Evening star., 1918-01-16
FOR REORGAN|z|NG
WAR SUPPLY PLAN
Mr.. Catchings, Differing From
Mr.. Baker, Urges One
Central Authority.
SHOULD BE IN CABINET

Recommendations for reorganization
of the war supply machinery, as ap-
proved by the Chamber of Commerce OF
the United States, was presented to the
Senate war inquiry committee today by
Waddill Catchings, president OF the
sloss- Sheffield Iron and Steel Company.
Mr.. Catchings discussed Secretary
Bakers plan in detail, and said its
faults include divided purchasing re-
spensibility and too large advisory
functions instead of legally conferred
authority. The purchasing plan OF Sec
cretary Baker, he said, is most per-
nicious."
Contradicts Secretary Baker.
England, Mr.. Catchings said, has
recognized the principle of centralized
munitions control, although the British
system is not ideal. He fatty contra
dicted Secretary Bakers statement that
the latters organization virtually Is
similar to the British munitions con
troll. He denied Mr.. Bakers assertion
that the British munitions director mas
NO jurisdiction over navy supplies.
The British director, he asserted can
not dodge OF shift responsibility.
Changes in present federal orsahiza-
ton Mr. Catchings said, should not be
sudden and should not disturb. Ior % m
stance. the Navys splendid buying
organization" T..
1T is unthinkable that we snoulo IN
this crisis destroy any efficient organi-
cations" he said. but central au,
thority could gradually assume ana
take over direction.
mo sane man would destroy WORK
4
lain observed.
Wants Munitions Head in Cabinet.
The central munitions director. or
minister. proposed by the chamber, Mr
Catchinss said. differing with Char
man Willard Of the war industries
board and Director Clifford OF the
Council of National DeIehse' shooiu Do
a cabinet member
1--WE believe he should have equaI
dignity, position and access to the
President with other cabinet members,
arise" he added. stating that War
Department purchasing bureaus, for
example, could easily be transferred TO
the jurisdiction of the munitions secre-
tary, or minister. and still leave suo-
stantial department
A war council, similar to Englands
and subordinate only to the President,
Mr.. Catchings also declared. snoaAo &c
formed to decide disputes between the
munitions head ana o.nsr sr;o,a Sapsn nnns+ent- o
Iy. he declared, and be superior IN
power even to the munitions director.
Senator Weeks asserted that e war
cabinet seems esSentlal 10 'oeHne UFodo
nolicies in advance.
"One of our principal weaknesses Is
that our cabinet only meets once week,
or. at most, twice." Senator hitchcock
interjected.
Favors One Central Authority.
"Now we have no one sitting on
broad problems to decide disputes be-
tween the various enterprises" said
Mr. Catchings I'VE should have
central authority above the cabinet and
below the President:
"One man could do that" suggested
Chairman Chamberlain.
Yes we don't care what the agency
is. but we are contending for the prin-
ciple of having a central authority,
Mr.. 'Catchings replied.
Catchings, believe there is lack OF CEN
trail control and responsibility in our
war program. The effect is very harm
full and the program is not balanced,
Shipping to Have Right of Way.
shipping is the principal part of the
program. and yet it has not been given
producing ships and will not for many
months that would have been produced
il we had had effective methods. That is
not due to personnel. but because the
machinery is inadequate. 1t couldn't be
successful with any personnel.
There is absolutely no one engaged
in preparing a broad war program"
Declaring that the industrial situa-
tion is very serious and unfortunate"
Mr.. Catchings said that $4,000, ,000.0 900
IN material and products is being with
drawn for the war.