The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-21
URGES UNION OF
WAR BUREAUS
Baruch Submits Plan for Aid
ing Readjustment of
-. Industries.
PRIORITIES ARE REVISED
New Preference List Favoring
Civilian Needs Takes Ef-
feet Tomorrow.
PRIORITIEs ARE REVISED
Special pespafcA to TIE sux.

Special Despatch to The SuS.
| WASHINGTON, Nov. 20.-Methods
through which readjustment in COM
merce and industry may be accom-
Wished during the armistice period with
the least disturbance to economic condi-
sions were discussed to-day by, President
Wilson In a conference at the White
! House with the heads Of the war bureaus
and commissions.
SO far as could be learned a definite
plan OF action wss not decided upon. al
! though the President is understood to
have expressed himself as favoring the
retention of the war boards and admin
istrations until at least the greater part
OF the reconstruction work has been ac-
! complished.
Chairman Baruch of the War Indus
1 tries Board has submitted to the Pres
ident plan contemplating an amalga-
nation OF the various administrations
and boards that have been created for
the war period and conducting the re-
organisation work through a single
channel. The plan contemplates the
unifcation OF the War Industries Board.
| Food and Fuel Administrations. War
and other agencies.
Opposition Is Encountered.
Opposition TO the plan has been ex-
pressed In several quarters. however,
and 30 far as Is known the President
has not manifested a disposition to ac-
cept, the proposal.
The most important step toward re.
construction and readjustment that has
, taken place since the signing of the
armistice was announced by Chairman
parueh and Priorities Commissioner
Parker OF the War Industries Board in
the cancellation of all outstanding pri-
.nrity ratings on commodities. products
and materials and the creation of a new
preference list, giving first place in pro-
duction and distribution to goods and
articles for the civil population or for
! reconstruction purposes The order
goes into effect Friday
While 1t does not in any wise imply the
cancellation of existing contracts, It
places new and greater importance on
production orders which will afford sup
| plies and materials for other than war
purposes.
Protection of ample kind will be given
to manufacturers and producers who
have operated under the previous pref
| erence lists and have not yet recon-
verted their industries to normal condi-
lions. Applications for priority certifi-
| Gates will still be made and granted ac-
ccrding to the urgency of the article un-
der present conditions.
Favor ships, Railroads and Wires.
The new list that was announced to-
Gay puts special emphasis on the needs
and requirements Of the Emergency
Fleet Corporation, tho navy, the rail-
roads. the telephone and telegraph COM
panies. and urges the Industries OF the
country, without resort to priority as
sistance. to speed UP production and de-
livery OF orders for the repairing OF pub
lie utilities manufacture of farm imple-
msnts. and equipment for the produ ction
and distribution of food, petroleum. nat
uraI gas pipe lines. and the operation,
maintenance. repair and expansion of
coal mines, coke ovens. ore reduction
plants. and smelters and furnaces en-
ployed In the production OF fuel. metal
and metal products.
New rulings will be promulgated by
tho Priorities Commissioner, 1t Is stated,
as changing conditions of the future JUS
tify, and public interest makes necessary
the flow OF materials, equipment and
supplies. fuel and transportation, labor
and other facilities, for the promotion OF
normal conditions again.
Curtailments on civilian production
will be lifted as rapidly as changing con-
ditions will permit. It was stated by
Chairman Baruch. Representatives OF
each industry will be summoped to
washington to explain their positions,
and make suggestions for the conven-
lent readtustmsnt 0f their plants and
There are forty-two industries that
have been under curtailment. all OF
which will be affected By the forthcom-
ing conferences.
Continues AIaximum Prices.
Mr.. Baruch declared that It is the in
tention OF the War Industries Board to
continue the existence of the maximum
prices on goods and commodities that
have beer, fixed duIing the war period
for ms long time as was originally set.
AZ these dates approach the board will
consider thel advisapility OF extending
tae period.
To attempt any change before the date
nxed In the orders, ne said, will infiict
ha dships upon the manufacturers and
dealers who have received or given
orders on the assumption that the prices
would obtain at the figures designated
by the board.
Through It's control over fuel trans
portation the board In still In a position
TO enforce all OF its prices.
All international pooling agreements,
Including tin. which have been made
bv the board will be closed with the
Continued on FVtA PaOe.