Evening star., 1919-04-20
VITAL RECONSTRUCTION DATA !
READY FOR BUSINESS WORLD
Research Division, Council of National
Defense, Announces Readiness to
Serve u. S. Industry. ~-

it's incoming information the division
issues daily digest of reconstruc-
ton news intended primarily for the
use Of the council and &ayernment
bureaus. but available also TO other
institutions whose relations to recon
struction problems are such as to en-
title them to the service. srsiT
In thus proposing; to extend it's
services. the council opens to the
business public probably the largest
and most complete assembly of: up
to-the-minute reconstruction infor-
ing also implies the proffer to indus
try and commerce of the services of
an Organization that for many months
has been, establishing connections and
perfecting facilities for the securing
Of every sort of vital information at
the earliest possible moment it. is
available. Through the fact that the
Council of National Defense itself
consists of six Secretaries of admin
istrative departments of the govern
ment. and by virtue of the further
fact that for more than two years
the council has been engaged in the
closest cooperation with national.
state and local agencies of private
as we'll as public bodies. the recon-
struction research division has been
from its inception possessed of in
valuable contracts in all directions,
President Approved Plan.
The material and staff now placed
at the service of business were orig
inally intended primarily for govern
mental use, and they WILL of course.
continue to function as the govern
mental clearing house of reconstruc--
tion information. The beginning of
the councils researches into recon-
struction and readjustment matters
in this and foreign countries followed
upon memorandum addressed to
the six cabinet members forming the
council by Grosvenor B. Clarkson, it's
director on May 6, 1918. The Presi-
copy of this memorandum and short
ly afterward authorized the council
to begin its studies. ,l..
Director Clarkson Immediately be-
gan the organization of a staff of
experts, including o. NJ. W. Sprague.
Harvard, and Herbert N. Shenton of
Columbia. Out Of this staff work
grew the reconstruction research di-
vision. which was organized on Feb
ruary 8. 1919. with Mr.. Shenton as
its chief.
The reconstruction research divi-
sion has come to feel more and more,
as the reconstruction has progressed.
that, its information service should
be made available to the leaders of
private enterprise, just as IL Is Hlduc
responsive to the needs Of govern
mental agencies. The problems and
responsibilities of reconstruction
tend, as time goes on. to fall more
and more heavily upon the shoulders
of business and relatively less upon
governmental machinery. OF the two
grand divisions of reconstruction. de-
mobilization and REORGANIZATION. the
former belongs chiefly to the gov
ernment and the latter devolves
mainly upon private enterprise. The
former tends steadily toward it's
conclusion: the latter broadens into
the foundation of an indefinitely ex-
panding future. And though the
government has, and will continue
to have. important responsibilities in
connection with the economic re-
organization of the nation 1t must
be acknowledged that those who are
to deal with these problems hand-to-
hand are the directors of business
undertakings.
Emerge Into New World.
It-must be recognised. also, that we
have come out upon new world, in
sense, in emerging from the world
war. Our industrial and commercial
reorganization must be effected un-
der conditions that have undergone
considerable alteration during the
struggle. Not only price levels, but
price ratios also, have been changed,
and in many cases permanently so.
New industries have arisen; markets
have been altered; International eco
nomic relations are modified; means
of transportation and communication
have been partially revolutionized, but
nothing has undergone greater>change
than our social viewpoint, and espe-