r to secure a "war contract," be it for
horses, shrapnel, rifles, picric acid, guncotton, toluol, cartridges,
boots, shoes, sweaters, blankets, machinery and materials, &c. The
very atmosphere of Manhattan Island seems impregnated with "war
contractitis." We breathe it, we think it, we see it, we talk it, on
our way downtown, at our offices and places of business, at our clubs,
on our way home at night, in our homes, and I have been told that some
have even slept it, the disease taking the shape of a nightmare.

The day of the broker, if indeed he ever had one in this business, is
passed. The original commissioners have been withdrawn, or those who
have been kept here are now acting as inspectors and have been
replaced by purchasing agents. The firm of J.P. Morgan & Co. has been
acting as purchasing agent for the English Government for some months
past, is now acting in like capacity for the French Government, and
has also done considerable buying for the Russian Government.

In order properly to handle this vast volume of business, a separate
department was created, known as the Export Department. Connected with
this department are experts in all lines--men who are thoroughly
familiar with the various Governments' requirements, who know what
prices should be paid, who are in close touch with each market, and
who understand fully the materials they are buying.

There are a few more concerns, among which are one or two banks, trust
companies, and Wall Street houses, which also have formed separate
organizations for the purpose of purchasing war supplies for the
Allies. As all these concerns are in close touch with the
manufacturers and will only deal directly with them, the brokers and
middlemen have very little, if any, chance of doing business.

[Illustration]

Magazinists of the World on the War

Condensed from the Leading Reviews

While the armies and generals of the belligerents are trying
to execute by force the policies of their respective
Governments, their publicists are not less busy in the work
of voicing the national aspirations. Moreover, such a
critical examination of the status of each armed Power, from
its own standpoint and in comparisons and contrasts with its
opponents, has never been conducted before the peoples of
the world. It is a time of national heart-searchings, both
among the warring nations and of neutrals whose destinies
are onl