Evening star., 1942-11-01

but q few items In favor Of q more
direct form Of allocations in which
materials will be doled out on an
end-product basis. For example, In
stead of issuing large number of
priorities ratings for production of
airplanes and allowing firms to grab
for supplies. materials for produc-
ing specific numbers Of planes will
be allotted manufacturers.
Covers All Vital Programs.
The plan, it was said, places all
materials, for civilian as well as
military production, into one large
"pie," and provides for careful cut
ting so that no vital individual pro-
gram, whether it involves making
planes for the Army OF, clothes for
civilians. will be neglected.
In his production report, Mr..
Nelson said acceptances in Septem-
ber of all heavy tactical planes in
creased substantially. Four r-engined
bombers rolled of assembly lines
very nearly on schedule. The numer-
ical increase in plane output was
small, Mr.. Nelson said, because the
increase in large combat craft was
accompanied by a decrease of light
planes, especially trainers.
Propeller production continues to
present a serious problem" Mr.. Mel
son added. plane construction may
increase in the months ahead more
rapidly than propeller production,
unless propeller output can be
greatly increased. Thus far, how
ever, enough propellers have been
made to fly all planes"
Mr.. Nelson added that methods
Of producing aircraft in mass have
been greatly improved. Many engi-
neering difficulties have been over
come. Skills of new workers are
being improved and the training
program is proceeding well.
Produce More Quickly.
Some aircraft plants which have
come into production recently are
making unusually good showings-
much better than early experience
led us to believe" Mr.. Nelson said.
The time required to bring new
plants into production from the date
factory construction starts has been
cut down greatly since the begin
ming of the war effort, he continued.
Mr.. Nelson described ordnance
production as continuing to move
slowly" and "unevenly." Tank pro-
duction was up 3 per cent while tank
guns were being made ahead of
schedule. He added that "Septem-
Der was good month for anti-air-
craft gun output"
Manufacture of ammunition for
various types of guns was described
as "spotty" with excellent records
being made in some areas and
disappointing results reported in
others.
Twelve major combat vessels were
launched in September, the WPB
chairman reported, while actual de-
livery of heavy ships was greater
than forecast He added, however,
that deliveries of other types of
naval vessels did not measure up
to expectations
Perhaps the brightest picture was
presented by merchant ships. Mr..
Nelson said that while construction
of the vessels increased 10 per cent
measured by value of new fabrica-
ton in shipyards, it rose "a per
cent gagged by tonnage of vessels
delivered. This was IL per cent
above forecasts made September i
90 Ships Go in Service.
Actually placed in service in the
month were 90 merchant ships, q
4 more than the previous top month
July. Deadweight tonnage exceeded
a million tons, while production
approached the output of all Ameri-
can shipyards for all of 1941.
Production of machine tools was
another bright spot of the report
with the September output reached
valuation Of $4,000, 900, a gair
of "a per cent over August. Mr.
Nelson said that for the first time
the production of machine tool'
was higher than new orders, ane
that the backlog of orders "is being
worked off," He added that sthi!
trend was likely to continues ir
sharp contrast to early war program
days when tools were a principa
bottleneck.
Mr.. Nelson said Government
financed construction for war pur
poses totaled $1.540 100000. a Sigh
drop from August, the peak month
He noted that construction may b.