New-York tribune., 1918-10-28
Afertimes
By Theodore M. knappen

w talk Of rsconstruesion w 'Isisilpasn legislation
for the post-bellum period is depre-
Gated by the various administrations,
boards, commissions, departments and bu-
reaus that are concerned with wagine the
war, the subject refuses to down, and four
bills resolutions relating to it have al.
ready been introduced into Congress- THE
men who are finding that the conduct Of
the war is requiring all the energies and
resources of the nation object to anv diver
sion of thought and effort at this time :,
planning reconstruction
None of the four bills on reconstruction
now before Congress makes any mention OF
the utilization of existing agencies. The
Weeks resolution provides for joint Con
gressional committee of twelve to study
postwar problems under twelve divisions
The resolution offered by Senator Owen
also calls for Congressional committee Of
twelve members, but is not so specific as
the Weeks resolution
The Overman bin provides for the cres-
ton of a commission of:tive members to be
appointed by the President, each to have
salary of $4,000 year, with an expense
fund of $500,000. The Republican organza-
tlon in the Senate has adopted modified
form of the Weeks resolution. Then, too,
the deficiency appropriation bill Introduce
IN the House provides for commission to
deal with the problem of disposing Of and
~. rsuf
that will be on hand when the ends
The Council of National Defence hss
come OF late to be considered a con
venient and natural medium for dealing
with the study and investigation Of after
war policies, both internal and external.
but it Is reported that its work along this
line has not been encouraged, and it has
been completely ignored in Congress in
this connection.
While members of Congress concede that
the men who have directed industrial and
social transformation from a peace to
war footing have accumulated invaluable
knowledge Of industrial organization and
direction, and will likely have to be utilized
IN large measure in the actual work q
restoring normal conditions they think
that the general policies should be formu-
lated by detached body capable of taking
general survey of the whole field.
The executives who have organized ths
nation for war feel, on the other hand, thsi
their experience has given them practicai
knowledge and understanding of industry
IN relation to the national life, as we'll as
such an intimate acquaintance with the
problems Of the business world that by CO.
operation they establish policies as
we'll as administer them better than any
commission or committee.
This desire to serve in peace as we'll as
in war IS ascrbed in some quarters to
desire of some of the war workers TO per
petuate themselves in office Many Of them
have found the welding of authority most
congenial and they dislike TO think Of re
turning to the obscurity of private life.
Meanwhile the Department of Commerce.
and the Department of the Interior feel
that they are especially charged with re-
construction responsibilities, and both are
going ahead with plans that fit into their
respective jurisdictions.
Social and economic reformers see in the
disorganzation that will follow the war =
grand opportunity for general reorganiza-
ton. 1t is predicted that scores of schemes
of general or particular nature will be
advanced and advocated, and that If some
central body of authority is not established
to deal with postwar problems, as & whole
the nation will be in danger of embarking
on all sorts of diverse, conflicting and ever
uf hat
domestic turmoil and external indeeisior
and vacillatian.