Evening star., 1942-01-21

tribution. which was headed by
Floyd B. Odlum.
Mr. Nelson said, however. that
Mr.. Odlum would remain with his
organization in the capacity OF a
special adviser in foreign and do
nestic problems relating to the war.
Th7 w. P B. chairman said Mr..
Odlum. himself, had recommended
that contract distribution be made
the responsibility of the Production
Division.
To Spread Production Job.
In this connection. Mr.. Nelson
had an encouraging word for small
business. In answer to question,
he said his organization would start
out with the assumption that the
war production job must be spread
out in every way possible, provided
the speed of the program Is not
hampered.
Il am convinced that not as many
(small businesses, are going to get
a squeeze e-out' as think they are,
Mr.. Nelson said. Il have always
felt that We must get a greater dis
tribution Of contracts. We
must do this job on sound eco
nomic basis. so that when this thing
is over We can pick up our economy
with the least amount of read
justment.'
Mr.. Nelson named as head of the
civilian supply division Price Ad-
mnistrator Leon Henderson. Asked
whether he believed Mr.. Henderson
would be able to handle both jobs
or whether there may be some FIJI
ture adjustment to eliminate his
dual capacity, Mr.. Nelson replied:
Il think Leon Henderson is man
of infinite capacity, and I mean
that literally"
o. P. a. Keeps Rationing.
MIR. Nelson said that rationing of
various commodities would continue
to be handled by the Office of Price
Administration.
Sidney Hillman, associate director
general Of the O. P. NJ. was ap-
pointed by Mr.. Nelson to head tire
labor division, and Douglas Mac
keachie was named head of the
purchases division, a post similar
to that which he held under o. P. M.
Mr.. Nelson said he wanted to see
1t. Gen. William S. Knudsen. for
mer o. P. M director general. re-
nam a member of the w. P. B..
along with MIR. Hillman. They were
members OF the now abolished Sup
ply Prlorlties and Alloca tions Board
as co-heads of the o. P. NJ. and, as
such, automatically became men,
bers of the w. P. B.
In view of the abolition of the
o. P M. Mr.. Nelson SAID it NAV
require an amendment to have them
as w. P. B. members, but that if
Such were necessary he intended
seeing that it was done.
L have a great and sincere re-
spect for Mr KnuGsen's knowledge
Of production and I feel his services
would be invaluable on this board. 3"
Mr.. Nelson said.
Planning Division Not Executive.
MI Nelson later pointed out that
Gen. knu6sen. as chief production
man for the Army. would work IN
close touch with Mr.. Harrison's Pro-
duction Division
Mr.. Nelson said he wanted his
Planning Division stated with peo-
pie who are thinking all the time a.
to how the production picture car
be improved He said this division
would have 10 administrative capac-
ity, but simply would make recon-
mendations.
The planning agency would work
In close touch with a Progress Re-
porting Division, headed by Stacy
May. director of the Bureau of Re-
search and Statistics Mr.. May S
division would report directly to the
w. P. B. chairman. Mr.. May also
would serve as head of a Statistics
Division within the new organiza-
ton.
O'Brian Heads Legal Staff.
Other divisions within the Struc-
ture of the w. P. B. will include a
legal staff. headed by John Lord
O'Brian; administrative personnel,
under James A. Robinson, and an
information agency, headed by
Robert w. Horton. Herbert En-