The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-11-19
LYMAN AIRCRAFT
 BOARD NAMED
Nelson Appoints Charles Wilson Head of New
 Directorate
BY ARTHUR F. DEGREVE United Press Staff Correspondent


 Washington, Nov. l9 ' (U.P) = War Production Board Chairman Donald M. Nelson has created a four-man aircraft directorate under Charles E. Wilson. former president of General Electric Company, with indisputable authority over the war plane program, responsible sources said today.
 Serving with Wilson were Maj-Gen Oliver P. Echols of the Army Air Corps; Rear Admiral Ralph Davison of the Naval Bureau of Aeronautics. and Harold Talbot, head of the WIPE Aircraft Production Division.
 Effect Of the move is to place under civilian control the entire airplane program from scheduling to actual manufacture which here tofore has been directed largely by various units of the armed services. It will, for example, eliminate much of the authority of the army's air. craft scheduling unit in Dayton, O.. officials said.
 Nelson was given supreme control over all phases of war production by President Roosevelt in the directive which made him WIPE chairman. He had not exercised these powers in regard to plane production, allow ing the continuance of a policy es- tablished by the old office of pro- duction management.
 Puts Accent On Plane
 Establishment of the four-man board, which is expected to be an- nounced by Nelson soon, signifies the end of the old policy ard the beginning of a new one under which Nelson. through Wilson, will hold tighter rein over production of this vital war weapon.
 Nelson's move served further to elevate plane production to the must" stature which some officials felt it has not had. This feeling, however, never was shared by Nell son.
 At press conference last Aug ust he stated that production of combat aircraft is the most im- portant single job before this coun- try because that is at the present time our best offensive wea- pom"
 There was a feeling as far back as last August that the airplane was a "step child" of the arms effort and that it lacked friend at court before the once powerful army and navy munitions board. which had an voice in the scheduling of weapons of all kinds. Nelson admit ted to the press that he once had to override this board to speed up plane output.
 l,5e0 Planes Goal
 The army and navy recently was 1 into the background when | Nelson named Ferdinand Eberstadt, 1 former head of the agency. as vice i chairman of WIPE in charge of ma- ferials ailocation. At the same time he made Wilson top production man.
 Under the new plan. Nelson vests Tn Wilson part of the authority which he got from President Roose- pelt. As head of the new board. Wilson will have the last word and | this has been impressed upon the heads Of the armed services.
 Officials said WIPE will continue lo follow programs outlined by the services as far as practicable. But 1t will be Wilson's sole responsibility | Io see that the Presidents aircraft goal for i943, which already has been submitted to Nelson but which | he refuses to disclose. is met.
 Mir. Roosevelt called on industry last January for 6000o planes, but | his goal later was revised down. yard. It was understood that ap- 45.000 will have been 1 turned out before 1o42 ends.