Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-05
HURLEY OUTLINES
WAR STUDY SCOPE
How to EquaIize Burdens and
Minimize Profits Before
New Commission.

A thorough study of the problem of
how to equalize the burden and mini
mize the profits of war was begun to-
day by commission created by Con-
gress, with an opening statement by
Secretary of War Hurley, chairman, in
which he outlined the scope Of the
commissions work.
Launching the hearing in the Senate
Office Building, Secretary Hurley said
the first step should be the assembling
OF data that would show the essential
needs of the country in a major emer-
gency. Continuing, the Secretary of
War added:
Next, there must be determined the
reasons why, in the Governments eff
forts to supply its needs in all past
wars, opportunity has been presented to
some individuals to reap extraordinary
financial profit, while others have been
called Upon to bear more than pro-
portionate share of the burdens.
Basic Methods Aimed.
BIASED upon these analyses, the COM
mission must develop basic methods and
policies whereby the economic burdens
of war may be made to fall with equal
weight on every element of our citizen
ship"
The Secretory of War said this is a
most difficult and intricate problem
and that correct solution of 1t is OF
tremendous Importance.
The first witnesses heard this morn
ing were Thomas Kirby, representing
the Disabled American Veterans, and
Paul c. Wolman, national commander
Of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Ralph
T. ONeil, national commander of the
American Legion, is scheduled to APP
pear before the commission this after
noon.
Asked by Representative Ross A. Col
Inns of Mississippi what he had in mind
by universal CONSUMPTION. Kirby said he
regarded it as the problem Of having 1t
realized that every man and woman in
the country has a part in bearing the
burdens OF war, as well as the man in
uniform.
Wolman said his organization rec
commended giving serious thought to
universal draft in future wars, with a
view to having the burden fall equally
on the shoulders of capital, industry
and man power.
The resolution creating the commits
sion was approved by Congress last
June, and directs it to study and con-
slider amending the Constitution of the
United States to provide that private
property may be taken by Congress for
public use during war, land methods
of equalizing the burden, and to re-
move the profits of war, together with
a study Of policies to be pursued in
event of war"
Report to President.
The commission is required to re-
port recommends tons to the President,
to be transmitted by him to Congress
not later than December of this year.
In addition to Secretary Hurley, the
members of the commission are: Sec
rotary of the Navy Adams, Secretary OF
Agriculture Hyde, Secretary Of Com
merce Lamont, Secretary of Labor
Doak, Attorney General Mitchell, Sen
ators Reed of Pennsylvania, Vanden-
berg of Michigan, Robinson of Arkan-
sas and Swanson of Virginia: Repre-
sentatives L. H. Hadley Of Washington,
w, p. Holiday of Illinois, Ross A. Col
Inns of Mississippi and j. j. McSWaln
of South Carolina.
Representative Collins pointed out,
in regard to capital. that under the
Constitution private property cannot be
taken without due process OF law, and
that due process of law means reason
able return. He asked Kirby what his
views were in that regard. The witness
replied that he had in mind guarantee
ing them q reasonable return on IN
vestmentS.
"And that would mean they would
steal everything in sight, and that the
only man who could be drafted would
be the man in uniform" remarked Mr..
Collins.
Mr.. Collins inquired whether it was
proposed to legally change the status
of the man in the factory to man in
the service of the United States. with
his pay regulated. Chairman Hurley
pointed out that the resolution creating
the committee stated that it shall not
consider and shall not report upon the
CONSUMPTION of labor.