Evening star., 1942-01-11
Maj. Eliot Urges War Cabinet
With 8 Fields Represented
Wallace Is Declared Logical Choice
For Important Role Of Coordination

elements remain to be dealt with:
Of these, by all odds, the most I'M
portant is production.
Solved Problem for Britain.
The necessity for placing the
entire productive effort Of the Nation
under q single officer Of cabinet
rank possessing adequate authority
and freedom of action seems al
most beyond argument. In Britain
the long struggle to obtain q min
istry of supply went on for years
before such ministry was finally
organized in 1899.
The same arguments were used
against it that are being used now
against q similar organization here
All those who have to do with the
present agencies concerned with the
matter appear to regard proposals
for a ministry of supply as q
criticism of themselves. 1t is time
to set aside all such considerations
and give the Nation the organization
it needs In order to become, In fact
as we'll as in name, the arsenal OF
freedom.
A secretary Of economic warfare
is another essential cabinet member
whose duty would be to obtain raw
materials and to use the economic
power of the United States as q
weapon against its enemies.
The secretary of civilian defense
should include within the scope
of his authority all matters relating
to the war organization OF the
civilian population, including morale
agencies and the Federal police
organization.
Propaganda Agency.
There should probably be secre-
tary of information to deal with
propaganda, counter propaganda
and to direct an American press
service In Allied and neutral capt.
tails. He need not necessarily be q
member Of the war cabinet.
AS for shipping and transporta-
ton, it may be possible to handle
this under the secretary of economic
warfare, or practice may show that
it requires a separate cabinet de-
partment of its own.
The members of the war cabinet
should have full authority within
their own respective spheres OF
activity, subject only to the general
direction of the President, but they
should as far as possible be relieved
of the pressure of administrative
detail by undersecretaries and as
sistant secretaries. 1t is imperative
that they have as much time as
possible for thinking and planning.
Military, naval and other techni-
cal advisers would be brought in
to participate in the discussions
with the war cabinet whenever nec-
essary; when strategic decisions are
being taken the attendance of the
chief of Staff and the chief Of naval
operations should be a matter Of
course, and 1t is probable that a
small joint planning staff would be
advisable.
It is of the first importance that
the war cabinet should have for
NAL organization with q well-or-
ganized secretariat, and should hold
daily meetings for the transaction
of its business.
Coordination All-imp0rtant.
Finally, we come to the vital and
all-important matter Of coordina-
ton. For this task, the most I'M
portant in the Nation, other than
the Presidency, the only possible
choice Is the Vice President. Mr.
Wallace has already shown his very
great abilities in precisely this sort
of work; he should now be permit
ted to extend these abilities over
q wide field Of responsibility. He