The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-07-17

tereStS but officials refused tt
charged with the work. The two
major powder companies in the
United States are Atlas and Dupont.
President Roosevelt told his press
conference yesterday that the new
gunpowder plants would be con-
structed in the interior, away from
coastal locations vulnerable to bomb
ing attacks. He had discussed this
phase of the program, including eS-
Establishment of vast underground
storage tanks for aviation gasoline,
with four cabinet members and the
National Defense Council prior 10
his press conference.
Mr.. Roosevelt made public the
commissions first report on its &C
tiyities, featured by the revelation
that the production division under
William S. Knudsen, former General
Motors chairman, has cleared ST.
SCI, 1871 ,494 in Army and Navy con-
tracts since June 6. The gunpoWder
plant contract and others to be
signed soon are expected to ada
approximately $500,000,000 to this
total.
Army Material Contracts
Assistant Secretary OF War Louis
johnson announced last night that
contracts for $4O1 100000 worth OF
army materials were concluded be-
tween July / and July 10 - $780,
100000 for new warplaneS: $200,O0O,-
600 for small arms, artillery, am
munition, tanks, and educational
(, orders; $38000,0O0 for motor trans
ports, clothing and equippage; SILL
600 900 for gas masks and plant ia
cilities; $1,500,000 for pontoon
bridges and similar items, and $780,
600 for radio and telephone equip
ment.
The defense commissions report
covered all phases of the prepared
ness program and detailed the prog
ress made since the commission was
created more than a month ago.
In making the report public, Mr.
Roosevelt said he considered it more
important than news coming out Of
Chicago or than any political con-
vention.
A reporter noted that the report
of Edward R. Stettinius, Jr., ma
terials director, had been made pub
lie previously. The President re-
piled that he knew this, but felt the
statement should be carried agar
as coming from him-Mr. Roosevelt
Stettinius reported acquisition o.
Substantial" supplies of strategic
raw materials through cooperation
of the reconstruction Finance Cor
poration and tn treasury: Develop
ment of plans for increased produc'
ton and storage of high octane gas
oline: and congressional consldera
ton of bill to xpand the Tennes
see Valley Authority's power produc
ing capacity.
Packard To Contract
Knudson reported clearance o
the contracts; imminent signing O
a contract with the Packard Moto
Company for 5000 Rolls-Royce air
plane engines, of which 5000 woul'
60 to Great Britain; and progress
toward elimination OF bottle-neck
in the machine tool industry.
Labor Supply Director Sidne
Hillman reported that 10000 to 40,
900 persons have enrolled for train
ing in skilled crafts; that needs o
private industry for both skilled an
unskilled labor have been met thu
far: and that several potentially
serious production stoppageS' hav
been averted through efforts OF nj
division.
Leon Henderson, director Of pric
sterilization, said his division wa
studying numerous proposals &c
price regulations" that surveys al
being made "of the economic OF
ganization and controls within tn
belligerent countries; and that bus
iness has evidenced a desire to &C
operate in cases where there haV
been price increases which appeare
unjustified.
Director Chester Davis of the ayr
culture division said his group wa
working particularly hard on local
ing defense industries in agricu
tural areas and, in cooperation wit
the agriculture department, in NEE,
ing agricultural problems CROWN
out of both the European war an
the preparedness drive.
Must Make Sacrifices
Miss Harriet Elliott, consume
production director, said the GROUND
work had been laid "for an e.
tensive educational campaign"
teach the public that it must
prepared to make sacrifices; th'
"protection of the public from W
Unsuitable increases IN CONSUME
goods prices is major project
and that arrangements are belr
made to that end for cooperate
with civic groups throughout II
nation.
Transportation Director Ralr
Budd reported that location
every large bus in the country IS b.
ing charted for use in instantan
Gus troop movements; that ::coi
crete recommendations" have BET
drawn UP for acquisition of "sul
stantial numbers" Of special rolli1
stock for handling troops al
equipment; and that discussion
already have been held with officia
of rail shops in Illinois, Indian
Missouri and Pennsylvania in col
nection with the program.
Work Projects
Washington, July IT. - CUP
Work Projects Commissioner F.