The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-02-11
EACH HAS AUTHORITY
Stettinius to Have Free
Hand in Buying Supplies
Under Col. Pierce.
BUREAUS ACT DIRECTLY
Effect Of the New Order on.
Chamberlain Bills Still a =
Matter Of Doubt.

-
Special DssposcA to Tss SuS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10. - Reorganssa-
ton Of the General stan Of the Army
was announced tonight by Secretary Of
War Baker through a general order by
the Adjutant-General. 1t transforms
the General stan from a small Nd
viSory body to a comprehensive organi-
sation having to do with all war ac-
tivities. It gives It the authority to-
carry out the Secretary Of Wars policy
without referring such matters for ap-.
proval and 1t permits this authority to
be delegated to the heads Of the Ave
divisions created by these heads to the
heads OF sections operating under the
divisions.
Secretary Bakers reorganization may.
have the effect OF eliminating much Of
, the red tape in the War Departments
activities In that /, will give heads Of
divisions and heads of sections in the
divisions a chance to exercise authority
! in putting their own organizations on Z
practical business basis.
..-. :
Stettinius Has Free Hand.
The effect which the reorganization
will have on the Chamberlain bills or
whether the advocates Of a Minister of
Munitions measure will regard the re-
organisation as an acceptable substitute
cannot yet be ascertained Much will
! depend on how the division Of supplies
and purchases under Col. Pierce 10 ulti-
mately organized. In the meantime Il -
expected that the Minister OF Munitions
measure will not be dropped. though adj
mittedly it now has LITTLE prospect OF
becoming a reality.
! Edward Stettinius In his role Of sur
veyor-general OF supplies under Col.
Pierce. head OF the purchase and supply
division will have authority now to 60
ahead in his own way and carry out the
policies OF Secretary Baker He will
therefore have more real authority than
was at first apparent.
The general order divides the work Of
the General stan into the following i've
divisions:
( An executive division having chiefly
to do with coordinatinE tho work
mapped out for the others and Incl
dentally having the military intelli-
gence. service promotions and as
siEnments and the militia bureau
under Its control.
A war plans division.
A purchase and supply division.
Storage and traffic division.
An army operations division.
The personnel Of these divisions has
not been announced. excepting in the
case OF the purchase and supply di-
vision under Col Pierce. and the stor-
age and traffic division under Major
Gen. Goethals.
Duties Of DiStsiOns.
The detailed duties of each OF these
important divisions are outlined in the
general order as follows:
EXECUTIVE D1VISION--This o.-
vision shall take charge of the Office
Of the Office stan under an officer 10
be known as the executive assistant 10
the Chief of Stan. who shall be an as
sistant to the Chief of stan. The ex-
ecut,ve assistant to the Chief Of Stan
shall act for the Chief Of Stan or tho
acting Chief o. stan during their re-
speciive absences. This division shall
have cognizance and control OF the fol-
lowing subjects:
!. To supervise the organization. adj
ministration and methods Of all divisions
Of the General Stan and the several hu-
reaus. corps and other agencies OF tho
w
matters may he comprehensWely treated
and the activities OF all such agencies
may he coordinated. duplication OF work
avoided harmonious action secured ana
all unnecessary machinery of organ'za-
ton and administration eliminated.
Compiling Of Informat tio".
.. The collection. compilation and
maintenance OF all statistical informa-
tion obtained from the several bureaus.
corps or other agencies OF the military
establishment both as to troops and sup
plies, as well as all othcr statistical in
+ formation obtained from outside sources
relating to the war programme for trans
mission to the Secretary Of War, tho
Chief of Staff. the War Council. the
General Staff and the several divisions
thereof.
=. Military intelligence concerning es-
pionage. counter espionage, fire preven-
ton and other matters thereto related.
l. ReQuisitions and permits.
g. Promotions and assignments.
6. The militia bureau and Federal
guards.
Active War Plans.
, WAR PLANS DIvISION-This diyI-
sion shall undertake the study OF and
submit reports upon all matters re-
y ferred to it from time to time by the
Chief Of Staff and shall he in charge Of
l. an officer designated as the Director OF
the War Plans Division. This of'fcer
will be an assistant TO the Chief of
Staff and shall be president Of the War
College and in charge Of all activities
o at the War College. The duties Of this
division shall also include the following
matters:
I. Plans for the organization Of all
branches Of the army.
g The study and determination Of the
i types and the quantities OF equipment
for all branches Of the army and the
4. approval OF design and types Of equip.
ment submitted by the several bureaus
supervision OF research and invention by