Evening star., 1927-10-09
American Industry Now Organized for Quick War Activity

for replacement of the various district chiefs in
the industrial preparedness set-up They will have
been soldiers; they will have absorbed the lessons
of the last emergency; they will be competent and
willing carry in the next emergency: they
will be numerous enough and qualified to fill the
key positions in mobilization of industry for any
emergency that may arise.
War Department plans include estimate of
cost of the entire program that it may be pre-.
sented to Congress the moment the emergency
arises; and thus those who are in charge of levy
ing taxes upon the people to meet the burden Of
war will know in advance the size of the BILL with
an itemized accounting of what the money to
be spent for. 1t is proposed to bar the obnoxious
"proffteer," we'll that other despicable char
acter of the same hue-the Stacker"
*'x X
Efforts are now being made by those who are
counse1ing on the preparedness program make
this procurement planning and industrial mobza.
ton for preparedness stabilized recognized part
of the War Departments work. Heretofore there
has been no financing of it, and the business
council is emphatic that there should be a spec
fed percentage of the appropriation and personnel
of the War Department accated to this new line
of work that the law directs the Assistant Secre
tary to perform. Such businesslike provision
for its support is being worked out, that
it may take it's place in the regular organization
of the War Department.
In order that the United States may be entirely
self-sustaning, very special and intensive study
is being made of critical items in the list of essen
tial materials This country is better equipped
in natural resources. materials. than any
other nation, but have flaws in our arrnor
For example, Cincinnati is the tool-making center
of the world, but must have the manganese
and tungsten and anelac and other prerequisites
before we can make the tools necessary for manu-
facture of 100000 different items with which our
soldiers must be supplied.
If the sea lanes were closed to us, would be
deprived Of of these critical items. The
solution is either in laying up a reserve supply
in
a scheme for local development, with a double
guarantee by both reserve supply and substitution
where possible For example, we are now depend
ent on Brazil. Asia and Africa for manganese
which is essential for steel making one of the
prime needs; practically all of our tungsten
comes from China, and for shellac, which we use
in the manufacture of almost everything, we are
dependent upon the excretions of little bug in
India. Why, recently when little tramp steamer
sank, the price of shellac was boosted 1000 times
because there was 90 days supply that little
s.lip. and there was nothing to take it's place in
industrial life.
To meet this situation, which is not healthy
in peace times and might prove most perious in
war days, the War Department. with the CO.
operation of the great engineering societies of the
country and all other agencies of the Government
interested in this field is making critical studies,
lookng-and hopefuly-toward development of
workable substitute. The big industries, such as
steel, tool manufacture and the General Electric
Co., are heart and soul with the Government in
this effort. The pledge is given that American
genius will find the solution of this problem.
This whole layout of the new partnership In
preparedness between American business and the
War Department started under Dwight NJ.
Davis, now Secretary of War, when he was the
Assistant Secretary. with Col. H. B. Ferguson,
Corps of Engineers, chief of procurement plan.
Ming" demonstrating marvellous vision and in
spirational ideas. 1t is being carried forward by
Col. Hanford MacNder, Assistant Secretary
of War and former commander of the American
Legion, as sacred duty to his buddies in arms
that their terrible sacrifices may not have been in
vain
Let there be no misconception that this Is any
part of an effort to militarize business and the
Nation. Industrial mobilization is rather frank
and unmistakable declaration to the world that
we not only want peace, but intend to have it.
For no nation on the face of the earth (or combi.
nation of nations) will plar aggression against a
DreDared America