The Washington herald., 1918-01-22
DEMANDS BAN
ON RED TAPE
Holland Blafnes Loss Of VIII
lards Services to Govern
ment Ineficiency.

many OF his friends In New 1ork lily
are persuaded that he would have
been able to squeeze In a little extra
time for that work while still con-
tinuing his advisory relation with the
government had he not become con-
vinced that much OF the governmental
work he has been doing represents
wasted energy. Some OF his friends
in New York who saw him the day
after he resigned from his public serv-
ice thought that he seemed greatly re-
heved. not so much because he Is now
spared many responsibilities. but be-
cause he knows that advice that he
has given, recomme ndations which he
has made, impulses which he has fur
nished and which have been no more
than academic suggestions, will no
longer occupy his time.
Undoubtedly Mr.. Willard has some
very important matters in association
with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
to work out. His phenomenal success
in re-establishing the credit OF the
Baltimore and 9hio, in investing mill
lions of earned money in improve
ments and In demonstrating the ca
pacity Of the road to earn dividends,
caused him, even before the European
war began, to be placed In the list of
railroad executives of the highest ca
pacity and greatest achievements. He
had not entirely worked out his plan
for the Improvement of the Baltimore
and Ohio system when the war began.
He is understood to have then de-
ferred these plans, being not only
ready but anxious to serve the gov
ernment in the capacity to which he
was called. But II Is inevitably an
noying and discouraging to learn that
advice has not been accepted. that red
tape has entangled various PROPOSE
tions which should have been plain
and easy to work out II represents,
as friend OF Mr.. willard's said this
morning, wasted energy.
The Coal Situation.
While there is every disposition to
assist the government, both because
Of patriotism and also necessity, at
this time when the coal situation in
the East is desperate. nevertheless 1t
is inevitable that there should be
many comments which Indicate the
prevailing belief that the situation
could. have been in part prevented
had IL been foreseen and prepared for
in the summer and early fall. The
president Of large industrial corpo-
understand why the government had
drafted 1900 coal miners when II
must have been APPARENT last sum-
mer that even with normal winter
weather II was inevitable that there
be much economy In the use OF coal.
These drafted miners were. so far as
their work was concerned, a war ne
cessity.
The administration of the fuel sup
ply department appears to have been
oalled up, partly because there were
several who were Of independent au-
thority who issued orders that were
conflicting. and partly because good
Neounsel which was offered was un-
needed.
There begins to be a great deal of
comment Of a favorable kind which
refers to the admirable administration
OF the Navy Department. So far as
IT has been possible to secure thorough
preparation the Navy Department has
meet this demand. In fact, even be-
fore the war was declared by Congress
last spring the Navy Department be-
gan preparations for possible emer-
gencies. At one time there was some
disposition not to give full recogni-
ton to the energy and ability dis
played by the Secretary Of the NAVY.
Josephus Daniels, but that time has
passed His experience, with respect
to the criticism that was heard Some
months ago, was similar to one that
was the unhappy lot of Gideon welles.
who was Secretary of the Navy in
President Lncolns administration.
Not until more than a year had passed
did the country recognize the great
services performed by Secretary
Welles and make fall acknowledgment
OF them.
Wasted Energy.
Some Of those who have recently been
in Washington speak wonderingIy of
what Is called wasted energy" or
wasted time" 1t has been not an
unusual sight to those who have WIS.,
tied some Of the departments to see
Judge Gary. of the United States Steel
Corporation, and Charles N. Schwab,
Iot the Bethlehem, waiting patiently
hour after hour for interviews or con-
ferences. although their visits to
Washington were entailed by the ne
cessity which the government is
under for placing orders for many
million tons of steel. There is no
doubt that the government can Sc
cure the services in an advisory ca
pacity Of every one of the able busi-
ness men Of the United States, pro-
vtded only. these men are reasonably
assured that their time and energy
will not be wasted.
The chairman of the board Of the
Standard on Company Of New Jersey,
Mr.. Bedford. has at this time some
extremely important matters for con-
sideration and decision, and yet he
cheerfully postpones action upon them
so that he may, II possible, serve the
government IN an advisory capacity,
the service requiring him to spend
much OF his time in Washington. Yet
It Is not at all certain that his time
and energy may not be to some ex-
tent wasted All of the men Of great
business successes who have been
doing their best to assist the govern
ment freely. without compensation or
no more than the technical salary OF
one dollar q year, do not hesitate to
say. when they speak In some con-
fidence to their friends. that perfect
Rrder cannot be brought out Of
chaotic conditions. nor can there be
no further waste Of time and energy
until the formulas identified by the
name OF red tape are completely
eliminated.
The surmise is general here that but
for red tape Mr.. Willard would still !
be In the service of the government,
although the affairs of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad also imperatively
command his attention.
HOLLAND.