Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1942-01-23
DON M. NELSON
APPOINTED BY
THE PRESIDENT

executive and more recently EXecu-
tive Director of SPAB and Priorities
Director. The President directed Mr..
Nelson to exercise general direction
over the war procurement and pro-
duction program" to supervise the
OPM and issue production and pro-
curement directives where necessary
to all other Government agencies.
The President said Mr.. Nelson's de-
cisions shall be final. Vice President
Wallace and other members of the
SPAB, now abolished, were made
members of the War Production
Board.
In letters to OPM Directors Knud-
sen and Hillman and other production
officials, Mr.. Nelson said 1--WE must
enlarge all our previous activities
all our facilities must produce "a
hours a day, 1913 hours a week" OPM
Director Hillman, speaking in Wash
ington, said the nations force of
workers in war industries must be
doubled or tripled, more women must
be trained and brought into the labor
force to take the place of men going
into the armed services. He asked
employers not to bar aliens in war
industries except in plants turning
out secret weapons.
Director Odlum of the OPM Con-
tract Distribution Division said plan
has been prepared to set aside one
percent of all available materials to
assist small manufacturers in keep
ing their plants going until they can
be converted to war use. He said the
nations entire production facilities
all of those hidden away in thou
sands of cities and towns and villag-
es"-must join in the total war eff
fort He asked all mayors to have
every manufacturer in their cities
register at the nearest OPM Contract
Distribution Division field office and
to ego after war contracts with ev
cry ounce Of ingenuity and energy
they possess"
The Navy Department reported the
sinking of five enemy vessels in Far
Eastern waters-three transports and
two large cargo ships. The announce
ment brought to 25 the total of Jap
anese vessels reported definitely sunk
by the Navy and Marine Corps in the
Pacific. The Navy also announced
two allied merchant vessels were at
tackled by Axis submarines off Long
Island. Throughout the week Gen.
Macarthur reported heavy land and
air fighting in the Philippines but
said American and Philippine troops
we're putting up effective resistance
and U. S. losses were low.
War Secretary Stimson announced
the Army will be increased from the
present total of 10000 men to 3d.
100000 men this year. Combat air
units and armored units will be doub-
led;. 80 MOTORIZED divisions will be adj
ded, and at least so more military po-
lice units for guarding production ia
cilities will be created. Instead of the
originally scheduled 10000, more than
10000, privates will be selected to at
tend officer training schools. All
training centers and posts will be en-
larged and five temporary tent camps
will be set up. To make 100000 more
men eligible, the Army will lower age
limits for aviation cadets from 20 to
18 years, make married men eligible,
and change educational qualifications
by eliminating college credit require
ments.
Selective Service Director Hershey
said the Army increase could be ac-
complished without calling up men
with dependents. He said there are
now 100000 men in class la but
not yet called, and 100000 more men
can be obtained by Redistribution of
other men arid from those men who
will register February 16. He said
deferment cases would be reexamined
but defermentS will continue to be
given where possible to avoid undue
disruption of family life. He said
married men with one or more child
rem probably will not be called until
an Army of 100000 to 100000 has
been built. He estimated 100000
is the top number of men the u. S.
could mobilize for service even with
Iouarad YohvcicaI ctandardc
The President abolished the Nation
al Defense Mediation Board and es-
tablished National War Labor
Board with NDMB Chairman Davis
as Chairman. Four commissioners
will represent the public, four will re-
present employees and four, industry.
The new Board has wider authority
than the old Board and can arbitrate