LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE, Washington, November 21, 1917. MY DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: I have the honor to transmit to you herewith for submission to the Congress in accordance with the provisions of the act establishing the Council of National Defense that "An annual report to the Congress shall be submitted through the Presi dent" the first annual report of the Council of National Defense, covering the activities of the council and the agencies subordinate to it up to the end of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1917. Respectfully, TO THE PRESIDENT, NEWTON D. BAKER, Secretary of War and Chairman of the Council of National Defense. The White House, Washington, D. C. FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE. The Hon. NEWTON D. BAKER, Secretary of War and COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE, Washington, November 20, 1917. Chairman of the Council of National Defense. SIR: Herein I have the honor to hand you the first annual report of the Council of National Defense, its Advisory Commission, and the various boards, sections, and committees under both the Council and the commission, from the date of their organization to the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1917. It should be stated that the permanent organization of the Council was not effected until early in March, 1917. · MOBILIZING AMERICAN INDUSTRY FOR DEFENSE. The several fields in which the Council has undertaken its work of mobilizing the national resources are presented in detail in the later sections of the report. The Council has endeavored intelligently to coordinate diverse industrial factors and to direct their activities to the definite needs of the Government. The results may be enumerated as follows: 1. New sources of supply for both raw material and finished products have been developed, and purchases of supplies for the executive departments of the Government have been supervised and coordinated to the advantage of all requirements. 2. Standardized specifications for tools and implements used in the manufacture of munitions have been introduced. 3. The cooperative organization of transportation and electric communication for war service has been enlisted. 4. An aircraft program has been inaugurated with the Government departments and assistance rendered in making the program an industrial possibility. 5. The medical profession has been organized for war. 6. A campaign has been conducted to assist commercial business in meeting the demands made upon it by war and to aid in making 5 |