The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-01-16
THE
WASHINGTON
SCENE
By HENRY ION

, In President Roosevelt's two mes
sages to congress-his annual mes
sage on January 6 and his bulge
message on January 7-conversion o
the nations industries to production
of war materials constituted the mai1
theme.
Both message stressed the necessity
4 of guns and planes and tanks an(
ships in beating Hitler and his allies
and both of them emphasized the nee
essity Of turning all productive facil
titles to that end.
In this he has the whole-hearted
support of labor. 1t Is doubtful
whether as much can be said for in
dustry.
For over a year representatives OF
the CLIO and the ALL have been beat.
ing on the doors of government Of
fices urging the conversion of the ma
tion's industries to war production
and suggesting ways in which such
conversion might be accomplished.
Until few days ago representa-
tives of industry have been as stoutly
opposing such plans. They said it
wasn't necessary, it couldn' be done,
it would spell disaster in the years
after the war. They had plain ex-
cuses and fancy excuses all of which
added up to a simple mo-.
The desire of industry was to keep
up production of civilian goods, for
which there was an expanding mar
ket, as long as the supply of materials
held out. Then the job Of producing
war materials could be tackled
In his two hour press conference
on the budget the President told re-
porters that only 25@o of the naion's
steel output was being used for war
materials at the beginning Of last
year, that the figure was raised to
800 at the end of the year while
England is using 1870 Of her steel
output for war articles.
So strong was this feeling on the
part of industry that it even crept
into an indignant ad published by the
auto manufacturers association re-
Gently.
"The government has far more work
ahead" they said, work that must
be done by our industry if it is to be
done at all and 1t is to be done in
time"
In his budget message the President
called for expenditure of $56,0O0,OO0,-
~, fha of til,
starts July 1, 1912. 'These estimates
he said, reflect our determination to
devote at least one-half of our nation
al production to the war effort"
1t was noted that the treasury
counts on about s24,000,OOO,OOO in
taxes, including an additional $1,000
100000 in new taxes to be proposed. |
when so many Americans are con-
tributing all their energies and even
their lives to the nations great task"
the message read, II am confident |
that all Americans will be proud to
contribute their utmost in taxes.
Until this job is done, until his war
is won, we will no talk of burdens"
The recent auto conference held by
the OPM raises the question as to
what the auto industry has given up,
what it's contributions are.
C. E. Wilson, General Motors presi-
dent, presumably spoke for the in
1ustry. He asked permission to con-
-inue manufacture of cars until parts
are used up, wider leeway in adding
Increased material and labor costs to
be- paid by the government, liberali-
zation OF tax laws, and stronger COM
nitments from the government in adj
rance of contracts.
The conference did not provide for
pooling of productive facilities. 1t
lid not agree to be bound by the
of committee
which was established. It did not
gree to do anything except bow to
he fact that materials for the manu- I.
azure of cars are no longer available.
Talk of $4,000 airplanes year and 9
5000 tanks will be pretty much talk /.
lnless labor is given voice in the :
PRODUCTION of these implements. In
ustry has thus far seemed willing to
reduce these articles only when con-
for industry.
Labor's organizations have made :
heir record. They have shown, con-
retely and specifically, how the job
an be done and have evidenced a
villingness to make the sacrifices in
obs that are required. Industry's
ecord can be read only in the profit
0lumnS of the financial ma uor