Evening star., 1942-11-24
konpower
Continued From First Page.)

AASAtAOAAC0 IA 4CCClG ulOIlI1lS AS
ready to step in and take over war
production when and if the Nelson
regime failed. Nothing but rumors
followed the Nelson-Somerveli par
ley, but the rumors said the CONVEX
sation was direct and meaningful on
both sides.
The second conference took place
yesterday. Mr.. Nelson went to the
White House. An authorized WPB
spokesman gave the only hint of
what went on there when he was
asked If Mr.. Nelson went to offer
resignation. The hell he did, the
spokesman replied.
1t is now a week since the letters
went to Messrs Stimson and Knox
and a considerably longer time since
the discussion Of the new aircraft
program began with the Army and
the Navy. The counter-signatures
have not yet been received.
McNutt to Submit Plan.
1t Is understood that manpower
officials oppose the Selective Service
plan and that Paul v. McNutt, COM
mission chairman. planned to sub
NIT 1t to the commission at its
meeting tomorrow. Maj. Gen. Lewis
B. Hershey, the plans author, Is a
member of that group Mr.. McNutt
also plans, it is reported, to place
the proposal before his Manage
ment-Policy Committee which meets
Friday.
At the same time a source close
to the White House declared the
President may have an executive
order ready this week end which
would call for central war agency
to be headed by a civilian who
would supervise the flow of con-
tracts, materials End the labor force.
This source was emphatic that
only the White House knew the
pattern and that the mentioning of
the names OF those whom the Pres
ident might have in mind to fill
key positions in the prospective set
up was, for the present, a matter
OF pure speculation"
Ferdinand Eberstadt, WPB vice
chairman, who is said to be favored
in military circles for the top post,
was rated by the source as being an
excellent Official" However, the
naming Of Mr.. Eberstadt for the po-
sition, the source pointed out, would
mean a leap over the heads of Mr..
Nelson and Mr.. Wilson. Such might
cause those in charge of appoint
ments to hesitate, the source warned.
Brig. Gen. Frank j. McSherry, who
has been mentioned in congressional
circles as a possible choice to CO.
ordinate all manpower activities,
was regarded by this source as be-
ing "a very good man for such a po-
sition."
Mr.. McNutt was regarded by the
source to be apparently out Of the
manpower picture" but definitely
not through as q Government Of
ficial."
Gen. Somervell has made an "out-
standing record" as a procurement
officer as well as having fulfilled his
many other assignments, the source
added.
Gen. Hershey. it was reported
would be in supreme command OF
deferment of industrial workers as
well as continuing to preside over
the selective service machinery.
The source emphasized that in
total defense the Nation must plan
to fight, to win and, above all, to
survive war. A change is needed
In the civilian war structure for full
mobilization because it was held
American industry must be trans
ferred from highly competitive
economy to practically single uni
tary system.
It was held further that q general
formula Of action must be evolved to
coordinate and synchronize the mul-
tiplicity of national and interna-
tional efforts and to organize sup
ply and demand 80 that materials
and manpower can be had when
and where they are needed.
While not referring directly to the
selective service plan, Mr.. McNutt
said he was in favor Of an over.
all administration of the manpowel
program by civilians If the Nation,
domestic economy Is to be protected
Manning Tables Provided.
The selective service plan is de.
signed to supersede the War Man
power Commissions proposal which
calls for each plant In = war industry
| to prepare complete data In the
| form Of manning tables" These
tables would analyse the Job clas.
sification of each employe and BY