Evening star., 1942-04-24
War Production Is Doing Well,
President Declares, With Hint
Goals May Be Expanded Further
ShipbuiIding Log Due
To Steel Shortage,
Executive Asserts
By JOHN G. HENRY.

am IL WUEku1R OuL cALIttic
ly well, President Roosevelt told
q press conference today, ano
indicated that the present tre-
mendous goals might be ex.
panded further, despite opinion
last January they were fantastic
Shortly after the Presidents re-
marks. new figures on war spend
ing came from Budget Director
Harold d. Smith. who reported that
the program had been speeded uI
to an estimated $28 600, 900 900 this
fiscal year and to $4,000, 900 900 In
the next fiscal year beginning July l
Attributing these revised figures
to a tter-than-expected rate OF
war production. Mr.. Smith said they
compared with previous estimates
of s26, 600. 900 900 for the current
fiscal year, which ends June 80. and
$50. .0O0. 600 600 for the next year.
The President was asked in con-
nection with the war program
whether he thought steel plants now
being built or expanded would raise
capacity suficiently to meet all re-
No, he replied, he couldn't say
that. because there might be another
program by the time the expansions
and new plants are completed.
In his annual message to Con-
eress January the President set
forth a schedule calling for produc-
ton In 1912 and 1943 of 10000
planes, I20, 900 tanks. SIS 900 anti-air-
craft guns and $1,000 900 tons Of
commercial shipping.
Shipbuilding Lags.
Acknowledging that shipbuilding
currently is the laggard portion Of
the program, Mr.. Roosevelt declared
shortage of steel is the reason. In
his opinion, the Chief Executive
added, one cause for this shortage Is
an excessive diversion of steel to
civilian needs.
Commenting on assertions by Ad-
miral Emory S. Land. war shipping
administrator. that there has been
damaging 'loafing" in the shipyards.
Mr.. Roosevelt said this charge should
prove a good burr under the tail Tor
both labor and management.
Actually. the President went on,
he does not believe that loaf1ng has
been responsible for any great per-
centage in the shipbuilding lag.
Admittedly. he added, this element
might figure to q higher degree in
individual plants, but that as gen.
eral accusation he does not con-
slider 1t of great Importance.
On the subject of steel shortage,
which he described as unquestion-
ably a primary reason for construc-
ton DELAYS, the President said ship
ping plate has not been coming
through nearly as fast as 1t should
Requirements Rising Steadily.
To meet this requirement, he said
that many plants are being ex-
panded. some new ones built and
others converted to meet shipbuild-
ing needs. He emphasized. however,
that both the Maritime Commission
and the Navy Department have
been steadily and sharply increas-
ing their programmed requirements
Asked II any steps are imminent
to revitahze the ship construction
program, the President said many
minds are now working on the prob
lem again. evidently referring to the
steel proGsem. Again, evidently re-
ferring to the steel factor. he re-
minded the conference that bread
cannot be made without flour.
Informed that some quarters have
complained that steel priorities
have been given for other than
shipbuiloing needs, the Chief Ex-
ecutive remarled that each consum-
ing interest of steel would be most
anxious to have its own needs met
II was at this point that he ex-
pressed his own opinion that civilian
use has been given too much con-
sideration, but he added that pri-
ority officials insisted this TO be not
true.
The President, during questioning
said he did not believe there was any
serious steel scrap shortage in this
country. He referred to great guam
titles of steel rail and abandoned
farm machinery as two important
sources. AS an example, he said he
had discovered a quantity of old
farm machinery in dump on his
own property in Hyde Park, N. Y
To a suggestion by reporter that
W. P. A. labor might be employed
m salvaging old steel. particularly
abandoned rails, Mr., Roosevelt gave
his approval and said he would pass
the idea along.
Spending Increasing Rapidly.
Mr.. Smith said. at press con.
ference on budget items. that weekly
cash OUTLAWS for war already have
increased from s4o9 .oo0, 900 in the
week of Pearl Harbor to $500 900 .o0C
per week.
This month war will cost $1,000. :
ooo. 900. In June, he said, it will cost
o., 500 .00o. .ooo and by September
monthly costs viii be about SIS 600. :
100000 per month and still goins
up"
Considering non-war expenditures
and other factors, Mr.. Smith point.
ed out that existing tax laws woulC
fan short of financing the Treasury
in the next fiscal year by S56 -223,.
600 900. He explained that the fig,
ures he announced today were pre-.
pared especially at the request o.
the House Ways and Means Com.
natttee, which is studying the Treas.
uFy's request for s7.6oo. .ooo. 900 o.
additional taxes.