Evening star., 1920-01-26
DEFENSE COUNCIL
ASKS FOR $190,0())
Crock Bottom" Figures on
Which the Work Can
Be Carried On.


the peace time work of the Council
of the fiscal year Of 1929 was for
warded to the House appropria ton
committee today by Grosvenor Clark
son, director of the council
With the request statement was
submitted showing the needs of the
council for the money. outlining the
plans for the ensuing six months and
quoting the ''rock-bottom' figures at
which the work could be carried on
Research work will prove the back
bone of the activities of the council.
according 10 the estimates.
Distribution Of Fund.
For administration and operation
s21.O00 is requested $4,000 is set as
the budget for expenses and supplies: ::
for Army and Navy requirements" ::
commodity studies: for organization
study and use of the War Industries
Soard files: for the Council of Nation
al Defense system. including study Of
the council files, ard for special de-
fense problems a budget of 100000
for each division il requested For
the operation of the research services
the sum of $4,000 IL set as the mini
mum.
All sums outside OF that required
for administration and expenses are
credited TO research work. The pro-
portionate items o. the budget are
1889 per cent for administration. 10
per cent for expenses and 1851 per
cent for research work
Excerpts From, Statement
A preliminary statement accom-
panying the estimates reads in part as
follows:
1T is the judgment of the Council
of National Defense-composed of the
Secretaries of Wa. Navy. Interior.
Agriculture. Commerce and Labor
nd of we'll that the
proposals contained in this memo
randum involve in an !nescapable way
the establishment Ot the proper meth
ods for studying in time of peace the
resources of the nation for its ade-
quste preparedness in time of war.
particularly in respect of utilizing
those industrial and economic FORCES
which are the base of the national Sc
curity and welfare in modern CONNECT
at arms. These proposals are with
out exception responsive TO the plath
and unequivocal provision or the
congressional act creating the couh-
Gil.
"On June l3. 1918. the Secretary of
War as chairman OF the Council of
National Defense. appeared before the
House appropriations committee ana
requested that there DE appropriated
to the council for It's operation until
the regular session of Congress lis
then unexpended balance of approx
mately 10000
Announcement is then made of the
resubmission Of the memorandum
accompanying the request of Secre-
tary Baker at that time. TO the ap-
propriationS committee. since 1T stiii
remains the sense of the council.
Points Emphasized
The following points are emphasized
In the memorandum submitted today:
The Council of National Defense Is
charged with very serious response
bilities for giving advice and procur-
ing information in connection with
the national defense. These respOn-
sibilities cannot rightly be evaded.
nor does the council wish to evade
them but it submits thar either the
council should be abolished and the
act creating 1t repealed. or else it
must be put in a position to keep it
self constantly informed in such
way as to be able to perform its du-
ties with complete efficiency
The estimates submitted are rock
bottom figures. They have in no sense
The council considers overstatement of
the money necessary to fulfill its OBJ
legations a practice neither ingenious
nor efficient. and It is demoastrably
true that the council has never pur-
sued such practice.
Attention is called to the fact that
the council. from it's preliminary or
ganization in December. 1916, and it's
permanent organization in March, 1917.
up to. June 80, 1919. expended but
$500. 900. This included carrying the
var industries board for nearly a year.
and the expenditure of $225. 900 for the
erection of the Council of National De-
tense building. The preliminary mobi-
lization for war of the country's in
dustrial. labor and scientific forces.
from our entrance into the recent war
up to June 80. 1917, was made by the
council at cost of but $127. 900. In
view of the national services per-
formed. the council submits that this
financial record Is one Of the most
striking and economical in the history
of this government
The present proposals are set forth
in minimum terms. and have been kept
10 such a point. somewhat against the
judgment Of the council, to conform
rigid1y in spirit and in letter with the
general need for economy in the gov
ernment."
Outline of Organization.
The council announced the follow
Ing outline of its peace-time organ
ization:
To state with absolute accuracy
the most proper organization for such
national defense research as IL obli-
gatory upon the council would be i'm
possible here. One cannot make alb
solute rules for a relative world and
there is nothing under governme ent
y
flexible than national defense consid-
erations today. Based on a minimum
research need. howeVer-making due
allowance beforehand for necessary
expansion in any direction that cam
not now be anticipated-the research
activities of the council for the next
six months should fall under the fol-
lowing five groups:
Army and Navy requirements
Commodity studies.
"Organiza tion. study and the use of
the War Industries Board files.
National defense system. includ
ing study of national defense files.
Special defense problems. includ-
ing transportation and eommunica-
tion. war finance. etc
The research activities above out
lined should be considered as five ma
1or divisions of the staff of the coun-
sil. The men heading each of theN di-
visions should beyond any question
be of the caliber and ability of the
executive departments No bureau
chiefs will have more important work
An the interest of the country. The
salary recommendations made for
Shem TO be found at the end of this
memOra ndum.f n are. of course. entirely
Inadequate for the type of men de-
hired In addition 10 the five ma jor
divisions. a general research service
is provided for. This service will
pool the kind of assistance which is
needed particularly in the different
divisions and such activities as can
be rendered by single individuals to
al. five Of the divisions
$4,000 GIVEN TO "Y"
cuNn At IiNoucon