Evening star., 1942-02-03
War Board Studies
Machine Tool and
Copper Problems
Comprehensive Surveys
Prepared by Nelson
For Meeting Today
BY DAVID M. NICHOL,
Cnrresnnndent nf The Star and Chicl

Machine tools and copper, which
represent the two most pressing
problems in the war production pic
ture, were to be the principal items
for discussion at a meeting of the
War Production Board this after
noon. The board was expected to
explore the machine-tool industry to
determine the following:
Whether all facilities are being
worked on an around-the-clock
basis.
What improvements may be ex-
pected as a result of the industry
conversion program.
To what extent future war produc-
ton must depend on new facilities.
1t was understood that exhaustive
studies have been undertaken In the
machine-tool industry, and Chair
man Donald Nj Nelsorwa prepared
/ to lay before >the 7board-a compreS
hensive picture of this phase Of the
production program.
Copper Problems Reviewed.
The board was scheduled to devote
considerable attention also to- a rel 8
view ofathe' copper situation, witH
particular stress being placed Oh
means Of increasing domestic pro-!
duction and accelerating imports
from South America. Problems in
the copper field were explored at
some length by Mr.. Nelson in re-
port to the Senate yesterday.
At that time he warned the Sem
ate that ANY concessions" now to
relieve civilian hardships and dis
comforts caused by the belt-tighten-
ing war program may have to be
paid for later by intensified" suf-
fering and loss of life.
Detailed Report Submitted.
Mr.. Nelson sent to the Senate
a detailed report prepared by the
Office of Production Management
before it was supplanted by the
War Production Board, to show
facts regarding war materials short
ages, general priority and ALLEGATION
policies, administrative plans and
future steps to minimize economic
dislocation resulting from the war.
Although the report dealt gener-
ally with o. p. M. policies as of De-
cember IS, the primary aim reflected
in its pages is identical with that
Mr.. Nelson will follow in his new
organization. This aim was ex-
pressed as follows:
Until final victory IS achieved,
all Of this Nations vast resources of
men, materials and machines must
be directed to the production Of an
ever increasing quantity of war
materials at an ever increasing
speed. There can be no compromise
with the achievement of this OBJ
jective. Everything else is Sec
ondary to the achievement of this
purpose.
Shortage of Copper.
Using copper as a material with
which to illustrate the outlook from
military and civilian standpoints.
Mr.. Nelson pointed out that during
this year copper available after war
requirements are met will fall short
of the 1910 consumption by more
than 95 per cent, even on the basis
OF November, 1941, defense alloca-
tions.
The country consumed 1902 900
short tons Of copper in 1910, whereas
the 1912 supply should total 1,752.-
600 short tons. Yet, If COPPER al
locations during the current year
follow merely at the rate prevailing
In November-before this country's
entry in the war-it will be neces-
sary to allocate 1,708,000 tons for
war purposes.
Although details of the war pro-
gram had not been settled when the
report was written. Mr.. Nelson said
that preliminary estimates indicated
a situation much graver from the
civilian viewpoint than that indi-
Gated previously"