Evening star., 1942-12-07
Nelson Disappointed
By Arms Output
In October
Comedies, However, 1t
Exceeded TotuI Axis
Production Figures
BY JAMES Y. NEWTON.


American production of NUM-
tions in October was "disappoint-
ing" with the output of air.
planes and merchant vessels be-
low September and the produc-
tion of ordnance, Navy and Army
vessels and miscellaneous items
showing slight improvement,
Chairman Donald M. Nelson of
the War Production Board an
nounced today in his monthly
progress report.
Overall production of munitions
increased per cent over September
the smallest monthly gain of the
year. Specifically. planes were
down 5 per cent, ordnance up 3 per
cent, Navy anc Army vessels up 4
per cent, merchant ships down 1C
per cent, other munitions up 9 per
cent.
The october results are disap-
pointing" commented Mr.. Nelson
while 1t becomes more difficult to
keep the rate of increase steady as
total output rises, we have not yet
reached the point where We can af-
ford so marked a decline in that
rate of increase. The program for
the coming year is so large that a
vigorous stepping up of the pace of
recent months is essential if our
obiectives are to be achieved
He said steps were being taken to
improve the war output such al
more control over the flow of scarce
materials and improved scheduling
Of production at plants.
United States production of arma-
ments, according to the most re-
liable estimates obtainsble, is cur
rently in excess of all the Axis
powers combined, despite the poor
showing in October. Mr. Nelson said
Estimates of aircraft output this
year indicate gain of three and a
half times production of 1941; out
put of tanks, guns and ammunition
probably will be more than six times
that of 1941; naval ship production
will be three times last years figure,
while we will build more than five
times as much merchant shipping
this year as last, he declared.
The poor showing of plane plants
in October was attributed by Mr.
Nelson partly to the punching" OF
plane deliveries on September 30.
In addition, SO of the planes finished
by one large manufacturer in Oc-
tober were not accepted until No
vember l because bad flying weather
delayed test flights.
Some Planes Increased.
He said deliveries of several of
the most useful types Of combat
planes increased. The number of
Navy fighters, light and heavy bonn
ber and two-engined fighters that
rolled off production lines increased
substantially.
Aircraft engine production in
creased per cent, while propeller
output, long a bottleneck, rose IL
per cent, an encouraging sign. High
est priorities are now given machine
tools used in making propellers. and
this may be expected to correct the
shortage to marked degree, Mr..
Nelson said.
Manpower is becoming an increas-
ingly difficult problem in plane
plants, and in October women &C
counted for virtually the entire net
increase in productive workers in
the industry
Declaring that ordnance continues
to present one of the biggest produc-
ton problems, Mr.. Nelson said that
output Of medium tanks dropped in
October. Production of light tanks,
guns and equipment for tanks,
climbed. Battle experience has dem
onstrated that the number of spare
parts required for tanks is larger
than anticipated. Increase in parts
output ccmpetes with production of
assembled units.
Transports Decline.
Greatest advance in Navy ship pro-
duction was in construction of minor
combat vessels-patrol and escort
vessels. Landing vessels, such as
those used in putting troops ashore
In North Africa, showed a marked
increase. Production of transports
declined.
A total of 80 cargo ships, agere-
eating 883 900 deadweight tons, were
delivered in October, a 10 pei cent
drop from the record breaking Sep
tember tonnage of 100000 tons.
Merchant ship construction facili-
ties were diverted to combat and
landing craft
The category of "other NUM-
tions,' including all items not mem
toned in the four major classes
showed production increase of
per cent in October. which was
largely due to gain in miscellane-
Gus aircraft items. including en-
gines, parts and lighter -than-a air
craft
Valuation of machine tools pro-
duced in october scared to an all
time high of Sl3O,0OO.OOO gain
of 83 per cent over the preceding
month. Mr.. Nelson said this re-
f1ected completion of new plant
facilities and drive within the in
dustry to hasten production.
The machine tool bottleneck is
disappearing, he said, as the back
log OF orders continues to decline
On the average untitled orders now
require seven and a half months
as compared with nine months last
summer.
Truman Optimistic.
Senator Truman, Democrat, of
Missouri, who has delved into al
most every phase of the war effort
on the home front expressed conf
dence today that 1943 will find the
United States producing military
equipment at rate the world would
have considered miraculous few
short months ago.
Senator Truman, chairman of the
Senate Defense Investigating Com
mittee, which has made systematic
check of production bottlenecks.
told reporters he had every reason
to believe that next years goals for
planes, tanks, guns and ships would
be reached.
He said he did r,ot fhipk tho