The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-12-26

GOSSIP 49, ss29.zs ssaEsl

WASHINGTON. D. c. Dec a.
Secretary William G. aeddeld o. the
Department of Commerce, has an
nounced plan by which, In the tut1re,
he expects to have the counsel and as
sistance Of a committee OF experienced
men who have been high executives
IA the work Of the War Industries
Board since its formation
The detailed plans have not yet
been worked out, but there are to be
fourteen men on the new committee.
which Is to be a connecting line be
tween private business and the De
partment of Commerce. sort OF
clearing house or business cabinet,
as It were, so far as the idea Is 1nder-
stood here.
west virginia win be represented
on this new committee in che person
of William FL Ritter. Of WEIGH, W. Va,
the states foremost lumber magnate,
whose services during the war first
as an executive Of the Council Of Ma
tional Defense and afterEari as an
associate OF Chairman Bernard NJ
Baruch, Of the War Industries Eoard,
have won high place for Elm IN the
regard Of members Of the government,
particularly the men OF big business,
the dollara-year-men who, like h11a-
self, laid aside all private business
| when the war started and pitched in to
help achieve victory.
It was announced at the Department
of Commerce that no Gate had been
set TOR the first meeting OF this new
! committee Sor the purpose CT erganiza-
ton and formulating plans for its
work, but it was fatimate that the
! ~ I,e rho
! Asked today II he had accepted the
! invitation OF Secretary Eedfteld to
! membership on the committee, Mr-
R:Ster said that he had and. hiG IN
familiar with the scope of the wo-6
J proposed in detail. stated that 1t was
! his understanding that The DGrpcse
! was to bring about closer cooperation
between men and the government
! Writin gto the West Virsiniau, Sec
rotary Redfeld said:
I '.Appec!ating the helpful service you
have rendered during ttlc work OF the
| War Industries Board IN bringing the
. industry which you have therein rep
! resented into touch With the govern
! rlent in time of war, l am venturtnS
the hope you may accept N invitation
! to continue those services in the De-
! partment OF Commerce in peace.
| 1T is the earnest wish OF the De
: eart31ent Of Commerce to LrI2 our IN
Z 6;:stries in every practicable way. It
as created for that purpose. Fi:her-
10. it has been able in the foreign
r.eid and in that OF scientific research
% be OF much service to American
business. The time seems ripe 20 en-
i:.-..e that service in the domestic
lid by mai,is aiming the touch with
i,.d:~,ry tha1 the War Industries
;..,ar:i has had. and tnrc''i;!, that de-
..Iop ng he,pE2l relation; t.. @2en the
s,syE-an:ert and industry - their mL-
;Uai good.
1T. as 1 venture 20 ;,ope. this ap-
io-.is 20 YOU as gu cpros5Hgity for pa
tr.cl:c service, sh"uld !se glad to
hgve your assent to the lnvitItion now
ex.elGed that you assist I1e by your
cuunsel and advice in aiding your gen
eraI industry in every phase in which
: the government can be OF service
thereto. / nave in miud particularly
! the saving OF Industrial wastes, the
abolition OF Irtful aud costly trade
u-act:ces: the conservation OF mate
| rails and the standar!i=iE of prod
ucts- The field, howcTeT, IS as Broad
! as industry itself and ami not dis
| posed to put limits on the helpful &C
tiyity that is possible.
| In discussing the project today, Mr.
| Ritter declared it was a step in the
right direction to bring about clos.
J cooperation, and a better understand!
ing mutually, between the business
men of the country and the Officials
6s the government, condition, he
said, that was deycUtly 20 be wished.
/ he expressed himself optiaIist. caily
over the successful working OF the
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