Evening star., 1942-09-20

friendly and cooperative manner Gen.
George Marshall works with Admiral
Ernest King in Washington.
But this is not the case. Gen. Mac
Arthur is said to have as little to do with
Admiral Ghormley as he has to do with
Admiral Royal Ingersoll, who commands
the Atlantic forces. There have been
instances when he was told what has
happened in the New Zealand area after
it has happened. Naturally such situa-
ton is not conducive to close co-opera-
ton
There may be some sound reasons why
such divided command exists in one
area But they have never been fully
explained. The result is a whispering
campaign saying that some unexplain-
able jealousies in Washington are at the
bottom of this situation. These rumors
gain credence when word is passed from
some high circles that, after all, Gen.
Macarthur has not been so "hot" in the
Philippines and that his tremendous
prestige here and abroad is due princi-
pally to well-organized publicity cam
paign.
The administration in turn complains
officially and privately that the country
Is lackadaisical and unaware of the
| dangers and difficulties ahead.
bordering on Chaotic"
But while military strategy must be
kept secret lest the enemy be forewarned
as to our next moves, the lack Of FORE
| sight of those responsible for the indus
trial war effort is being kept secret from
the Nation. Persons who display a pa
| thetic lack of understanding Of war
| problems are still in key positions.
The report of the Rubber Committee
headed by Bernard Baruch is revealing
THE committee" the report said, has
found many evidences of procedures bor-
| dering on the chaotic in which nom
| technical men have made decisions with
| out consulting with subordinates nomi-
nally in the positions of responsibility.
| The word chaotic" could be applied to
| many more situations in war produc-
| ton.
Uncle Sam can be likened to rich
and is making desperate efforts to con-
ceal the fact from his family. Although
his bank balance has shrunk and his
commitments are heavier than he can
bear, he keeps several cars, gives his
debutante daughter grand party and
sends his sons to expensive colleges.
The father may have many sleepless
nights, not knowing how to make ends
meet. Only occasionally does he warn
u hill <1 II
things arc pretty difficult just now"
| His reluctance to curb the spending of
his family arises principally from the
| fact that he does not know his own peo-
| pie well enough and does not believe
that the children would willingly give
up their luxuries and 60 to work If they
only knew how bad off their father was.
similar relationship seems to exist
between Uncle Sam and his children.
We are being warned to curb spending,
buy bonds and pay taxes. But no one in
the administration has so far told us in
concrete and blunt manner what is
ahead of U.S. Members of President
Roosevelts official family have told us
that we would have rubber galore in a
short time, when the few who were
really familiar with the problem knew
that we could not get it unless we pro-
ceeded with the production of synthetic
rubber at once, meanwhile drastically
curtailing all non essential motoring.
The suggestion made in some quarters
that the President, who has extensive
war powers, simply order off the road all
automobiles not actually engaged in the
war effort was rejected for fear that it
might affect the morale of this auto
mobile minded Nation.
Shortage Shock.
Such action carried out without fur.
ther explanation would unquestionably
cause serious grumbling. But if the ad.
ministration reiterated what the Barucf
Committee stated in plain language, thai
(See BROWN, Page B-3)