The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-11-04

OIttACASin VI tlilS AdtAOiA aAAAAS
effort continues to mount Ac-
cording to one of the latest sur
veys, it Will be another year be-
fore our military production
rivals that OF England. Inasmuch
as We have three times the popu-
lation of Britain, and have many
times the resources of all kinds,
it is apparent that We are still
long, long way from anything
resembling an AL out" aTma-
ment program.
In some quarters it is believed
that our actual production may
be greater than official an
nouncements indicate-that, IN
other words, the extent Of our
arms output IS being deliberate
ly played down as d matter OF
policy. Whether this Is true
or not, however, a great many
authorities are convinced that
some radical changes must be
effected before this nations
arsenal of democracy" dream is
even partially realized.
There are three definite fac
tons involved In the defense
program. Numbr one is the gov
eminent. Here there has been
an excessive overlapping Of &C
tivity. There has been too much
divided responsibility. Some of
the more extreme New Dealers,
according to informed critics,
have put their theological am
billions ahead of anything else,
at the expense of military pro-
duction. A number of the much
touted experts who have been
given key jobs, have proven fail
ures. And the age-old vices OF
bureaucracy slOthfulness and
lack of initiative-have been re-
tarding elements.
The second factor is industry.
BY and large, 1t has responded
well to the demands of the
emergency. But certain import
ant segments, consciously or
otherwise, seem TO have been
unwilling or unable 10 abandon
the business as usual idea
This segment of industry, IN the
opinion of its critics, has been too
cautious, too fearful of losing
profits. That has delayed the
harsh changeOver from a peace
time to a wartime basis Of OPP
Grafton.
The third factor is labor. Here,
again, an important segment has
put personal power and profit
ahead of the needs of the nation
Strikes In defense industries
have cost the country millions OF
man-days of work They have
prevented the manufacture of
unknown quantities of planes,
tanks and other weapons Of war.
In these days, a strike carried
on by a few workers in a vital
plant, can stop production in a
hundred plants. A late example
is the strike in a plant which
produces transmissions for mo-
tor vehicles. That brought the
production of trucks, tanks. jeep
cars and other motorized equip
ment to a standstilL This par
ticular strike was purely a iuris-
dictional disagreement between
the A.F.ofL. and the clio.
1t is reported that the PreSi-
dent is considering a tremendous
Hyictory drive" involving the
spending of $4,000, 100000 d
wear. Some of the more level
headed friends of labor are tell
ing it that continued strikes viii
result in disaster for the trade
union movement. There are rum
ors to the effect that production
of heavy consumer goods. such as
motor cars, may come to a virtual
stop inside a few months What
will come of all this remains &c
be seen. In any case, it is plain
that the tempo of Americas wal
effort must be tremendously &C
CELEBRATED if we are to produce
the goods which the beleaguereo
AIlies abroad must have Il Hitler
is to be stopped
900
The hand Of Hitler can be see!
in the recent changes whici
have taken place in the japan
csc governmnt. And time ma