New-York tribune., 1918-11-07
plans Set to Increase Pro-
duction Of Peace Goods
at Once
s.eel for Railways
Likely To Be First
sb;nbuilding Will Continue
70 Be Favored by Allot-
ment of Materials
Bv Theodore NJ. Knappen

WASHINGTON. Nov. e.--The mo-
.,.nt the armistice with Germany is
.;sn.d the production of war materials
IN, be checked and the restrictions on
.he production Of peace goods will be
,slayed. This statement is authorized.
The various boards and departments
- administrations that are active In
sromoting production for war and
.urbing non-essential productions are
.,r.adv comforting regarding steps to
!. taken to take the brakes off the
.normal course of industry, and they
exuect to announce some sort Of a
.,ooramme as soon RS the armistice
is signed.
The industries to receive the first
consideration will be those that are
ma most essential to normal civil life,
and whose promotion will bear i'm
rediately on the enhancement of the
national interests in the post-bellum
period.
Railways To Be Favored
Il was indicated to-day at the War
Industries Board that the requirements
of the railways for steel and equip
n,ent would receive immediate atten-
finn. as it was considered elemental
that the rail highways of the nation
Sc nut into a condition of maximum
efficiency at the earliest possible mo-
ment. 4
II was also indicated that shipbuild-
ng would be favored in ALLEGATIONS of
steel and other materials. as it was
sletion at the earliest possible moment
Of the great national marine now
under construction is as important in
peace as in war;
II was said that some very extensive
projects are being held up pending the
armistice decision that, if not entered
uron, will release large quantities Of
steel, and that there will at once arise
the problem Of apportioning this ma
terial. Other contracts will be can-
cslled that are of such nature that
the national interest would not greatly
suffer, even if the war should be re-
sumed after pause.
Indeed, il the terms Of the armistice
ere such that it is beyond dispute that
that she will accept whatever sort of
peace the Alliessdictate, it is likely that
ell contracts not necessary to the main
'enance OF the armysin being will be
cancelled.
Will Release, Materials
Iais viii release not only large
amounts OF raw material of various
kinds, hut will also throw on the mar
ket vast Quantities of finished goods,
Iiow. IN process of manufacture for
military purposes, that are equally
suitable for civilian uses.
According to reports that come to
Inc War Industries Board business men
seem to be divided into two camps re-
gardlng readjustment. One camp
fears that there will be an oversupply
Of goods and that prices will break
The other fears that the demand for
goods will be greater than ever, with
danger of period of great imitation
and skyrocketlng prices unless artif-
clal control is continued.
The no6cy of the War Industries
Board doubtless will pc TO approach
the normal condition of unrestricted
trade by gradual steps in withdrawing
'fNpS' siSlOli, Out
the situation firmly in hand, with the
Intention Of using all Of its powers, if
necessary, to steady trade up to the
very last moment of it's life.
The opinion is expressed, however,
tsat the war HAS 80 confused and tan
eied trade relations that there will be
aisrge number of trade problems that
WI have to be solved by artificial gov
slnment measures, just as they have
oeen created thereby.
Foresee Foreign Demand
TO large extent, if price problems
we're only those that would arise from
mmsilcan ,.;sa1 demand and supply, they
night not be difficult to deal with, but
me foreign demands for American
sOods, according to some of the gov.
emment authorities, are likely to be sc
sseas that they will replace the war