South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-07-25
Other Editors Than Ours
LOOKING FORWARD TO BIG PROBLEMS.
New York WOrld)

(New York Word)
America Is to be prepared scientifically the
after-war problems whether they confront the
try within year twenty years. Pres't Wilson has
started survey which will give the nation the basis
ior such preparedness
Active direction and correlation this has
been undertaken by the defense and
the advisory commission. Walter $. Clifford, director
bodies Grosvenor b. GARRISON their
tary have preminsries and the organiza-
lions already under way.
Ultimately every important economic and industrial
authority will BE drawn into the work. II any plans
developed in the of the investigation fit into
the program they will lie turned to that for
the vigorous prosecution of the is part of every
governmental activity today.
The great task confronting the United States next to
winning the is that commonly called reconstruc-
ton The term Is misnomer when applied 10 our
situation which Will be of readjustment and
reconversion of American industry and economic life
to peace basis
In its research work the council is examining the
postwar plans OF other begerent countries These do
not nfallibe index complicated sit
uatiOn. The problem of each itself The data touch
ing the activities being gathered
what other countries propose doing in this respect
but European pattern will be selected for our own
model
The American problem, according to a outline made
by the council of national defense, will include
Decentralization of the army and navy and re-
absorption of industrial workers into peace in
dustries.
industrial reimbursement to peace conditions The
phsses that will come under this head are: (a) Con
industries needs; CD restora-
ton of industries curtaed by war, such for eX-
ample the building trades; Co sale of government
property; cd cooperation and regulation COM
petition; (e) trade organization.
industrial relations, labor and capital
Foreign and trade problems
5-Tariff.
6-Industral and scientific research.
Fuel
S-Merchant marine.
9-Railroads
1O-Americanizatfon Of aliens.
11-Education.
12-Government life insurance.
13- Finance
The placing o. army and navy a peace footing
and the reabsOTption OF workers into peace in
dustres involves study of possible national projects
such food control water power Development ma
tional highways and public works An ambitious pro-
along these lines could be undertaken with view
providing the necessary employment for labor pend
ing its resumption Of normal lines of activity.
In the work of turning the pough-share into the
sword the government has organized STAFF OF factory
conversion experts under the industries board and
these same men, representing the keenest Industrial
minds of the country. will help convert the plants
back 20 peace footing
War has disclosed the need for more widespread
technical vocational training methods n
ducing such development on big scale will be de
vised
Means of completely assimilating and Americanzing
our population of the United
dealing with aliens since the inception of the war
will likely be capitalized.
The executive department of the government al
ready making inquiries along the lines which fall with
the sphere of each The labor department IS formu-
atinE plans for continuing after the the spirit Of
understanding and cooperation which has marked the
relations between employer and the employed during
the
The interior department working on plans to pro
vide homestead lands FOR returned soldiers
The department, through It's foreign trade ad-
Sisors giving consideration trade
conditions The commerce department is giving sen-
ton TO problems that will come within purview.
These problems being studied under the bureau
OF foreign and domestic commerce.
The question of materials Will loom large
America has Invaluable mineral deposits Of
which have been better developed since the war has
cut on the importation OF many articles. but a vast
quantity of which yet untouched. The supply of
raw materials he allocated a way as to
beneht national industry best Data from German
sources which the council of national defense has
show that Germany greatly disturbed a
10 her postwar supply or materials
Germany has possibly given consideration "a
reconstruction problems than any OF the belhgerent
governments This partly we'll ground
ed fear that economic boycott enforced oy
her enemies.
The council Of national defense. which modified
American industry for war. is peculiarly httsd
work OF assembling and correlatng the informal ION
which guide IN determining the postwar policies
Any tentative program VIII be distinctly American.