The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-03-28
Baruch a Natural
Leader

New Chairman OF War IHduHtries
hoard Has Had Strenuous Career.
The Kansas City Star: Bernard M
Baruch is one Of the most picturesque
as well as forceful figures in the army
OF financial, industrial and business
leaders that came to WashinEtop ~
help the government wage a success
full war
Known on Wall street, perhaps as
the most daring as we'll as successful
operator on the street, Baruch closed
shop when war was declared. gave in
his membership on the stock ex-
chanEe and came to Washington He
went on the council OF defense 10 take
charge or the raw materials" section.
He was regarded as one of the best
yersed authorities in the country on
metals.
His first move was to close a con-
tract for copper for army and navy
needs at 16 cents a pound. about T1aif
the then market price and nearly (
cents below what the government had
10 pay on its next contract when q
standard price was set. Baruch has
moved steadily upward here in most
tion and influence and the conadence
OF President Wilson that that his ap-
pointment was generally predicted
when Mr.. Willard resigned. -
IN Warrington, they say Baruch has
nerve. he has displayed it several
times. When the subject of reorgan-
ration OF the war machinery was a
mighty tender spot at the White
House and the controversy between
ne ~ FFesloent and the senate military
afrairs committee was near its height,
Baruch was subpoenaed as a Witness
before the committee. There was
much curiosity over what he would
testify TO.
Baruch started off by saving he
didn't believe the country generally
appreciated the big work that bad
peen accomplished. Having said that,
however, he proceeded to say the
present war organization wasn't 1T
ting the demands of war. He came
out without "pussyfootfnE" with a
declaration for the direction OF NUM-
tionB bill and said he would 60 far
ther than the committee proposed
He said there was imperative need
for one man control over the supplies
and purchases and general Industrial
problems on the war. He urged taking
the purchasing divisions out of the
war and navy departments and con
centrattng them under one head
division OF the military and industrial
side Of the war Both Secretary Baker
and Secretary Daniels had bitterly
opposed this. President Wilson, how
ever, killed that particular bill by his
opposition, although part OF its nur-
pose u carried out by the naming or
Mr. Baruch tonight with the powers
conferred on him as chairman of the
war industries board.
knowing Mr. Baruch's attitude and
feeling that the biggest thing to be
done at this phase Of the war lis close
coordination OF the industries prob
lens and work Of all the war branch
es, his known position that business
men generally we're entitled 70 a
more certain and Definite industrial
program than the chit and miss svs-
tenn that has been In vogue, many
observers here believe Mr.. Baruch's
appointment to the. job Of chairman
of the war industries board is more
important than the exact powers con
ferred upon him. He ~ 81 an aw-
areBaiWe disposition and not ant 10
hang back for fear Of lack Of specific
authority TO DO some particular thing.