Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-04-07
DEFENSE COUNCIL
DOES GOOD WORK
Organization Saves Millions of
Dollars to Government in
Mobilization Plan.
CREATES MANY AGENCIES
Whole Effort Directed Toward
Aligning Resources of Coun-
try in Prosecution of War.
CREATES MANY AGENCIES
ny WALTER :. CLIFFORD,
Director of tho Council OF National Dc
tense mud Of tho Advisory

Commiysion.
The Council Of National Defense. tho
advisory commission and the agencies
under both bodies were not pcrma-
ncntly organized for business until
March 3. 1917.
Three OF the councils chief contribu-
tions TO Americas part in the war have
been: first. the enlistment Of The in
dustr!ai. engineering and scientific
leaders Of the country for the uatton's
defense; second, the elimination Of
prontc"rinE 10 a very considerable cx-
tent in the war making OF the United
States; third, its function as a cruciblc
for the development OF new ideas and
no" methods of administration de-
msnied ny modern war.
More specifically. some Of the ac-
comp!ishmcnts OF the council for the
past twelve months may be instanced
a follows:
The procurement OF raw materials
for tho use Of military and naval forces
or the United States al prices greatly
hciow tho current market price. this
hoint, made possible BY cnlisting the
patriotic cooperation OF Industrial
leaders.
The completion Of tho inventory. for
military purposes. OF American manu-
featuring plants.
The saving TO the government OF
millions Of dollars by the proper CO.
ordination OF purchases through the
agency OF the general munition board
OF the Council OF Defense. this board
being later absorbed by the war in
dustrics board.
The mobilization Of the $4,000 miles
q NJ he 10
governments defense at the instance
Of Daniel Willard, chairman OF the ad-
visory commission.
The close-kni; organization of tho
telephone and telegraph companies OF
America TO insure to the government
the most rapid and efficient wire com
munications. headed by Theodore "
Vail, reporting to Mr.. Willard
The creation, under the medical sec
ton of the council. OF general medi-
cal board. consisting of many of the
most highly qualified surgeons and
physicians OF the country
The selection by the same section OF
thousands OF doctors specifically quail
fed for membership in the medical OFF,
GERS reserve corps. and the standardi-
cation. far on its way 10 completion, of
surgical instruments and supplies
The creation by the council OF tho
aircraft production board.
The results obtained by the coun-
ellis committee on coal production in
the procurement and expeditions ship
mcnt OF coal, both in the civilia and
Federal interests.
The very general acceptance by labor
ANA capital OF the suggestion of the.
council that existing labor standards
should not &c changed until the need
for such action had been determined
by the council. with the stcadying in
fiuence on industry growing out OF
such action.
The saving to the government OF
millions of dollars through the appli-
cation by the committee on supplies
OF The council OF the most modern
business methods in the purchase OF
supplies for III. War and Navy De
partmcuts, largely through the clirni-
nation Of middlcmcn.
The work performed by the councils
committee on emergency construction
and contracts in enlisting the best
building and architectural experts OF
the country for the creation of the
environments for the National Army
The successful initiation of :, move
nicnt TO co ordina te activities on the
part Of the States g; the Union for
the national defense. and form state
councils of defense. brought to a clear
and workable focus by a conference
OF states held in Washington at the
call and under the auspices of the
council. and Which movement has
reached high point of organization
under Il special section.
RAILROAD COMMITTEE;
ORGANIZED AND SENT TO RUSSIA