William G. McAdoo to Woodrow Wilson

I presume that the report in yesterday morning's paper about the organization of the Purchasing Commission through the Council of National Defense is accurate. Of course, I accept loyally your decision and shall do all I can to help, but I must confess that I am genuinely discouraged that such a complicated piece of machinery has been set up.
You are insisting, and I think properly, on a single-headed Food Commission. I have all along felt that the reasons were equally, if not more convincing, for a single-headed Purchasing Commission. A commission of three, charged with the duty of acting for our Government as well as for the foreign governments, seemed to me to be the most we could have for efficiency and quick action. Such a commission would have had the prestige and power to do great work which would have been reflected in decreased demands on the Treasury. I fear that a separate foreign commission will be a sort of side-show under present conditions, commanding small respect and having little power or influence. It will be regarded as a thing apart, with an entirely different status and intended to differ in treatment so far as prices are concerned. If the commission appointed to purchase for our Government had been identical with that appointed to purchase for the foreign governments, it would have been difficult to draw the line as to what inquiries and prices were being made for foreign account and what for the account of the United States, and the chances of securing equally favorable prices and treatment for foreign orders with those of our own Government would have been greatly improved.
However, I think the foreign Purchasing Commission should be appointed in any case, and it will be an improvement on the present condition to some extent, at least. Before going further with it, I should like very much to have your suggestions as to how you think it can be best related to the new piece of machinery. I hesitate to press the matter further until I have the benefit of your views and suggestions.The President,The White House.