The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1942-03-20
WASHINGTON AND WAR
BY J. E. Jones


Washington, d. c., March16--At
the outbreak of the war in Europe
our own Government adopted an en-
barge policy--and neutrality follow
ed. Discussion over the latter step
was very bitter, and in order to ST.
lence the isolationists President
Roosevelt promised the American
people that their sons would not be
sent overseas to fight in foreign
war.
The next step toward war was the
lease-lend legislation, and notice to
the World that America was the
arsenal for Democracy. The Nazis
met the challenge with submarines.
That carries us along to Pearl Har-
Dor, the Philippines and Declara-
lions of War between the United
Nations and the Axis.
Looking backwards--it seems to
have been a very swift series of
hops, skips, and jumps from the
defensive" to the Offensive.
So today as write to you from
the Capital City I can assure you
that this word Unity" is accepted
by your administrative and legis-
lative branches of Government and
offensive war is the next move on
the program.
I wish that all the millions of
readers who are familiar with my
correspondence could see their
Washington of March, 1942--but
advise you to stay away! Hundreds
of acres of new buildings have
sprung up within year, and an
estimated increase of 100000 in the
population is conservative. The
streets bristle with men in Army
Navy, Marine, and Air uniforms; the
White House grounds are closed
antiaircraft guns and heavy arma
ment are seen in parks, on build
ings, and in all vital points; bridges
are guarded; the walks and streets
are crowded with pedestrians ant
vehicles; the Spring celebration Of
the japanese cherry trees is ana
lthema--and Scratched.
| I lived in Washington through the
first World War and my recollection
is that the District of Columbia wa.
in more of mess then than now
There aren't as many cocktail par
ties, drunks and disorderlies as il
l1917-18. Housing and office condi
lions are well regulated, consider
ling the rush; and rents are prac
tically frozen. The flu ravage(
Washington during the former war
Nov all the folks seem to be in goo(
Health, blessed with good appetites
land ready to fight for Victory.
| Much Better Than Expected
1--WE have made faster progress!
ON our war production than we hat
leven hoped to make. The situation
is much better than the public MAJ
have been led to expect
| That is encouraging news from
lC. e. Wilson, President of Genera
Motors, who offers these ample
statistics to substantiate the state
ment:
For instance, during the weel
lending February IA, General Motors
had on its payrolls a total of 161,
1882 factory workers. The cores
ponding figure for the average en-
ployment for the whole year 1895
was 152,0O0--fewer than we now
have. But in February these en-
lployes averaged A hours a week
while in 1889 they averaged only
35. This means that General Motors
has already achieved war produc.
ton activity greater than its total
normal business activity in 1889. II
is true that our employment is below
the average of 1910 when we had
176,000 factory workers and below
the peak employment in June, 1941
when we had 235,000. Our schedules
call for increasing employment from
now on and by this fall more people
will be working in General Motors
plants than ever before
/ General Motors is undertaking
the manufacture for our Govern.
ment of about 10 per cent in value
of all war material requiring metal
fabrication. We are already in guam
tity production on such items as air
craft engines, Navy Diesel engines
machine gums, anti-aircraft cannon
shells, army trucks and many 9TH
er items. We have three big plants
exclusively producing aircraft en-
gines, backed up by parts production
from our Chevrolet, Buick and Ca
dillac factories. We have huge
tank program, calling for the pro-
duction of light, medium and heavy
tanks. We are preparing for the
production Of three different types
OF complete airplanes, In addition to
the bomber parts already in produc-
ton. We will be producing many
sizes Of larger cannon and gun car
Iriages, as well n many other itans.