The Washington times., 1918-04-17
MEN, MORE MEN,
IS BIG NEED IN
WESTERN BATTLE
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
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; Continued from First PageD
arose and the allies called for more men.
I Emergencies have been growing more
numerous and the call is constantly for
more men.
1t is conceivable that America may
yet take an equal part on the Tight
ing line with the British and French.
for no one in a position OF Fespon-
sibility is for one minute consider
ing the possibility OF ending the con-
fiict with Germany triumphant.
Edward y. Hprley's summons of
Charles NJ. Schwab Is significant, en-
tirely apart from the fact that the
latter is one OF the best captains OF
production in the world. True
enough. Mr.. Schwab will not be able
to do the impossible, but Mr.. Hur-
ley's unselfish attitude in frankly
confessing that he needs bigger men
to help him is an example that could
be copied by other departments OF
the Government which are struggling
along with small-caliber executives.
Baker Returns, InspIred-
Secretary Baker is just back from
France, enthusiastic and energetic.
He was inspired by his trip He re-
fleets the determination which he
found in the British, French and
American forces abroad. During his
absence. his department has been
undergoing many changes. There
are more to be made. The whole war
situation has resolved itself into two
Nh and
troops. To get the former, more men
like Schwab are necessary
The airplane program has been
fizzle. Our men are not at the mercy
of the German airmen, as some ex-
tremists hive said, but the ineom-
petence in organization. the delays
and lack OF vision on the part OF
those entrusted with the program Is
the most disappointing phase OF our
whole effort in the war. President
Wilson appointed a commission to
investigate. Its report is in his hands
now. The President no doubt will
be impressed by IT and adopt the
suggestion OF one-man control which
II contains.
Time and money have been lost in
experimenting to get a perfect motor.
The Liberty motor Is not a failure.
but too much effort was staked on 1t
alone, instead OF playing the safe
game OF building other types Of en-
gine at the same time. That in a
plane situation. In war the policy !
ought constantly to be TO take no
chances. but to play safe
Wilson Selects His MAN
Dependence on the French for ma |
chine guns and heavy guns worked !
out without difficulty so far as these |
weapons were concerned. but in air |
plane production our allies could
not meet their own as
we'll as American needs
American factories could have been (
turning out British and French types 4
of motors or even Liberty motors OF !
the first type. The President has :
picked a man to take charge OF the /
whole situation. a man who is said
TO be endowed with big ideas and the
ability to execute them.
As for ships, the President, with
put hesitation, granted Mr.. Hurley's
request for the appointment OF
Charles NJ. Schwab. The chairman Of
he shipping board is a rare patriot.
He is much more interested in the
success of the country than his own
personal welfare, and when he dis
covered delays in production and
'ound that his own force seemed not
% be able to remedy them, he
promptly called for men who had
made a success OF production. He
oresaw his own failure and fore
stalled it.
May Obstruct Draft.
As for troops. the intrusion of an
in the House concerning
.redit for volunteers has upset some
What the plans OF the provost mar
;hars office and may interfere with
he smooth operation OF the draft un-
ess the President and Secretary
3aker intervene and persuade Con-
sress to drop the idea.
Official Washington has been i'm
PRESSED by the seriousness OF the
ituation on the western front. Great
Britain and France are calling for
more men. America is sending them
,ver in amazing numbers. Six months
go such quantities would have been
allied impracticable. hardly feasible
md unthinkable.
England and France have had to
orego some things which they would
ave considered essential before. The
irNf may come when even more men
nay be needed Americas plain duty
3 TO have those men ready.
That is the view OF the military men
nd observers here whose provision in
he past has been borne out with sin
ulsr accuracy by actual happenings