Evening star., 1941-08-30

removed from dictatorship of the
priorities division Of o. P. M.
and receives the title of lease
lend administrator, formerly held
by Hopkins. But the real power
of the ONCE is retained by Hop
kins as special assistant to the
President. Since the enforce
ment of priorities Is the chief
weapon of the defense program, 1t
had often been pointed out that
it was illogical to subordinate
its administration to o. p. M.
This defect is remedied in the
reorganization, which makes the
exercise of priorities not only
equal but superior to o. p. Ms
authority.
In the first defense organizs.
tion, that of the National Ad-
visory Defense Commission, Stet-
tinius was director of the in
dustrial materials division. 1t
went wrong on almost every de-
fense material, including steel,
copper and aluminium. As direc-
tor of priorities, Stettinius has
been charged with such anxiety
to please that he nearly wrecked
the system. He was former board
chairman of the United States
Steel Corp.
John D. Biggers, director of
o. p. Ms production division, is
sent to London with the title of
Minister to help w. Averell Har-
riman, who also bears the name
Of Minister, expedite the lease
lend program. Hartman Is said
to be In the White House dog
house at present, because of his
bluntness In telling the truth
about tagging supplies for Brit
ain.
Criticism Of Biggers Is that
his division was directly respon-
sible for many avoidable bottle
necks, and that he played such
agile politics within o. p. M. as
to earn the nickname of the
Phantom" He is president Of
the Libby-Owens-Ford Glass Co.
In Toledo. With Knudsen and
Stettinius, he completes a trio
Of big business Representatives
whose former powers in o. p. M.
have either been clipped or abol-
ished.
Two-MaA Leadership.
The new setup illustrates once
more the Presidents penchant
for creating two-man leadership,
with New Dealer as check
against an industrialist or busi-
nessman. Stettinius, as lease
lend administrator, is linked with
Hopkins. just as Knudsen re-
mains paired at the head Of
o. p. M. with Hillman.
The most conspicuous example
is in the new Supply Priorities
and Allegations Board. Wallace
is chairman, but as executive
director the President named
Donald M. Nelson, former Official
of Sears, Roebuck g. Co., and
until his promotion director OF
o. P. MS purchases division.
1t is agreed that potentialities
exist in Nelson's new job for a
gradual extension of power and
public service to rival those of
Baruch, but there is grave doubt
whether, for political reasons, he
paper at least, is subordinate not
this. Nelson is regarded as the
ablest administrator in the de-
fense organiza ton, but his au-
thority to make decisions, on
paper at least, is subordinate not
only to that of the President but
of the Vice President also. 1t
Is provided that in the absence
Of wallace, Nelson will preside rs
chairman.
A typical Roosevelt compromise
is seen in the handling of the
former once of Price Admins
tration and Civilian Supply.
Complaint has frequently been
made that the two functions are
in large degree incompatible, and
that the one of price-fixing
should stand aloof from all other
defense activities.
The Presidents solution was
not to divide the job between
two men. but to cut it in two
and give both halves to the same
ofncial, Leon Henderson. He will
now head the Once of Price Ad-
ministration, which Is set apart
and made coordinate with S. p.
A. B. itself. But he Is also named
director of a new civilian supply
division under o. P. M.