Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-17
DETAILS
OF ONE-MAN CONTROL
Willard's Successor Will Not Be Sc
lccted, Pending Creation Of
War Supply Department.
CoAHnTTEE PRESSES VIEWS
Unanimous support Predicted for
"Uirector cf War INDUSTRIES ~
Without Cabinet Membership. but
With Sweeping Authority.
TRv A9soc,ated rrcs..l

WASHINGTON, January l6.-Witil
nation OF Daniel willard as chairman
Of tho War Industries Board, 1t was
intirnatcd that there would be 10 ap-'
pointmcnt Of a new chairman pend
for the creation OF n war supply de-
partncnt or administration that would
take over the work of the industries
board we'll rs that oc bureaus Of the
War and Navy Departments.
The task OF perfectinE the proposed
legislation was undertaken TO day by
The Senate Military Committee. which
temporarily suspended its invcstisa-
tion OF war preparations for the pur-
pose. Daily meetings Of the commit
tee will be held until ii pill for one
man control of munitions and supplies
is ready for presentation to the SEN
ate.
Mr.. Wizards request to be relieved
was sent TO the President in letter
dated January II, in which he said
government operation of the railroads
had raised SO many unforeseen and in
tricate difficulties that 1T seemed clear
that he should devote all his timo to
the affairs Of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad OF which he is president
While there had not been the slight
est indication of Mr. Willard's iEten-
tion to resign during his recent testi-
Eiony before the Senate committee hc
strongly advocated one-man control OF
munitions and expressed the opinion
that Secretary Bakers nov rccrEani-
zation plan was faulty. in that il did
not concentrate control and relied to
an extent upon voluntary effort.
PRESIDENTS VIEWS or PLAN
HAVE nor BEEN DISCLOSED
The position OF the President and Sec
retar% Baker toward the plan on which
the Senate committee nov virtually is
agreed to create Il supply director with
broad powers but not member of the
Cabinet, has not been disclosed. I4oth
the President and the sccretars. oppose
ahins new Cabinet officer, but in
some quarters tho belief Is expressed
that they will not seek to block the
legislation with this feature eliminated
Committee members Joined tonight
in predicting that 4 substitute for
Chairman ChamDariain's original meas.
urc proposing 4 department of muni-
iiona with Il Cabinet head would he
brought out soon with unanimous sup
mort. As tentatively drafted. the leg
isiation mould provide for - director
of war industrics''--aa individual d.
rcrtly under tho President without
cabinet membership, hut With sWecp-
ing authority TO co-ordipatc war indus
Try and control rroduction. purchaae
ana distribution cf war supplies.
Inc determination OF the commit
tee to press its legislation was further
strengthened to-day BY u statement re.
"eived from Waddill c'atchinss. pres
ident OF tho :iloss- Sheffield Steel Com
pan!, and chairman OF the war com
nittcc OF the United States Chamber
or Commerce. a. n representative Of
American business interests OF the
chamber and Individually, Mr.. Catch
insa vigorously urged action TO insurc
centralized direction of the war. tIe
criticised Secretary Eakcr's rccrsant-
cation plan and recommended that the
Industrial head DC a member OF tho
Cabinet