Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-09-08
1918 and Al
War Boards
Compared
Baruch's Report Tells
Of Groups Efficiency
By HUGH s. JOHNSON


pute and argument about the
authority given either TO SPAB
(the 1941 war industries board)
or to its chairman or executive
as compared with the authority
of the 1918 board and that given
TO p. M. Baruch that il might
be interesting to see just what
authority the old board did have.
/ quote from Mr.. Baruch's
final report, as chairman Of that
board as reprinted in his recent
book, American Industry in the
War" p. q:
mo legislation was ever
passed making specific provision
for the establishment Of the war
industries board. It's powers still
depended In large measure upon
Its ability to demonstrate Its
effectiveness In accomplishing
the common purpose and the
willingness Of other agencies to
be assisted by II, together with
the voluntary support Of the
business interests OF the country.
Several times, during the
Summer Of 1918, bills giving the
board larger legal powers were
prepared and discussed by com
mittees OF Congress. but the
general conclusion was that the
board was accomplishing its
purpose well enough without
further legislative powers.
Mr.. Baruchs personal author
ity was expressed in no executive
order, much less in any statute.
II was stated in a presidential
letter, dated March 4, 1918. Just
listen to il:
"My Dear Mr.. Baruch: am
writing 10 ask II you will not
accept appointment rs chairman
of the war industries board and
I am going to take the liberty
at the same time Of outlining
the function. the constitution
and action 81 the board as l
think they should now he estab-
hshed."
4 FrER directing action on now
"A facilities and supplies and
conversion Of old ones. conserva-
tion. advice TO purchasing
agencies on price. determination
Of priorities and purchasing for
the Allies. the letter did say:
1.-THE ultimate decision ~ all
questions. except the determine
ton of prices, should rest always
with the chairman. the other
members acting In a cooperative
advisory capacity"
The duties OF the chairman
were outlined as kind Of UNI
pire between conflicting interests
and An advisor with a caution
"to let alone what is being sue
ccsSfully done and interfere aS
little as possible with the present
normal processes Of purchase
and delivery 10 anticipate
the prospective needs Of the
several supply departments Of
the government and their feaS-
lille adjustment 10 the industry
Of the country as far in advance
as possible, in order that as
definite an outlook and oppor-
tunity for planning as possible
may he afforded the business
men Of the country.
In brief he should act as the
general eye of all supply depart
mentS in the field Of industry.
Cordially and sincerely yours,
Woodrow Wilson"
NO organization chart. no i'm
4 perial decree. not very much
real authority and most Of that
Of an indirect and rather hazy
nature.
Just the same the Job was
done. II was done so well because
Of two elements. One was Mr..
Baruch himself. the other was a
general knowledge throughout
Washington that when Woodrow
Wilson gave man Job he
backed him and that there were
no side entrances TO the White
House for dislovalties, sniping or
personal fenagling.
Every World War chieftain-
Baker. Pershing. Hoover, Nc
Adoo. Baruch and Garfield fuel
administrator and the rest felt
the unwavering strength Of that
supporting hand and all their
associates knew that when the
chief was speaking IL was the
voice OF the President.
That is the missing spark-plug
today That is all our stalled
engine needs 10 speed il 10
dynamic and irresistible action.
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