The War Industries Board was created in 1917 by President Wilson to prepare the U.S. for war. The board consisted of 12 members, one which was the former president, Taft. Others were labor union officials, representing carpenters, machinists, miners, seamen, and railroad owners.(War Industries Board: Definition & Significance) Out of all the government agencies, it was the most important. It’s main purpose was to direct production and distribution of war materials and the purchase of war supplies. It was expected to increase product quality and efficiency in factories, get rid of waste, and conserve natural resources. (Uphill All the Way). The board consisted of many different divisions which took on these roles. (War Industries Board) The
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(Independent War Industries Board) Under the WIB, industrial production increased by twenty percent. Financier Bernard Baruch also ordered many companies to help out in the war effort. For example, he told Ford to make military tanks and other vehicles. He also ordered other companies to stop production and start making weapons and ammunition.(War Industries Board: Definition & Significance) While all of these successful achievements were great, there were also some drawbacks. Retail prices skyrocketed because the WIB applied price controls at only wholesale level . Retail prices were nearly double what they were before the war. Not only did the WIB affected the war effort, but it also changed the way women wore clothing. For example, they had to stop wearing corsets with steel ribs because Baruch claimed that 8000 tons of steel could be used to create 2 battleships. (The War at Home) Without the board’s success the U.S would not have been ready and prepared for the war. The successes of the board also convinced government leaders to increase federal powers, thus influencing the creation of other wartime agencies.
(Independent War Industries Board) Under the WIB, industrial production increased by twenty percent. Financier Bernard Baruch also ordered many companies to help out in the war effort. For example, he told Ford to make military tanks and other vehicles. He also ordered other companies to stop production and start making weapons and ammunition.(War Industries Board: Definition & Significance) While all of these successful achievements were great, there were also some drawbacks. Retail prices skyrocketed because the WIB applied price controls at only wholesale level . Retail prices were nearly double what they were before the war. Not only did the WIB affected the war effort, but it also changed the way women wore clothing. For example, they had to stop wearing corsets with steel ribs because Baruch claimed that 8000 tons of steel could be used to create 2 battleships. (The War at Home) Without the board’s success the U.S would not have been ready and prepared for the war. The successes of the board also convinced government leaders to increase federal powers, thus influencing the creation of other wartime agencies.