Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-18
DRASTIC CHANGES
IN WAR MACHINERY
Legislation Contemplates Crca-
ton Of American War
Council.
ALSO MUNITIONS DIRECTOR
Board Will Be Modelled After
Ones in England and
France.
'By Associated Prczs1.


WASHINGTON. Januavy l7.-Fram-
, inS OF leS!z!atioa contemplating drastic
changes in the governments war ma
ch!nery. including creation Of an Amer.
lcan war council similar TO those OF
England and France and a director or
munitions. vas begun today hy tho
senate Military Committee.
Two bi!ls-one proposing the war
council OF five members. including the
Secretaries of War and Navy and three
civilians appointed by tho President
snd second to ccn;ral!Ic munition
control in a director OF munitions were
prepared to-day by "a subcommittee
consulting of Chairman Chamberlain
and Senators Hitchcock and Wads-
worth. The muAition director measure
it is planned to present 20 the fun COM
Eittec tomorrow and immediatcl, in
t:oduce it in tho Senate for carly con-
sideration. with the other bill 10 follow
soon after.
Chairman Chamberlain announced to-
night that the committee virtually had
agreed upon the two bills in lieu Of
his measure for separate department
OF munitions with a new Cabinet mem
be-. The attitude of the administra-
ton toward them has no; been dis
closed Trosidca; Wilson and Secretary
Taker opposed tho original Chamber
lain bill
The nan OF tho committee FOR tho
war council is 10 have il urdcr the
President but wholly Independent of
the Cabinet. 1T would SIT with and
advse the President in forming broad
policies, similar to the Eritish war cab =
inc; and tho French var ministry" said
Chairman Chamberlain. 1T would
I give ordination. nov lacking, in
central direction of all the govern
r:cuts war operations"
The bill 20 establish Il director Of iuu.
/ nition5 is modelled after the British law.
. The committee proposes that the d.
rector should be subordinate onlv 10
/ the war council and tho President, and
/ not the Cabinet. taking over many
/ supply functions OF the war, nav.
shipbuiidinE and other branches. Th.
( director would have control OF all war
supplies, their production, purchase
transportation and distribution.
TITLE Is WRITTEN IN
the REDRAE'TED RII.;.
The title of director of Munitions
Wa. dcnnitcly decided upon b. the
COMMITTEES and written into the re-
'''-' 49, '''' - N'iS "n.Cn
rejected proposals TO call the head Of
/ the now a6cncv the Director of War
Industries"
To-day the committee received from
+ Director clifford, OF tho Council OF Ma.
4 ,ional Defense. suggestions for cen.
Trailing munitions aud war Industrial
CoutvuI.
Virtually the only important poin;
IA the lrSi iatlon lcf; undetermined il
ih' ~ NIB ership Of tho wa. council
Senator chamb"rl,in said the plan for
ave members, including the Wsr AMI
Nav department hcad> probably
/ "ould be adopted. but other commit
ter members favor having only three
civilian 'nomhcrs and excluding the
two Cabinet officers.
1T Is pronoscd that the council
should sit continuously and be in con-
slant touch With the President Son.
( 2tor Chamberlain said. "Ccrtainlv.
( three civilian members could do 50
easily. It is proposed that this ccun-
I'I have supreme authority. with the
I President. to formulating broad gen
/ oral war policies and enforcing them
upon suhorGinato officers"
7 1t is intended that the President shall
/ appoint Tho war council members and
/ also the director OF munitions. sub
! Joct To confirmation by the Senate.