Evening star., 1918-01-16
CHAOS| IN
i. S. WAR ACTIVITIES
Report Of United States
Chamber of Commerce Flaws
Lack of System Here.
URGE CENTRALIZED BODY

production beyond TRANSFORMATION c.-
pacity, unnecessary expansion and .
domestic crisis over the housing nroh-
ten iof war workers. are some of the
piooaoie results of the present war
nd nihs plans OF the government.
"hlch tend to decentralize war ef.
1orts' according to a statement sinh.
mltted by the United States Chamber
OF commerce to the Senate military af.
iairs committee today.
inns view of present war activities
oy the government is concurred in hv
the board Of directors of the cbarhar
WHO point out in unmistakable terms
Inc 1atai consequences of failure of tho
government to create an ADEQUATE con
tra1 control which will supervisa ~,
the problems of war. aii
me FAILURE to be guided by the
fundamental principle that centr.,;aS
responsibility and control is naaded 1ea.
lhe success OF any enterprise" saws tha
statement of the commerce cba hns
war committee. will bring about ,'n1
in.en.tonai imnnrtona interference with vitaIly
Important programs in connection With
snlpplng; there will be production far
beyond our capacity of ocean tr.ns
portat1on; our allies will he danr;Hsd
OF supplies which we would desire to
give them; effort will be expended in
the creation of unneeded newSfaci11.
ties; collateral problems, such as tha
housing or employees, will be negIecfad
until they seriously interfere with
osner programs; the distribution of
essential materials, such as coal viii
not be where most needed in come
ton with the war; vast uuantitias ~
material and labor will be used in M
necessary activities; and in general
there will be the atmosphere of 60
fusion which comes from inshiI;.' eo!i-
secure prompt decision ~
At Work Since June.
This statement is based on tho e,s
fngs of the committee on war activ,-
ties of the chamber, which has hoe, -.
work since last June. It is composed of
leading business men from evar.,
branch of trade and industry waS5;i,
Catchings is chairman. Aouiii
The lack of a centralized BODY which
coula mpart information to inyesti-
support of the war program is scnrna
by the committees report Gu
AS long ago as last July. the con,-
mlttee points out in it's report to tha
na senate milltary affairs committee, the
need OF central agency to purcbase
war supplies was stressed Th;
adVocated on the strength of the onin
lohs OF hlgh government officials and
eApei ~, 70 III INDUSTRY and business
The committees statement nro+...
against the governments recent NJ, ~
making the war industries hoard n ~ "
ordlnating body. and disagree ,,;tt ~
secretary Baker that a reorpa ni..+ieil I'm
OF the war Department takes tba niaon Ion
OF department of munitions or !. na,
tral body of control. Cell
Need Supervising Board
A small board or council to s,,,a
an that goes in the formation nf ,o 80
plans is most needful, the comm;tta var "a
clares. committee de-
The experience of the allies ,ns +
mistakes of their governments IN a.
vlding the authority and control nf ~
war making bureaus We're used to
profit by the committee in arrivin. ~ ~
wnat 1t thought the best solufion Of
the complicated problems facing the
united States government
"All war buying" the COMMITTEES do
clares. should be assembled under the
control of one board or executive de-
partment." oe
Tribute is paid by the committee to
the work accomplished by the various
bfanches of government in preparing
Tor war. American business NAV he
trusted, the committee assures the
Senate. to give its unfailing support to
Whatever plan the government decides
upon to meet its great problems,