Milford chronicle., 1942-10-09

Wa4hlIs2A,s
EBn17dhob
JAAaES PREsroN
U. S. has wPB Chief Nelson to
thank for some semblance of bal
ance between war and civilian pro-
duction. Despite a planned M-Day
operating program which states
that Throughout the duration of
war, the nation must continue to
provide all the material items upon
which the health and well-being of
its civilian population depend. War
is no longer simply battle between
armed forces in the field"-armor-
ed forces would siphon off battle
requirements and leave civilians
standing in line for the crumbs.
AS Director Nelson kept a wealth
er eye on war and civilian "musts''
and as war material production mir
aculously doubled and trebled in
eight months, below decks termites
toyed with social experiments and
gnawed at organization founda-
tions. Some house-cleaning is in or
der and the job will be bossed by
changed man who, knowing his op-
position, will hew to the line and
ride the storm like the able cap
tain he is.
Feeling that there is still too
much fat in the national economy,
the armed forces would undertake |
a frying out" period during which
they alone would direct critical
After such a period, a
readjustment would be made to ac-
commodate civilian activities. This
is the basis of the differences be-
tween the thinking of the WPB
Chief and that of the armed SER
vices. So long as Mr.. Nelson re-
Lains his present authority over
war production, however, there is
little chance of the Army's taking
over completely. Executive orders
give him complete power and the
Army has only that which Mr.. Mel
son delegates to it.
In all probability there will be
consolidation of func-
ions in the lower WPB levels in
rider to more closely knit the ad-
set-up. Decentraliza-
ion of many functions which can
'e handled properly and expedite
'usly in field offices is likely. These
include processing of small pro-
ectsEPD-1A, and possibly the new
mali 5PRP and LUMP (Limited
lsers Metal Plan), which will pro-
1de a counterpart for regular PRP I
ut will be applicable only to firms I
sing less than $4,000 worth of /
letals quarter. The WPB Chiefs \
isposition to chop off some heads '
J being applauded by the Truman s
Committee which, with the Murray I
enate Small Business Committee, s
displeased with the execution of ?
he subcontracting program and
'atching critically every WPB
love. s
War Labor Boards future may Il
ang on the Aluminium wage case. 4
ecause WLB rejected wage in Il
-ease. workers threaten a strike n
hich the Board is trying to avert. b
!, this instance the Army might be d
sluctant to seize the plant. ..
The raw material shortage, as =
'idenced by factory shut-downs
Id emptying retail shelves, de-
ands immediate attention, even as
fiation, wage stabilization and
ice control. Outcome of the mate
al scramble will decide whether
ar manufacturers will deliver
lotas on schedule and whether ci-
lian' goods makers can stay in
lsiness. Channeling of available
Ipplies to the right place at the
ght time calls for bold action.
PB will deal with maladjustments
lie to Lend-Lease unscheduled op-
ations.
The Presidents anti-inf1ation
ueprint, being drawn up by JUS
re Rosenman,. is eagerly awaited.
ar Labor Boards basic Little
eel" formula is expected to win
t over OPA Henderson's wage
ar proposal. WLB wants single
ency to review all wage in
eases, in dispute or not. Window
essing is being set up to mollify
"A.
Sponsors of a price control sub
ly bill are seeking administra-
n support before submitting this
measure to Con-
ess. Under this bill, business men
uld have prominent roles in an
body. Subsidies that
er depress prices or dislocate dis
butive channels would be pro-
'ited. A special commercial
lrt of review and the bill would
limited to the duration" Secre- Is
y of Commerce Jones, who has
N talking with Senator Taft and
er OP9 subsidy foes, proposes a
billion dollar appropriation
permitting RFC to subsidize
ducers squeezed by price cell
s with cost-of-living cOmmodi-
! as test items. Congress is in
led to pass the ball to Jones. =
VPB now master of raw mate
IS has take nsteps to correct
Id-Lease disruptions. LII will
' line up with Army, Navy for
al rations. Army-Navy-WPB
e spot resulting from LIS pre-