Evening star., 1940-05-17
Berlin Claims Brussels Taken; Bequn Government ees TO 0stend
R. &c. to Help Plants
Expand to Step Up
Defense Production
Special Industrial
Mobilization Group
Moy Be Set Up

Mobilization Group
Moy Be Set Up
BY JOHN C. HENRY.
Hopeful that private capital win
fill the bulk of the needs for the
Nations defensive industrial ex.
pansion, President Roosevelt told
his press conference today that
essential direct financial assistance
will be provided by the Government.
For the most part, he indicated,
such Government aid will come
through the Reconstruction Finance
Corp. Significantly, in this connec.
ton, the President summoned Fed.
eral Loan Administrator Jesse II.
Jones to the White House for q con.
ference today. Former head of the
r. F. c.. Mr.. Jones still has jurisdic.
ton over that agency in his broader
capacity.
I'VE can do It," Mr.. Jones said,
laconically, as he left the White
House. Wen give them whatever
we've got
"There'1l be no demand for plant
expansion that we can't meet" he
added.
Disclosing that conversations al.
ready are underway between Gov.
ernment and industry representa-.
tives as to ways and means of in.
creasing production facilities, Mr..
Roosevelt indicated there may be
a special industrial mobilization
group set up. at least for advisory
purposes. Asked If he plans to name
some individual to the immediate
task Of heading this work, he re-
piled plans have not quite reached
that point but that undoubtedly
somebody would have to be brought
| in.
| No Government Operation.
In remarking that several plans
are under consideration for financ.
ing and expediting the expansion
OF plant capacities, the President
said positively that Government
operation Of factories is not being
contemplated. In every respect, he
indicated, it is the desire to leave
as much Of the problem to private
industry and finance as they seem
able and willing to handle.
Mr.. Roosevelt's discussion of this
matter arose during questioning
specifically about his plans for the
use of the 500, 900 900 appropriation
and the added 500, 900 900 author
ization which he asked Congress
yesterday to place at his personal
disposal
AS in his message to the Congress,
Mr.. Roosevelt said today he ex-
pected greater part of these funds
to 60 into increasing production Of
airplanes and anti-aircraft guns and
the training of additional personnel
for these weapons.
Emphasizing there are many
things which cannot be foreseen,
the President told his conference
that only today the question had
arisen about commissioning IS
World War destroyers. These would
be IN addition to other World War
ships recently put into service. II
decided on, he added, the cost would
be considerable but still would not
justify calling Congress into special
session to provide necessary funds
II the problem arose after adjourn
ment.
Problem Of Machine Tools,
| Another such emergency, he con-
tnued, may arise with regard ia
supplies of machine tools. Foreign
countries have ordered such tools,
he said, but it might be necessary
for the United States to tell The
manufacturers the tools are needed
for our own defense and to exercise
the right, provided by a clause In
contracts, for this Government to
obtain the tools for the same price
which the foreign purchasers would
pay.
Mr.. Roosevelt acknowledged that
much consideration has been given
the problem of skilled labor and
hours Of work in industrial defense
occupations. In this connection, M
said the Government must TAXI
positive steps, among the possibil-
tiles being the broadening of labor
training programs under the Ma.
tional Youth Administration anc
the Labor Department. With re.
gard specifically to the problem o1
increasing the work week for Gov.
eminent defense plants, he sale
there may be q recommendation
made to Congress for Legislation
bearing on the labor problem.
Can Undertake Program, He Says.
Somewhat grimly, the Presiden,
repudiated assertions that the Ma.
ton Is not In q position to under.
take at this time q supplementary
billion dollar defense program. 4
4