The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1918-11-15
President Wilson Said to Favor
Congress Reconstruction
Committee.
APPREHENSION is EVIDENT
How to Shut OFF War PrOduc-
ton Without Resulting Idle
ness is Problem Foremost at
This Time.

Washington, Nov. 14.-President
Wilson has under consideration the
appointment of reconstruction
commission to develop compre-
hensive program for the nations
conversion from war to a peace
basis. The commission would be ad-
visory rather than executive in func-
tions and the plans developed and
co-ordinated by it would be carried
out by existing government depart
ments and agencies
AS now considered the commits
sion would be representative OF COM
mercial, industrial. labor, agricul
tural and social interests; it's mem
bership would be small and it would
deal with all phases of the great
problem of easing the country from
war to peace.
The President is understood to he
distinctly opposed to the suggested
plan of having a congressional com
mittee prepare a reconstructive pro-
gram. He is said to prefer men who
have made special studies of eco
nomic and social problems. The
President is said now to be consider
ing what emergency legislation may
be necessary before the government
can proceed Systematically to turn all
resources of the country to peace
time production
Most Immediate Problem.
How to shut off further war pro-
duction without closing plants
tfSowing men out Of work and caus-
.ng financial strain is the most i'm
mediate reconstruction problem fac
ing the government.
Government authorities havin !,
charge of placing of war contracts
are considering plan for diverting
raw materials from war industries
as fast as these curtail their activi-
ties to other Industries where they
can be used at once for reconstruc-
tion needs War orders will not he
Cancelled in wholesale way until
such a plan is developed, 1t is be-
lieved.
In this connection, the chamber of
commerce of the United States made
public letter to President Wilson
citing evidence of anxiety among
business men over the governments
future course. suggesting develop
ment OF uniform policies for all de-
partments.
apprehension and Disturbance.
LAS you are doubtless aware" the
letter said, "the cancellation of con-
tracts by some government agencies
during the last 10 days has caused
great deal of apprehension and dis
turbance, the extent of which, for
tunately, has not attracted publ
attention because the war news has
so greatly OvershadOwed it,
ut seems to us that it is possible
to work out certain common princ
pies which should obtain in all gov
ernment departments in affecting
settlements on contracts now to be
SlOppeu anu adjusting tnem on I
fair basis. If one bureau. or depart
ment, follows its own ideas. another
pursues a different course, II seems
that it will lead to endless contro-
versy and confusion.
Pending the development of an
adequate organization. we earnestly
hope that a clearance committee
may be appointed at once to which
will be referred all proposals to can
eel contracts"
The chamber OF commerce also
has recommended TO the President
the establishment OF an advisory re-
construction commission similar TO
that he now considers appointing
Whatever machinery is created for
supervising the transition, il is con
sidered certain that the governmen
proposes to maintain centralized
control, and to exercise very pos.
tive supervision over business in
terests during the change.
-------------