Evening star., 1941-11-07
Nelson Pledges
End Of Confusion
Over Priorities
Tells Construction
Industry Materials
Will Be AIiocoted

Donald M. Nelson, Federal prl-
critics director, assured the con-
struction industry today of the
Government intent to eliminate
confusion" associated with priorlties
by substituting system of alloca-
tions on strategic defense materials.
Addressing the closing session Of
the Construction Industry Confer
ence at the United States Chamber
of Commerce, Mr. Nelson said it was
the aim of the Office of Production
Management eventually Ito put this
thing on a basis so that we know ap-
proximately how much the armed
services are going to need each month
and We know on what rate industry
will be able to operate with the ma
terial that will be left, so that that
can be properly allocated to it by the
Division of Civilian Supply working
with us, and enable us TO get back
on a somewhat even keel again"
Mr.. Nelson, executive director OF
the Supply Priorities and ALLEGATION
Board, said he did not know how
quickly the change could be made,
warning against getting any false
hope" about the consequences 70
present-dav business but declared
that we are at work on H."
Intent on Beating Hitler.
Reviewing the need for restric-
tions of strategic amterials under
the defense economy, Mr.. Nelson
said o. P. MS efforts have always
been in the interest of national
defense, the health or safety of the
people" adding that 1t is our de-
sire and earnest endeavor" to elm
mate the tremendous amount of
confusion that has resulted in the
national economy.
When the demand for materials
| becomes greater than the supply the
whole method of priorities certifl-
Gates will not work, because it
won't necessarily get you the ma
terial." Mr. Nelson declared.
Certainly manufacturer,
contractor or anybody else can
only do business on something he
has, not on a piece of paper or
promise. and some day in the far
distant future he may get it. That
is why our whole thinking. in or
der TO simplify the system, is to 60
straight to ALLEGATIONS"
/ He said the ALLEGATION system
/ would include the Army and Navy
| as we'll as everybody else, but added
that there is nothing in this sys-
/ tenn that I or any others have
anything to do with that will deny
the Army and the Navy anything
they need for national defense, O"
TO be blunt, that may be needed
anywhere to lick Mr.. Hitler
Panel Discussion Held.
After Mr.. Nelson's talk panel
discussion was held with five o. P.
NJ chiefs answering questions from
the floor.
Preparation of a plan for transi-
ton from wartime TO a peacetime
economy was urged by David c.
Prince, president of the American
Institute of Electrical Engineers, at
/ the conferences annual dinner at
/ the Mayflower Hotel last night.
Expressing hope that the war will
have ended by 1916, Mr. Prince as
serted that such plan should
contemplate progressively higher
standards of living. brought about
| by full employment"
Richard j. Gray, acting president
of the Building and Construction
| Trades Department of the American
Federation of Labor. another speaker
/ at the dinner. made plea for e full
measure of cooperation" between
/ labor and management in the build
ing industry.
Mr.. Gray pointed out that the
| 100000 building craftsmen in the
A. F. of L. had given their pledges
through their unions to make their
utmost contribution to the Nations
| defense"
w. M, Watson. president OF the
Associated General Contractors of
America. told the conference yes
terday afternoon that the record
of the industry on defense projects
is a modern miracle, unequaled in
the worlds history -