A large problem of WW1 was a lack of an industrial mobilization plan to provide arms, housing of new recruits, rationing of raw materials, what weapons were to be provided first, etc. It wasn't until 1918 that Bernard Baruch was appointed to head up a mobilization committee. After WW1 there was much criticism from Congress about this shortcoming. Congressional hearings ensued, out of which came the "National Defense Act" of 1920, appointing the Asst. Sec. of War with planning for mobilization. Naturally this caused great infighting within the army ( I believe there 6 different procurement boards and agencies within the army) as well as disagreement as to whether the military or the private sector would be in charge. See www.history.army.mil/documents/mobpam.htm