Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-01-16
DEFENCE COUNCIL
Has Saved Tax Payers
Millions Says Director
Clifford at War Probe


Of National Defence and its commit
tees. Director Clifford told the Senate
war inquiry committee today, had fill
ed a breach in the governments war
machinery at a critical juncture and
had saved the tax payers millions of
dollars
Through voluntary agreements in
price fixing he said. the nation hao
been saved mode than three billion
dollars on steel. Other savings, run
ming into the millions We're cited on
copper, lead. lumber and raw materials.
Twenty million dollars alone was
saved, he said, by changing plans for
the army cantonment buildings from
one to two stories.
Mr.. Clifford said he advised Secre-
tary Baker regarding the general war
reorganization plans submitted by the
latter.
The plan" he said "accords with
my Recommendations. except that I
desired a single individual instead of
q board to control war industries and
that l favor q single responsible au-
thorty, through legislation by Con-
gress.
Before examining Mr.. Clifford. Chair
man Chamberlain read q letter fror,
Daniel Willard. chairman of the War
Industries heard. saying it appeared
/ that he had given the impression yes
tcrdaN that he recommended abolish
ing the Council of National Defense
Such in impression. MI Willard
wrote. was incorrect. He meant that
tiIh SlInolN- of
some of the advisory committees Of
the council should he discontinued
In endeavoring to mobilize industry, d.
rector Clifford testified that prevention Of
waste was one of the first efforts.
We even went so far he said. "as u
change the Paris styles OF womens dress
to save cloth BY taking it up with French
Ambassador Jusserand, and arranged to
reduce cloth consumption next year about
50 1-3 per cent
The councils committees, he declared
had eliminated much duplication of work
and crossing of wires" and also increas-
ed industrial production
what is there lacking in rreparine this
whole program Of war;" asked Chairman
Chamberlain.
It's the lack of one policy. one program
ana one executive authority for dealing
with Industries that are noe able without
enormous expansion to meet the needs of
the war.
When asked if he saw any defect in tho
plans of Secretary Baker for reorganiza-
tIon OF war work. Mr.. Clifford said he
agreed with Mr. Willard that the war in
dustries board. the paramount authority
proposed, was 4 voluntary organization
and lacked legal authority
I would suggest" he said, that the
President have power to appoint head
OF war Industries. ! would prefer a single
individual
The scheme may work think and
hope it will. It's worth trying. But
when we find il won't work it should
De transferred to the war industries
board, whose organization could be
built UP gradually as needs develop."
The system Of voluntary civilian adj
vice or all to the government "shouId
not be cut out with a meat axe" Mr.
Clifford said, but in purchasing gov
eminent supplies the trend now is to-
ward salaried and representative su-,
pCrViSion.
He denied that confusion resulted
from the q eat number of civilian COM
mlttees now in existence.
Through the voluntary system of CO.
operation III fixing steel prices, for in
stance, he declared that S3,112,OOO had
been saved to the country. On copper.
ne said 100000 had been saved on
government purchases alone.