Evening star., 1942-02-18
Delay on Joint Board
For War Production
Causing Concern
No Chonce for Action
Seen Until ChurchiII's E
Political Troubles End
BY BLAIR BOLLES.

At time when most of the Allied
military difficulties are traced to in
adequate supplies of factory-made
war goods, United Nations leaders
here are growing impatient over the
protraction of Prime Minister
Churchill's political troubles in
England, because they prevent ac-
ton on the Allied plan for pooling
the industrial capacities of the
anti-Axis countries, 1t was learned
today.
The Joint Anglo-American STRAIT
egy board presided over by Presi-
dent Roosevelt and Field Marshal
Sir John Dill has found itself Sc
verely handicapped by the paucity
of weapons in making plans for bat
tie. The idea behind formation of
this Joint stratsgy board was that
it would outline the grand war plan
and then direct distribution of
weapons in accordance with the
plan.
Its operations of necessity have
been based on just the opposite
philosophy 1t is told what weapons
exist and then decides what battle
regions need them most.
Hitch in Soviet Aid.
Tis inverted approach to the anti
Axis war repeatedly has been pri-
mary hitch in the fulfillment of
the program for aid to Russia,
which President Roosevelt said at
his press conference yesterday
would be fulfilled on March l. 1t
also. in combination with shipping
difficulties, has hindered the meet
ing of requirements in the southern
Pacific for airplanes to combat
the Japanese advance.
The overall plan for cooperation
worked out here by Mr.. Roosevelt
and Mr.. Churchill called for five
joint boards dealing with strategy,
the gathering of raw materials, the
assignment of munitions, shipping
and production.
The joint production has not been
established, although the other four
are operating. Production, how
ever. is the key to the whole war
plan.
For the moment there is only
surface coordination of the war
production of the United States,
England, Canada, India and the
other producing regions, into which
Washington and London expect
South American countries, notably
Brazil. ultimately to be drawn. Eng
land is still making more shell
cases than shells, while the United
States makes more shells than shell
cases. Proper coordination, it is
said, would remedy such a situation.
Donald Nelson, head of the Amer
ican War Production Board. is
urging the joint boards immediate
establishment.
Early Action Held Unlikely.
However. persons close to the
Allied supply problem see no pros
poets of the joint boards establish
ment until Mr.. Churchill once more
Is in position to give his attention
to the foreign aspect of the English
war effort. His home problem now
occupies him almost completely.
The original conception of the
joint board was that Lord Beaver
brook. now English Minister of
Production, would be represented on
it with Mr. Nelson But the cry in
London over Mr. Beaverbrook's fire.
quent absences from England, visit
ing Russia and the United States,
has made this appointment political
ly ineXpedient for the time being, it
is learned. Some change in Lord
Beaverbrook's status in domestic
affairs will be required before he
can hold a place on the Joint |
Production Board. it is said here.
Lord Beaverbrooks's problem in
London has its reflection on Four
teenth street here, where the Brit
ish Purchasing Commission has its
Offices. The commission is going
ahead with only an acting director
general, Edward Taylor, who takes
the place of Sir Give Ballieu Bal
lieu and William Bait are the heads
of the Joint Raw Materials Board.
Mr.. Taylor is president of the Brit
ish Supply Council, and is holding
also the Purchasing Commission |
post until Lord Beaverbrook is in a
position to name a permanent di-
rector general.
The degree of cooperation which
has been set up is resulting in a
more efficient distribution of |
Americas war production, however,
1t is learned. Release of weapons
by our Army and Navy Department |
is increasing and efficiency of the !
Lease-Lend Administration has
been improved by the recent ap-
pointment of c. E. Terrell it's acting
director.