Bernard M. Baruch to Woodrow Wilson
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CHAIRMAN
My dear Mr. President
I have given careful consideration to the question you raise in your letter to me of May 24th, concerning the creation of an organization through which all the war activities of the Government may be reported periodically as a basis for checking up actual operations and results, and I heartily agree with you that a good deal of loose talk, and perhaps a good deal of loose action, might be avoided if we could have such a basis of judgment and such a periodical checking up.
Your letter of March 4th appointing me Chairman of The War Industries Board stated that, "the Chairman should be constantly and systematically informed of all contracts, purchases, and deliveries, in order that he may have always before him the schematized analysis of the progress of business in the several supply divisions of the Government in all departments." I have already arranged to be informed continually of such progress of business in the several divisions of all departments.
This, as yet, comprises only information in regard to contracts, purchases and deliveries, but it seems to me that your suggestion could easily be carried out by enlarging the scope of this work which is already under way. If it were clearly understood by all departments that the requisite information should be furnished periodically and as promptly as possible, I feel confident that I could rapidly create an organization which would be able to handle the work in a satisfactory manner.
All that is necessary to give effect to your suggestion is for you to issue an executive order or letters directing me to undertake the work and directing the various Departments and Boards to furnish the requisite information fully and promptly. Directions along the lines of the enclosed draft suggestions would, I think, be sufficient. These directions will enable me to have placed on your desk at stated intervals a condensed and digested summarization of the actual operations and results of the war activities in all departments, and it will give me great pleasure to undertake this work.
Bernard M. Baruch
BMB-MS
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