The Washington times., 1918-01-10
Always Green Men.

free from the burdens OF detail ad-
mInistration, can take q large super.
visory view of all questions OF or
ganization and supply. and give to the
Government the highest value Of
their talents and experience.
80. Under General Wheeler. with
the advice OF his military associates
and of Industrial experts. the machin-
cry OF the ordnance department IL be-
ing thoroughly reorganized in prepa-
ration for the new phase OF its work
| upon which II Is now entering. It's
several operations will be conducted
under the direction either OF officers
already In the service who are now
In a position to give their entire ener-
gies to their administration, or by
men especially chosen from civil life
because OF their experience and ca
pacIty.
- The quartermaster generals de-
partment Is In process OF similar re-
organization and notwithstanding I'M
der General Cocktails, who enjoys the
unique experience OF having worked
out at the Panama canal problems of
transportation and supply OF a mag
nttude never until now approached In
the history of our Government. Here
also the efficiency Of the department
IL being strengthened by the calling
from civil life OF men Of the highest
capacity to administrate certain of
its great subdivisions.
New View Possible.
"A new view OF the work of the
Council OF National Defense and OF
the war industries board is now pos
sibIe.
THE Council Of National Defense
Is. OF course, an advisory body with
out executive power. Its members
have severally the powers OF their re-
spective departments. The purpose
OF the council. however, was a rec
onciliation OF conflicts and a survey
OF the national needs and resources.
This purpose it has served, and Is
serving. The general munitions
board and its successor. the war In
dustries board. with their committees.
were organized by the council for the
following purposes:
81. Assign priorities as among the
several departments OF the Govern
ment and the allied governments in
their demands upon the industries OF
the country.
80. Advise as to supplies OF ma
terials and labor.
j. Advise on questions Of price.
Il Secure Industrial and labor Co
operation.
%. Avoid enhancement Of prices,
OF industry, exhaustion Of
labor, and generally to prevent all
aVoidable evils which might result
from the speed and magnitude OF the
new operations.
ITO these objects it was admirably
adapted, and II has accomplished a
great work. Two things which have
not happened are as impressive as the
things which have happened when one
recalls the possibilities involved.
I'VE can now see the entire situa-
stantially supplied. The technical
corps have been expanded and reor-
ganized upon Industrial and efficient
lines.
The coordination of ally needs |
with our own purchases has been ef. |
fected. An agency exists TO prevent
and to adjust those which |
cannot be prevented.
Nation Organized.
by the cooperation OF all inter.
ssts and all people in the country the
nation Is now organized and set to
Is task with unanimity of spirit and /
in its powers. More has
been done than anybody dared to be
ieve possible. That there have been /
lere and there errors OF judgment and
ielays goes without saying: but
'hould be wanting in frankness were
to omit my own estimate OF the
cal unselfishness and intelligence
With which my associates. military
md civilian. have applied themselves
o this undertaking, and the results
demonstrate the success OF their ef-
orts."