The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1942-04-30
By STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Washington, D. C.-The trea-
sury department, which until
now has tried to sell war bonds
and stamps without putting on
much pressure, is beginning this
week a drive to get every one on
a payroll to pledge a minimum
of 10 per cent of income for the
purchase of bonds.
This move followed the reve-
lation that there has been a sharp
falling off in the purchase OF
bonds recently. During the month
of January approximately $1,OOO
100000 in bonds was purchased
but now the rate is said to have
dropped to $5O0,000,000 month
"a decrease of SO per cent.
Secretary Morgenthau h a S
therefore instructed 108,044 mem
bers of war savings bonds COM
mittees in 1910 counties to be-
gin Immediately to ring every
doorbell in an effort to get pledges
for regular purchases. 1t is intlm-
ated that unless this voluntary
plan works, a compulsory plan
will have to be instituted.
att is our plan" said the sec
rotary of treasury, ito reach
every person in the United States
who receives an income Of any
sort, and to reach him as quick
ly as possible" He admitted that
some people, because of unusual
circumstances, may not be able
to pledge 10 per cent of income
but said that others should be
able to pledge more than that
amount.
Financing of our huge war ex-
penditure is becoming increasing
" difficult, due in part to the
postponement of congress in TAX
ing any new action on taxes. One
congressman has said that he is
willing to wager that the Presl-
dent will get no new tax bill to
sign until after the November
election, even though the treas
ury has made urgent demands
upon congress for new taxes am
bunting to at least $780, 100000
and wanted part of the new taxes
to be collected this year in the
form of payroll deductions. Be-
cause it is an election year, con-
gressmen are clearly trying to
avoid tax legislation and are also
shying away from the many
measures which face them regard
ing control over labor, wages and
profits.
On the labor problem there is
clearly a wide divergence Of OPP
inion, some feeling that legislation
curling labor's rights would in
crease production difficulties
while Others feel it is necessary
TO prevent any future strikes or
continued demands for higher
wages.
That production has increased
greatly this year is unquestion-
bale. Donald Nelson, head Of the
War Production board, has pre-
dicted that by the end Of the year
this country will have overcome
the reserve built up by the axis
nations during the last decade.
eve have not yet won our battle
of production, 'he said, "but I
honestly believe we have passed
the turning point"
Lieut.. Gen. William S. Knud-
sen, production head Of the war
department, echoed Mr.. Nelson's
statement after a recent inspect
ion tour when he said: "Our out
put has gone up every month
Since Pearl Harbor and we have
more plants coming into product
ion every day. Every machine
tool factory I was working three
shifts, seven days a week"
The War Production board took
an unprecented action when it
accused two leading steel compa-
MES of violation of priority reg
ulations and asked the department
of justice to take appropriate ac-
ton. The complaints said that
"the violations cited resulted in
diversion by the two companies
to thier private customers of large
quantities of critically needed
iron and steel at the expense OF
the needs of the armed forces and
tn maritime commission"
Although the charges have been
denied by the companies concern
ed, whether they are true or not
they stand as a clear warning to
others engaged in war production
that there is to be mo foollng
with priority regulations.
Meanwhile, DR.. John R. Steel
man, director of the United States
Cancellation Service, states that
management and labor are both
doing a remarkable job. "Labor's
and arrangements pledge of full
ro-oneration and continuous pro-