New-York tribune., 1918-11-14
Commission to Develop
Safe Programme of Con-
verting Industries
President Opposed
Congress Inquiry
u. S. Chamber Of Com.
merce Writes Letter
Pointing Out Dangers

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13.-President
Wilson has under consideration the
appointment of reconstruction COM
programme for the nations conversion
from a war to peace basis, with ad-
visory rather than executive functions
AS now considered the commission
would be representative of commercial,
industrial, labor. agricultural and So
cial interests. It's membership would
be small and it would deal with all
phases of the great problem of easing
the country from war 20 peace.
Opposed to Congress Committee
The President is understood to be
distinctly opposed to the suggested plan
of having a Congressional committed e
prepare reconstruction programme.
He is said to prefer men who can give
their entire time to the work. and
nomic and social problems. The Presi-
dent is said also to be considering
what emergency legislation may be
necessary before the government can
proceed Systematically to turn all the
resources of the country to peace time
production.
How to shut off further war pro-
duction without closing plants, throw
ing men out of work and causing finan-
clal strain is the most immediate re-
construction problem facing the gov
ernment. Hundreds of kilograms of
inquiry reaching government depart
ments to-day disclosed anxiety of busi-
ness men over this question and of
dealing with it.
Plan of Professor Sprague
Establishment of such board was
recommended to President Wilson by
Professor Q. M. w. Sprague. an econ
omist, of Harvard, who has conducted
reconstruction research work for the
Council of National Defence.
Government authorities having charge
of the placing of war contracts are
considering a plan for diverting raw
materials from war industries as fast
as these curtail their activities. to
other industries where they can be
used at once for, reconstruction needs.
War orders will not be cancelled in
wholesale way until such a plan is de-
veloped, it is believed
In this connection the Chamber Of
Commerce of the United States made
public letter to-day to President Will
son citing evidence of anxiety among
business men over the governments
future course, suggesting developmen mt
of uniform policies for all departments
and some measures for preventing a
sudden drop in prices Of raw materials
Letter Offers Suggestions
CAS- you are doubtless aware" the
letter said, "the cancellation of con-
tracts by some government agencies
during the last ten days has caused a
great deal of apprehension and dis
sturbance.
"The developments incident to the
cancellations referred to indicate the
difficulties we will have to face. un-
less the transition is gradual, and the
vast labor and financial interests in
volved are most carefully safeguarded.
1T seems to us it is possible to
work out certain common principles
which should obtain in all government
departments in affecting settlements
on contracts now to be stopped, and
adjusting them on a fair basis. We
oeileve the agencies set up in the vari-
Gus bureaus and departments to deal
with the question should be controlled
to prevent great difficulty.
"Pending the development of an
adequate organization, we earnestly
hope clearance committee NAV be
appointed at once to which will be re-
, ferred all proposals to cancel con-
tracts, with instructions to all depart
ments that cancellations shall not be
made without the approval of this COM
mittee."