Evening star., 1941-03-17
Aid to British Means
Increase in Mun-Hours
Of Work, He Warns
SPEEDY APPROVAL SEEN for
British aid outlay. Page Az
BY JAMES FREE.

IecCOr OF prOQuCC1On, SAID today that
the seven-billion-dollar British aio
program will require an increase OF
fully so per cent In the Nations in
dustrial activity.
Speaking at the opening of a two
day conference of rs leading indus
trialists and labor leaders in metal
trades, meeting in the Departmental
Auditorium to study in-plant labor
training problems, the director gen.
eral of the Office of Production
Management said:
"The amount of work we will
have to do will increase appreciably
with the enlarged leaSe-lend pro-
gram. We had figured that we had
to do about 18 billion man-hours of
work in defense production. We
know now that we can figure on
an increase of more than 60 per
cent on top of that"
Mr. Knudsen's revised calculation
would put the total of man-hours
labor required to 28,8oo,oOO,o 900.
Information Desired.
Pointing out that the best kind
OF training man can get he gets
IN the shop where he's got a lob"
Mr.. Knudsen told metal trades ex-
perts: I'VE didn't ask you to come
here to tell you what to do; we
want you to tell us what you can
do, what we are to do"
His associate director of the O.
P. M, Sidney Hillman, compli-
mented those attending the confer
ence on the splendid cooperation"
they have given already in the in
plant training program, but warned
that "even our best efforts may not
be good enough for the require
mentS of the situation"
He expressed confidence in the
ability of management and labor,
working with the aid of Govern
ment, to meet major needs "if we
do the best we can"
"We must demonstrate" asserted
Mr.. Hillman, that under demo-
cratic process we can do this Job
better than it is being done under
coercion in totalitarian nations"
Mr.. Knudsen drew laughter in an
earlier reference to the relationship
of Mr.. Hillman and himself
"We are couple of Siamese
twins" he said, smiling. We've been
kidded about it a lot. But as long
as we're satisfied everybody else
ought to be-"
Magnitude of Plans Stressed.
Both impressed on the conference
the magnitude of the industrial and
labor training program that must be
carried out.
I'VE have got to 60 into produc-
ton in America on a scale that has
never even been approached BEFORE"
said Mr.. Knudsen.
TT Is necessary" said Mr.. Hill
man, that we give ourselves with
out reservations to the task that
Is before U.s."
Mr.. Knudsen told the metal trades
men that the conference was de-
signed to find out If anything is
retarding this in-plant training
program" He emphasized the part
that experience and ability play
In fast production. There is in
the skilled mechanic a knowledge
that isn't in textbook" he said.
Accuracy of workmanship is an
important factor in speeding up de-
tense production, Mr.. Knudsen de-
clared. I'VE can turn out a lot
more" he explained, when we
don't have to do things more than
once"
The present emergency, he con-
tinued, is such that usual methods
OF training skilled workers over a
period of three or four years can
not be followed.
Mr.. Knudsen described his first
experiences with American industry
back in the early 1900s. my first
he said, twas an Irishman
who couldn't read. But he could
show me lot"
The progress of American indus
try, he said, has been due to i'm
provement in the use of manpoWer
as well as improvements in ma
chimes.
Secretary of Labor Perkins, who
took over the duties of presiding of
f1cer after Mr.. Knudsen had opened
the meeting and introduced Mr..
Hillman, asserted that shortages of |
skilled workers probably would show
up most in few vital industries. |
notably machine tool making, ship
building and airplane and airplane |
engine manufacturing.
Defense Bo0ms EMPLOYMENT.
A. F. Hinrichs, acting commits
sloner OF the Bureau of Labor Sta
tlstics. told the conference that more |
than 100000 men were affected by
selective service or expanding de-
tense industry last year.
In January, he said, thirty-siX and
D third million men were engaged
N gainful occupations in the United
States. This was 100000 more
than in January, 1929, he added,
and 100000 more than in the peak
month of recent years-August, 1887.
That January employment figure,
incidentally, is the highest for any
january in our history" Mr.. Hen
F1chs commented.
Miss Perkins named several spe-
(See DEFENSE, Page A-4.)