Evening star., 1942-03-10

County Officers Call
For Prohibition Of
War Output Strikes
Would End 40-Hr. Week.;
Voice Alarm at Confusion
In Federal Government

to prohibit strikes and proflteering,
or any other action of employer or
employe liable to interfere with war
production, was urged unanimously
by some 300 delegates to the Ma
tional Association of County Off,
cials today at the Hotel Washing
ton.
Resolutions represented delegates
as alarmed at the evidences OF
confusion and lack Of co-ordinated
action which exist in the Federal
Government on all sides" and said
that war profits, short hours and
many peacetime rights and privl-
leges" must give away to the tram
scendent need for war material and
preparations, if our way of life is to
survive"
Another resolution urged that the
40-hour-week be suspended ito
whatever extent necessary to win
the war"
A third resolution called on the
Federal Government to exercise
more courage. diligence and
promptness in dealing with sub
versive activities not only among
enemy aliens and their offspring,
but among those who have been
naturalized or who have hidden be-
hind legal technicalities."
Ceilings Called For.
Other resolutions approved called
for ceilings on wages, profits, rents,
farm prices and commodity prices
so that "ruinous imitation may be
avoided; urged a single co-ordinat-
ing agency. designated from those
Federal agencies already existing,
through which all local govern
mental priorities may be handled;
recommended that governmental
peacetime functions. national, State
and local, should be curtailed and
converted where possible to war pur-
poses; urged defeat Of bill pending
in Congress designed to relieve de-
fense contractors and those who
deal with them from personal prop
ertv. gross income. sales and other
taxes. and asked ALLEGATION OF o. c.
D. materials and equipment to coun-
ties as well as 10 larger cities Tor
distribution to the smaller incor-
porated and unincorporated areas In
the counties.
Before the resolutions were re-
ported Director James M. Lands OF
the Once of Civilian Defense told
the conference that finding wise
things for the people TO do in civilian
organizations is not boondoggling.
Answers Criticisms.
Answering criticisms directed at
his office. Director Lands said the
5000 local defense councils can aid
the war effort by training women for
work in industries and to serve as
air raid wardens and in other useful
lines. IF that is worthwhile. all of
the o. c. D. is worthwhile" he said.
Dean Lands said that drills for
the civilian army are as necessary
as for armed forces.
Blackout regulations, the director
stated, should vary according TO
community needs, but he felt some
degree of uniformity at the State
level is needed. Counties and cities,
he said, should go along with the
State plans.
Dean Lands emphasized that his
Office is planning agency and that
protective steps must be taken by
the individual communities. He said
he hoped to double the present o. C..
D. army of 2,50o,0 900 men within the
next six months. He doubted there
should be any liberalization OF the
o. c. D. set up.
Il shall not hesitate 10 tell any
governor of any State who rejects
needed operational methods. that
ne is endangering the lives of his
people he added.
Salvage Important.
The Federal Government tomor-
row will make its first requisition in
the United States of an automobile
graveyard" unless the owner ac-
cepts a fair price offered by the
Government, delegates were told by
Paul Cabot Of the w. P. B. salvage
section. The Government will not
tolerate protracted litigation. but
will buy needed war materials with
R. F. c. funds and through court or
ders in the emergency, Mr.. Cabot
remarked. He reported that "a per
cent Of Americas copper supply last
year came from junk piles or sec
ondary materials as he urged dele
gates to cooperate back home
with their local salvage committees.
Earlier. as they went into their
second days meeting, delegates were
mindful of the pleas made to them
yesterday by Vice President Wallace
and Price Administrator Henderson
to promote back home" greater
public realization of Americas war
task.
Asserting the time for action and