The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-11-03
BIC REDUCTION
IN AUTO OUTPUT
Part of Each Plant to Be
Utilized in War COnstruc-
ton Operations
CHANGES WILL BE
MADE GRADUALLY
First Step in the Government Program
for the Consumption of Industries -
Plan to Prevent Costly and Disor-
ganizing Migrations.

WASHINGTON, Nov 3. Consumption
of industries to supply the needs of the
army was discussed yesterday by the
war industries board with automobile and
accessories manufacturers, who pledged
their full cooperation TO the government
in whatever is necessary to win the war
The plan is to divert part of each
plant to the production of war material
1t was made plain to the manufacturers
that while their help is required, the gov
eminent has no intention of taking any
drastic action which would cripple the
industry.
it was arranged TO have the manufac-
turers represented in the National Auto
mobile Chamber of Commerce and the
Motor and Accessories Manufacturers APP
point committee to work with the
automotiye products section OF the war
industries board in planning how the big
automobile factories of the country can
be of the greatest service.
| The conference is the first OF many to
be held With makers of non-essentials as
the progress of the war makes greater
demands on the country's resources All
such industries probably will be called
upon to fall in line behind the govern
ment in curtailing the production Of
Everything not making a direct contribu-
ton to the nations fighting efficiency, in
conserving coal and raw materials and
in relieving the strain on the transporta-
ton system.
Business men directing the govern
ment's vast war expenditures have found
il advisable to take their work to estab-
lished factories rather than to create
wholly new agencies for making wal
supplies In this way. it is said, greater
efficiency has been obtained and at the
same time industrial organizations built
up by private enterprise have been kept
together.
| Curtailment of production of motor
vehicles was said to have been taken NJ
first. because of the manufacturers vol
untary offer OF cooperation, because OF
the highly organized nature of the indus
try and because the problem of obtaining
raw materials also used in the manufse
ture of munitions. had become seriou,
for the automobile men
The extent of the decrease in produc
ton probably will be very substantial,
to be effected gradually as portions o.
the plants are diverted to the manufac
ture of shells, airplanes and other wa
necessities
Everything will depend on the govern
ment's needs and no step will be takel
until its effect has been weighed and til,
the war industries board is sure it i
for the good of the country as a whole.
Particular attention was paid to tn
question of employing men now at worl
in factories where products may be cur
tailed, and it was stated authoritative,
that no action will be taken in any cas-
until definite plan has been formulate,
as to how the labor affected il to b
employed in the home territory, thereb,
preventing costly and disorganizing mi
grations.
Figures quoted show that the value o
automobile and accessories products dur
ing the past year was nearly S2,500,00(
and that the industry employed approx
mately 100000 men, who supported fly
per cent of the country's population.