Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-14
BY REX COLLIER.

spite the hopes OF all lovers Oh peace,
ne is determined it shall find the Ma
tons resources of men and material
ready for action.
With public attention once more
focused on the problem of prepared
ness as result of Gen. Pershing's
references in his memoirs, now being
published in The Star, to the debacle
of improvidence presented during the
World War, Secretary Hurley in an in
terview today told of his plans for
averting such spectacle in the future.
Ready for another ware" the Secre-
tary repeated in response to ques-
ton. We'll, nobody wants another
war, but we would be remiSs in our
official responsibilities if We did not
consider the possibility of almost any
sort of an emergency"
IF such national emergency should
come the Government would not be
caught off guard We have not failed
to profit by the lessons we learned
IN 1917 and 1918. Our plans then for
mobilization Of manpower and of in
dustry were vague and incomplete.
Ready Now for Test.
Tomorrow, a different and brighter
picture would be presented. With the
declaration of war by Congress, there
would spring into immediate action
deliberately and carefully conceived or
CARNATIONS for the marShaling not only
of trained forces of soldiers, but of
industrial resources of supply"
Secretary Hurley leaned forward on
his desk for emphasis.
you know" he continued. Il have
very definite ideas about the obliga-
tions of industry in time of war. am
one of those who believe the army of
industry should serve as unselfishly in
time of war as the army of soldiers who
sacrifice everything for their country
on the firing line-prohteers ana slack
ers are in the same category to me.
Operating under provisions OF the
national defense act, the War Depart
ment has mapped out a comprehensive
scheme for industrial mobilization in
time of war. This program is being
worked out under Assistant Secretary
of War Payne, with the cooperation OF
varied industrial interests.
Ten-Year Study Made.
For 10 years selected officers have
bean studying the situations under
which our national security might be
ieopardized and have determined the
kinds and amounts of supplies needed in
such emergencies.
These requirements in supplies con-
stitute the Armys shopping list for
war. On it are thousands OF different
items. ranging from a twopenny nail to
q cotton tank. Many Of them are OF a
very special nature and are not pro-
duced in this country in time of peace.
There is no use taking such an order
to the neighborhood store or even to
the greatest wholesalers in the country.
The problem is to ascertain where
and when the needed things can be
manufactured. For years We have
been searching out and listing factories
suitable for the production of guns air
planes and the many other items on
our list We. know just where these
factories are located and what they are
capable of producing. In our plans We
allot to each a certain proportion OF
the estimated load. In some cases We
even have plans showing the detailed
alterations that would be involved In
converting plants TO desired uses.
Labor Supply Considered.
"But we must go beyond the mere
assignment OF wartime production
tasks to selected manufacturers. 10
each of these We must assure constant
supply OF. raw materials. power ana
labor.
investigations of the availability OF
essential raw materials have been made
and plans are being developed to govern
the use OF those in which there may be
a shortage. We are surveying the pow
err and transportation resources OF the
country and devising plans TO insure
the most efficient use OF both. Labor
leaders are assisting us i'm developing a
program designed to assure the fullest
cooperation by labor as whole.
There was one error in 1917" and
here the Secretary was unusually en-
phatic, that we know will not be re-
peated in future emergency. When
we found ourselves, upon the declata-
ton OF war. suddenly faced with the job
of accommodating military supplies scores
of Federal purchasing agents, each
spending the Governments money,
started out on a buying campaign, COM
peting among themselves for the prod
ucts Of industry. In other words. the
Government itself, due to a lack OF con-
troll over its own officials, forced prices
up and up and spent many needless
millions. In the future each purchas-
ing agent will have a certain group Of
plants with which to deal, and no other
agent will be permitted TO interfere with
him. Fair treatment to the Government
and manufacturer alike are Visuali7ed
in this program.
Industrial Plans Laid.
Another point in our industrial pro-
gram worthy of special note is the plan
ior controlling our economic resources
IN emergency. Eminent men in all
branches OF industry, finance and labor
will be brought together TO serve in a
! governmental agency directly RESPONSE
/ bic to the President for cO-ordinating
Z and unifying the industrial effort We
must put forth.
We are particularly pleased that the
industrial interests OF the country have
shown a sympathetic interest in the
Governments whole industrial program
Their cooperation has been Invaluable
in formulating the broad and intricate
plans which have been worked out OF
which are in course OF preparation.
Il intend 10 concentrate much Of my
effort while in office on the plans for
Industrial mobilization. I believe in dis
tributirg the burdens of war equitably
on our whsle people. Every citizen must
do his tull duty TO the Nation in its
time Of need, whether he be assigned
to lathe back home or to serving a
cannon at the front. / am determined
that. so far as War Department plans
can affect these things this Nation shall
never again be dependent upon others
for vital munitions in war nor shall
war present opportunity TO one class OF
citizens TO profit at the expense oil
others"