY offers on the part of Germany to
the neutrals to supply wheat in ex-
ohange tor other commodities and in
consideration of further delay in per-
mlttns the United States to acquire
their tonnage
While most Of the criticism is of a
non-partlsan character. in that mem
pers OF Congress of both parties par
tlclpate in it, Vance Mccormick $
cnarmanshp of the Trade Board. with
us great powers over economic policies
mas inspired a good deal of politica!
concern in the Republican camp This
mas been considerably aggravated BY
she war Trade Boards order within
me last week lifting all restrictions
on 'he expectation of cotton from the
United States. This move is viewed
aS essentially political. and at the be
nest OF the Southern Democracy. How
ever. aside from its political aspects
members Of Congress fear a rccur-
renee Of the cotton leaks to Germany
Mr. Mccormick j. practical car Of
rls organization. Other members, it
mas been known for weeks. were out of
sympathy with the succeeding delays
~ securing action. Their protesta
'ions, however have. been Of no avail
'nlehy because they could not reach
'ne pubic ear On account OF the ab-
solute censorship invoked over all Wa,
irade Board affairs. With this censor
snip iIited through Congressional
PROBE, 1t is predicted. some impetus
could be given to the now eisurelv at
'Nude OF the chairman of the Demo.
cratic National Committee toward wa,
ooJectlves Of major Importance.