New-York tribune., 1918-03-06
Baruch Named
AS Head of War
Industries Board
Continued from page

or other conflict of interest between
departments in the matter of sup
plies: For example, when there is
not sufficient immediate supply for
all and there must be decision as
to priority of need or delivery. or
when there is competition Tor the
same source of manufacture or sup
ply, or when contracts have not been
placed IN such way as to get ad-
vantage of the full productive ca
pacity Of the country.
IS. To see that contracts and de-
iverics are followed up where such
assistance as is indicated under 90
and (4) above has proved to be nee
essary.
"6. To anticipate the prospective
needs of the several supply de-
partments Of the government and
their feasible adjustment to the in
dustry of the country as far in ad-
vance as possible. in order that as
definite an outlook and opportunity
for planning aa possible may be af-
forded the business men of the coun-
try.
an brief, he should act as the gem
eral eye of all supply departments in
the field Of industry"
Mr.. Baruch will be a good deal more
than any chairman Of the War Indus
tries Board has yet been. "The ulti-
mate decision of all questions except
the determination Of prices should rest
always with the chairman, the other
members acting in cooperative and
advisory capacity" Thus the chair
man has practically all the power of
the board, the other members being
merely his advisers. This is an i'm
provement in organization.
Another organization the President
has created is for the determination of
priorities Of delivery. This is COM
mittee consisting of representatives of
the food administration, the fuel ad-
ministration, the railway administra-
tion, the Shipping Board and the War
Trade Board to act with the chairman
of the War Industries Board.
This is an attempt to pull together
the various war industrial activities of
the government
1t will be observed in all this that
the powers of the War Industries Board
rcmain advisory. Its advisory func-
tlons centre in one man. That is the
chief change. The understanding here
is that the arrangement is merely a
stopgap scheme. When the Overman
bill is passed it is said that the Presi-
dent purposes to give real powers to
the head of the War Industries Board.
But apparently that sentence of his,
telling the chairman to "lct alone what
is being successfully done and inter
fcre as little as possible with the pres
ent normal processes of purchase and
delivery in the several departments. :"
disposes Of the belief that the equiva-
lent Of central purchasing organiza
ton of q ministry of munitions was to
be created out Of the War Industries
Board. The President still rescnts the
suggestion OF Congress.
Real Authority Lacking
Until Congress passes the Ovcrman
bill, 1T is said in extcnuaton of the
failure to give Mr.. Baruch real author
ity, the President could not give him
such authority. Meanwhile the War
Industries Board was drifting into utter
disorga without chairman.
Hence the present appointment.
+
a certain authority due to the conf
dencc the President has in him. He is
recognized as man close to the Presi.
dent, and accordingly he will be what
Mr.. Baker described as an "adviscr
with authority" If any one can sue
ceed in the difficult place in which he is
put, difficult by reason of the greatness
of the task and the indetinitencss of his
powers, Mr.. Baruch will be likely to do
so. He has a good reputation here for
making quick decisions, for great fore
sight and for surrounding himself with
men capable of getting things done.
lie has. moreover, courage and self
II the giving to Mr.. Baruch of tbo
powers he ought to have depends unon
tho passage Of the Ovcrman bill. it do.
pends upon the Presidents furnishing
The Senate with specifications regard.
ing his proposed use of the authority
contained in that bill The President
persists in his attitude of asking Con
eress to Iegislntc in the dark. And
Congress refuses.