Evening star., 1942-01-07
We'll Do IT, Industry
Pledges President
On War Production
Leaders Ask Only
Thut Materials Be
Supplied in Quantity

By the Associated Press.
20. K, Mr.. President, we'll do
IT, was the prompt and unanimous
reaction of industrial and govern
mental officials yesterday to Presi-
dent Roosevelt's call for the pro-
duction of $4,000 planes, $4,000
tanks, 10000 anti-aircraft guns and
100000 deadweight tons of ships
this year.
But most industrialists. while &C
cepting the challenge enthusiast
tically, emphasized that they would
have to be assured of the necessary
raw materials to guarantee de-
livery of the finished goods: and
some mentioned adequate tools and
cooperation of labor as well.
TT would seem that before
the Government could determine
whether or not they could receive
that number of airplanes it would
be necessary to make survey of
material sources" observed Glenn
l.. Martin, Baltimore plane manu-
facturer.
Congress Applauds Plan.
In Congress, which must vote
the appropriations and the taxes,
both Democrats and Republicans
applauded the vast production goals
and other phases of the President S
message on the state of the Union.
Wendell L. Willkie recommended,
however. th..t the President revamp
his administrative organization and
declared fatty that the goals could
not be realized under the present
setup.
I'VE can do tive will do it"
was the pledge of William S. Knud-
sen and Sidney Hillman, directors
Of the o. P. M. in a joint statement.
On the industrial front, spokes-
men for the National Association
of Manufacturers pledged full CO.
operation. The National Council OF
American Shipbuilders said that in
dustry could and would meet the
goal for ships. given constant
flow of materials. equipment and
uninterrupted service of labor
Program Called Simple"
And Henry Ford. master of mass
production, asserted that the pro-
duction goals for this year could be
achieved and that the stepping up
to greater production in l943 would
be simple"
IF we can make one tank or one
plane, we can make thousands of
them he said at Detroit. All that
is necessary in mass production IS
to get the first unit right. The rest
follow very easily and quickly. We
can put up as many production
lines as the volume requires
Alvan MacAuley. president of the
Automobile Manufacturers Associa-
ton and chairman of its recently
created Automotive Council for War
Production, said:
I'VE certainly can do it. The de-
Tense work in the main is swinging
into production. The make-ready IS
either all finished or in final stages
on many vital items and just ready
for large quantity production, l
think the public is going to be sur
prised at the amount OF war pro-
duction that will come out of the
industry this year"
Albert w. Hawkes.. president OF
the Chamber of Commerce OF the
United States, said business accepts
the call to patriotic duty.
Full Support Pledged.
He added the Chamber had
pledged Ito the President and the
United States Government the full
support of 1859 great organizations
located in every section OF the
United States involving millions OF
workers in management. The Pres
idents statement only emphasizes
the necessity of full speed ahead
in production to the limit OF the
ability of every man and woman
In the United States able to work"
Fred Maytag, jr, president OF the
Maytag Co., Newton, Iowa, washing
machine manufacturers. said his
firm lis doing and will continue
doing everything we can, and more,
too. to convert washing machine
men and equipment to defense pro-
duction." A retooling job for pro-
duction of airplane parts on a sub
contract required only one-third
the normal time. he added.
Richard S. Boutelle. general man
81 Eoirolj1I Ai,-nro Fl Corr,
plant at Hagerstown, Md. said The
employees and management of Fair
child are willing and capable of
doing any part of the job that is
AllOca ted to them"