The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1941-03-13
(By Staff Writer)

having caused a loss of over 2OO,-
= 600 man-days of defense labor
during the month of FEBRUARY,
remedial plans are flying thick
and fast here.
The most popular plan at the
moment is the one offered by Will
liam S. Knudsen chief of the Of
flee of Production Management
(known these days as the OPM),
which would require a 4O-day
cooling off, period between the
time that a strike was planned
and the time that the men actual
ly stopped work.
This would give employers and
government mediators an oppor-
tunity to settle difficulties before
anv threatened action would be
carried out.
This plan is similar to the me-
diation system which worked sue
cessfully during the World War;
the revival of which has been
urged by Robert P. Patterson,
undersecretary of war.
The house judiciary committee
is considering all plans which
have been suggested for ending
strikes but is believed to favor a
test of the Knudsen plan before
considering any emergency legis-
lation which would give the gov
eminent compulsory regulatory
powers over industry and work
erS.
The administration has repu-
tation for giving labor every
break possible, but it wants moth
ing to interfere with the defense
program and also wants to cur
tail growing irritation throughout
the nation over strikes in vital
industries.
Planes or Ships
Former Ambassador to France,
William c. Bullitt, has created a
stir here with his statement en-
phasizing that Britain's only
chance depends on her gaining
supremacy of the air and that
American planes are needed to
make supremacy possibility.
Military strategists in Washing
ton, who agree with Mr.. Bullitt,
believe that Hitler's speech, IN
which he announced plans to con-
centrate on attacking British
ships, was aimed at diverting at
tention from the production OF
planes to the production of ships.
Those who hold that opinion
point out that Hitler is still hop
ing for a short war, that ships
take a long time to build, and that
he would therefore consider it to
his advantage to have the United
States devoting its efforts to ships
rather than to rapid production
of planes.
Talk Is Plenty
Meanwhile, administration lead
ers have been champing at the
bit waiting for approval of the
lend-lease bill as their signal to
start racing supplies to Great
Britain. They are showing
marked irritation over the long
debate which has delayed pas
sage of the measure.
Practically assured of passage
over a month ago., supporters OF
the lend-lease bill see no need for
so much speech-making and con-
slider each day of delay to be a
victory for the Axis powers. OPP
ponents of the measure, although
right along admitting its pro-
bab1e passage, hold to their con-
tention that the bill is of too
much Importance to the future
of the country to be rushed
through.
They also have felt that some
thing might happen to change
public opinion and that delay
might by some miracle, prevent
passage.
A fire-side chat by the Presi-
dent is expected soon to crystal
lie public opinion, more than
ever, in favor of maximum help
to Britain.
Tax Returns Heavier
Paying for the defense program
is still major problem and now
that income tax reports for this
year are about in, revenue meas
ures will be rushed through.
There is no doubt that everyone
will have to pay more taxes. Tax
es on small incomes will be in
creased and taxes on defense in
dustries will probably be worked
out to avoid all possibility Of
war profiteering.
A major campaign is expected
to be started soon to sell govern
ment bonds and war saving
stamps to the public. Although
not more than a small fraction
of our huge defense expenses can
be betrayed in this way, the gov