Evening star., 1942-04-20
Action Follows
ChargeAgainst
Presidents Order
Kept Secret Until
Factories Are Token
BY BLAIR BOLLES.

The Navy, at President Roose-
velt's direction. this afternoon
took possession of the three
plants of the Brewster Aeronau-
teal Corp. at Long Island City,
N. Y; Newark, N. j., and Johns
vile, Pa, because of "diSsatisfac-
ton with the management" and
prepared to operate them until
the President determines the
plants - will be privately op-
Grated in a manner consistent
with the war effort"
The Navy took possession OF the
plants at 2:22 pm, the White House
announced. The company has large
contracts for training planes. The
Navy Department said they also
turned out combat types.
Navy Issues Statement.
The Navy later issued an an
nouncement asserting that the "ex-
isting private control" OF the corpo-
ration has not proved adequate,
under the circumstances confront
ing It," to effectively operate the
plants and assure essential deliv-
cries. Brewster planes are used by
the British as well as the American
Air Force.
The action followed by few days
complaint presented to the Presi-
dent by r. J. Thomas. president Of
the United Automobile Workers of
America, that there was a slow
down situation at these plants and
that the management was made up
for the most part of aliens.
Mr.. Thomas told reporters at the
White House Thursday that he was
asking the Federal Bureau of In
vestigation and the Navy Depart
ment to investigate the situation at
the Brewster factories.
Order Secret Two Days.
Mr.. Roosevelt directed the step
pursuant to his powers as PreSi-
dent and as Commander In Chief
of the Army and Navy. in an
executive order dated April Is. two
days ago. The order was kept n
secret until the moment when the
Navy took possession Of the plants.
The President previously has orr
dered the same steps taken with
regard to four industrial organiza-
tions-the Toledo. Peoria e. West
ern Railroad: the Federal Shipbuild-
ing a. Drydock Corp, the North
American Aircraft Co. and the Air
Associates. These organizations were
taken over because of labor troubles.
1T is deemed essential" the order
said of the Brewster factories, that
such plants be taken over for use
or operation by the United States
Of America in order that they be
effectively operated"
The first paragraph of the order
said
Brewster Aeronautical Corp. has
entered into contracts for the con-
struction and manufacture of essen
tial war materials and such war
materials have been in the course
Of manufacture at the plants Of said
company"
Officials here said that the Brews-
ter Corp. has been falling far be-
dClAfElACo PldilCo W tAtc
Government.
No Labor Problem Involved.
Capt George c. Westervelt,
u. s. N. retired. assumed control
of the plants when the Navy took
over.
Government officials here empha-
sized that there was no labor prob
lem involved in the Governments
assumption of control.
The executive order directed the
Secretary of the Navy to employ
"a competent civilian adviser on in
dustrial relations" for Brewster and
1t was said that Capt. Westervelt
would pick this man.
The executive order added:
The Secretary of the Navy shall
employ such employees, including q
competent civilian advisor on indus
trial relations, as are necessary to
carry out the provisions OF this or
der. and, in furtherance of the pur-
poses of this order, the Secretary of
the Navy may exercise any existing
(See BREWSTER, Page 2-xJ