Evening star., 1942-03-18
End Of Interference
With War Production
Pledged by Nelson
500 Guin in PIune Output
Since PeorI Hurbor
Revealed in Broadcast

Since PeorI Hurbor
Revealed in Broadcast
By the Associated Press.
Donald M. Nelson has given
America new promise-to knock
down all interference to war
production, whether from man.
agement haggling or union slow
ups.
In a broadcast message to the Ma
ton last night the war production
chief said the country's factories al
ready were turning out war goods in
large volume and that plane pro-
duction had gone up more than so
per cent since December 7.
But this is no reason for false
complacency," he said. I'VE need
more and forever more of these
weapons. and we need them now
We have got to realize the value of
time.
Here is what time is worth. A
machine-gun factory In full swing
can equip a whole regiment in q day
and a half. Thirty-six hours of
work. That's why hours are i'm
portant. Every minute counts.
Plants Seek Delay.
"Yet some manufacturers have
come to the War Production Board
to plead for just few extra months
before going into war production.
Some of them want to delay over de-
tails. Some of them argue before
awarding a subcontract. I know of
a case where rs days were wasted
this way. You and 1 will not stand
for that.
Then, too, know Of cases where
workers In war plants have been
told by other workers-by men in
their own unions-to keep produc-
ton down, to take 1t easy. not to
hurry, to spread the job out and
make the work last. You and will
not stand for that either.
These cases are not typical. They
are becoming fewer and fewer. In
my opinion they simply reflect the
fact that a few people just haven't
got it through their heads that this
is life-and-death matter. pledge
my word to the American people
that I will knock down such indif-
ference or interference wherever I
find it."
Typewriter Output to Be Cut.
While Mr.. Nelson was speaking,
the w. P. B. ordered five large type
writer companies to cut production
of standard models Is per cent be-
low average monthly sales from
March IS to May 81 last year, and
told a sixth to reduce 10 per cent.
Output of portables was ordered cut
by 64 per cent. Typewriter stocks
already have been frozen and the
board indicated that probably no
new machines would be available for
civilians.
The board also halted manufac-
ture of slot machines which vend
beverages, cigarettes. food, candy
nuts and gum. The industry, which
has = $4,000, 900 annual business. is
to go into production of shells and
airplane parts.
A report on the radio industry,
which Is now being converted to war
work and which has been ordered
to quit making sets for civilian use
after April %, said about $l25 900 900
worth of communication equipment
would be produced for war use by
the end of the year. About half is
detector equipment, to locate enemy
ships and planes. The rest is air.
craft and navigation equipment.
tank sets and two-way radios for
use in the field.
In his broadcast Mr.. Nelson said
Axis propaganda agents were trying
to wreck the Government speed-up
drive and cautioned that "groundlesS
fears Of few people could bog down
the whole effort"
1t was understood he referred to
claims by the Berlin radio that the
production drive, with its joint
labor management committees in
American industry
Mr.. Nelson said the program was
mot a management plan, a labor
plan or any other plan. 1t is the
War Production Board plaE"
During the next two weeks the
program is to be explained to labor
and management groups IN series
1f
meetings, Mr.. Nelson said, the sue
cess of the drive lis up to the pen
and women, labor and management
in the plants
Among the first groups to respond
was the c. 1. o. Steel Workers
Organizing Committee which noti-
fled Mr.. Nelson it was ready to meet
with management committees to
map an immediate program for in
creased steel production.
The War Production Board also
announced it had approved con-
struction of an additional 350,000
dwelling units for war industry
workers, more than doubling the
original defense housing program
announced September 10.
The homes will be constructed in
areas certified by the National Hous-
ing Agency as being in need of addi-
tional living accommodations.
OF the total additional units. 150,-
900 will be built by Government
agencies, while the remaining 200 900
will be privately financed.