Evening star., 1941-02-19
Roosevelt Appoints
Hartman 10 Expedite
Lease-Le Program
Defense Officiut to Work
In London With Winunt
TO Supply British Needs
By JOHN c. HENRY.

Moving swiftly to ever-increasing
collaboration with Britain. the
United States Governpent is build
ing up highly skilled and versatile
group of representative and Oh
servers In the real front lines" of
this war.
Latest named is w. Averell Har-
riman, fnancier and businessman,
who was chosen yesterday by Presi-
dent Roosevelt to serve in London
as "expediter" Of the program for
leasing and lending war materiel to
the British.
In this capacity, it is expected Mr..
Hartman will work closely with
John G. Winant, newly y-appointed
Ambassador to the London govern
ment, and Benjamin Cohen, who
has been directed to accompany Mr.,
Winant as special legal adviser.
Primarily. of course. Mr.. Hartman
will concern himself with studying
British needs in the way of ma
teriel and advising with them on the
capacity of American industry to
meet these needs most effectively
and expeditiously.
To Have Other Duties, Too.
To keep his own knowledge of
American production abilities up
to date, Mr.. Hartman, who plans to
leave for England in about two
weeks. will return in three or four
months for a 'refreSher" study of
industry. At the same time, he will
be able to bring to American in
duStry latest information on Brit
aims own manufacturing develop
mentS.
This part of Mr. Harriman's task.
incidentally, will approach the more
comprehensive study and exchange
of information to be undertaken by
the special scientific research mis-
sion. headed by Dr. James B. Conant
of Harvard University, which sailed
for England Saturday.
The decision to add MI. Harri-
man to the growing list of American
representatives in Britain-special
military and naval observers also
have been assigned through recent
months-was made after the PreSi-
dent had discussed the problem of
American British collaboration with
Harry l. Hopkins. Just returned
from a special survey for the Chief
Executive.
Man of Varied Interests.
Mr.. Hartman at present is chief
of the Materials Division of the
ONCE of Production Management.
A man of varied interests and ac-
compliShments ne has been an in
ternational polo player rowing
coach, a dog trainer Wall Street
broker. an officer of two large rail-
roads and a steamship company, a
deputy administrator of the N. R. A,
and chairman of the Business Ad-
visory Council of the Department of
Commerce.
Today, the President was to dis
cuss one of the Nations foremost
production matters. that of turning
out sufficient steel for ornaments,
with the two ranking officers of
United States Steel Corp. Scheduled
to visit the White House were Ben
jarin F. FairleSs and Irving S. Olds,
president and board chairman. re-
spectively, of the country's largest
steel firm.
Later. Mr. Roosevelt was to dis
cuss other phases Of defense produc-
ton with William S. KnudSen, di-
rector of the once of Production
Management.
Every British Order Scheduled.
With principal emphasis of the
moment on making every advance
preparation to apply the lease-lend
program as soon as Congress records
its approval. the President disclosed
yesterday that a master sheet has
been prepared showing every Amer
lean and British war order, date OF
expected delivery on each, antlci-
pated American orders nd esti-
mated British needs. On the basis
of this constantly available picture,
prioritieS and possible transfers
under the lease-lend plan may be
arranged with a minimum of delay.
The Chief Executive also informed
his press conference late Yesterday
that a program of home defense is
being prepared for public considera-
ton in a week or two.
Seeking to decentralize this effort
as much as possible the President
said the program will contain sug-
eestions as to how men and women
rot qualified for front line" emer-
eency duty can do their part.