Evening star., 1943-01-07

lOSt Ills RIlp dlu ullSScO a IRE
sufhcient reasons. AS result
of hard experience in battle, we
have diverted portion Of our
tank producing capacity to a
stepped-up production of new,
deadly field weapons. especially
self-propelled artillery.
Here are some other produc-
ton figures:
In 1912 we produced $4,000
combat vehicles, such as tanks
and self propelled artillery
In 1872 we produced $4,000
machine guns. six times greater
than our production in 194l and
three times greater than our total
production during the year and
half of our participation in the
First World War.
We produced 2l000 anti-tank
guns, six times greater than our
l94l production.
We produced 10 and a quarter
billion rounds of small arms am
munition, five times greater than
our 194l production and three
times greater than our total pro-
duction in the First World War.
We produced 181 100000 rounds
of artillery ammunition. IL times
greater than our 194l production
and 10 times greater than our
total production in the First
World War.
The arsenal of democracy is
making good.
These facts and figures will
give no aid and comfort to the
enemy. On the contrary, I can
imagine they will give him con-
siderable discomfort. suspect
Hitler and TOTO will find it diff
cult to explain to the German
and japanese people just why it
is that "decadent. inefficient de-
mocracy" can produce such phe-
nomenal qualities of weapons and
munitions-and fighting men.
We have given the lie to cer-
tain misconceptions-especially
the one which holds that the
various blocs or groups within
a free country cannot forego their
political and economic differences
in time of crisis and work to-
gether toward a common goal.
Puts Armed Forces
Total at 1000, 900.
While We have been achieving
ing the past year our armed
forces have grown from little
over 100000 to 100000 In
other words, we have Withdrawn
from the labor force and the
farms some 100000 of our
younger workers. And in spite of
this, our farmers have contrib
uted their share to the common
effort by producing the greatest
quantity of food ever made avail
able during a single year in all
OUR history.
Is there any person among us
so simple as to believe that all
this could have been done with
out creating some dislocations in
our normal national life, some
inconveniences, and even some
hardships?
Who could have hoped to have
done this without burdensome
Government regulations which
are nuisance to every one-in-
Guiding those who have the
thankless task of administering
them?
We all know that there have
been mistakes-mistakes due to
the inevitable process of trial
and error inherent in doing big
things for the first time. We all
know that there have been too
many complicated forms and
missionaries. l know about
that. I have had to fill some of
them out myself
But we are determined to see to
it that our supplies Of food and
other essential civilian goods are
distributed on a fair and just
basis-to rich and poor. manage
ment and labor, farmer and city
dweller alike. And we are deter
mined to keep the cost of living
at stable level All this has re-
quired much information. The
forms and questionnaires repre-
sent an honest and sincere at
tempt by honest and sincere off,
cials to obtain this information.
Sees More Hardships
Before Final Victory.
We have learned by the mis-
takes that have been made.
Our experience will enable us
during the coming year to i'm
prove the necessary mechanisms
Of wartime economic controls and
to simplify administrative pro-
cedures. But we do not intend
to leave things so lax that loop
holes will be left for cheaters, for
chiselers or for the manipulators
Of the black market.
OF course, there have been in
conveniences and disturbances
and even hardships And there
will be many, many more before
we finally win. Yes, l943 will not
be an easy year for us on the
home front We shall feel in
many ways in our daily lives the
sharp pinch of total war.
Fortunately, there are only a
few Americans who place appe-