South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-06
Work of National Organization
Explained in First Report
Submitted to Congress.


tious production and delivery of war
supplies and substantial saving in
contract prices 70 the government
have been achieved by the council
of national defense through its civil
ian advisory commission, according
20 the councils first annual report
transmitted 10 congress by the pres
ident. The report covers the work
OF the council for only four months,
from the time of organization. Mar.
3, 1917, TO the end of the fiscal
year. June 80.
In a broad sense, the council
make available to the United States
the best thought and effort OF
American industrial and profess
sional. life for the successful prose-
cution Of the war" the report says.
The direction of the machinery
OF American industry for the ma
tional defense necessarily involves
the creation OF an organization of
great flexibility. The swift changes
in strategy and rapid improvement
in war machinery. attended by the
equal speed with which implements
OF warfare are scrapped and re-
placed at the front, has been re-
Elected by corresponding rapid
transformation and stimulation OF
the industrial organization within
the nations at war. The history of
the first three months of the war in
the United States has proven no
exception.
Readiness Is Watchward.
1T has been the effort of the or
ganization of the council of national
defense TO hold itself in constant
readiness to meet such new demands
and to shift its ground and expand
its facilities in the interest of the
naticoal service. It's organization
has ueen and of necessity must con-
tinue in process OF evolution rapid
enough TO keep abreast with the
rapidly changing current of the
times, and yet conservative enough
to prevent confusion or lack of
proper coordination and control. In
a peculiar sense it has felt itself
called upon TO be. constantly ready
TO fill in the gaps and assist the
regular departments of the govern
ment"
In order to assure the American
forces adequate equipment TO bring
victory, vast increases in the coun-
try output OF war supplies were nee
esSary. The council has developed
new sources Of supply for both raw
materials and finished products and
purchases of supplies for the execu-
tive departments have been coordi-
mated. Standardized specifications
for tools and implements used in
the manufacture of munitions have
been introduced and the cooperative
organization CT transportation and
electric communication for war
service has been enlisted, an air
craft program was inaugurated, mo-
for transportation facilities stimulat-
ed, labor leaders organized conjoint-
ly with representive employers for
the effective enlistment OF the work
men in war service, scientific re-
search promoted, the engineering
and medical professions modified
for war and the coal industry or
ganized for more effective produc-
ton OF fuel.
Centralized by States.
Assistance also was given by the
council to the business of the coun-
try in meeting changed conditions
and adopting resources to war de-
mands. The local activities Of the
states were centralized.
Efforts of American women to as
sist in the conduct of the war re-
ceived special attention from the
council, which provided means for
concentrating their energies effec-
lively.
The councils aircraft production
board" says the report, state that
the lack of previous American expe-
rience in battle plane construction
/ led 10 the adoption to a large ex-
tent Of designs developed in the a.
| lied countries, or adaptions from
those designs. The difference in
shop practice in this country and
in Europe resulted in the develop
ment of the composite international
design, known as the Liberty mo-
| tor so constructed and with its
parts so standardized that it lends
itself easily to quantity production
with American shop methods.
Manufacturing resources of the
country were adapted 10 the man
ufacture of air planes. the general
policy adopted being that Of relying
mainly on relatively few highly or
ganized and manifestly capable es-
/ adjustments rather than scattering
orders for planes and separate parts
among a large number OF small
shops.
Competitive bidding between the
war and navy departments and be-
/ tween sub-departments and COM
| mittees has been eliminated by the
! general munitions board, which act
! ed as a clearing house; particularly
/ for orders which involve materials
/ in which a national shortage exist
ed. Where manufacturing facilities
were insufficient the board has di-
rected efforts to develop new facil-
/ tiles.
The committee on supplies by
| the securing of options. the pegging
/ OF prices OF various articles. the al
| lotment OF large requirements
/ throughout the industries. the elm
| ination Of middlemen, and the curb
| ing of competition between govern
ment departments. has enabled the