Evening star., 1943-09-22
.Connaly, Bankhead
Hit Plan 10 Expand
Rdyon Tire Output

WAR FTOCuCllOn bOdfQ recon-
mendation for expanded production
OF rayon for tire making drew sharp
criticism from Senators Connally,
Democrat, of Texas and Bankhead,
Democrat, of Alabama in a stormy
session today of the Truman Com
mittee.
Contending the Government Is
helping finance rayon expansion to
the displacement of cotton. the
Southerners assailed WPA report
asserting there are inadequate sup
plies of both f1bers.
Senator Connally accused H. Le-
Roy Whitney. technical consultant
to WPB Chairman Donald NJ Nell
son, of ''insolence" when Mr.. Whit
ney interrupted the Senator's ques-
tloning of James jacobson, special
| assistant to Mr.. Nelson on indus
trial analysis.
Mr.. Nelson in letter to Chair
man Truman told the committee the
1914 tire program threatens to be
seriously retarded by inadequate
supplies OF both rayon and cotton
cord.
Enormous Quantities Needed.
Il believe that only by the most
vigorous efforts will we be able to
supply the enormous quantities
necessary for the successful prose-
cution of the war" Mr.. Nelson added
Referring to secret report by his
technical consultants, Mr.. Nelson
said:
One broad conclusion is unesca-
pable-namelv. that our problem
from now on is not one of deciding
whether to use rayon or cotton. but
rather of being able to provide
sufficient quantity of both rayon and
cotton"
The committee began an investi-
CATION months ago after Southern
Senators complained that cotton was
being disseminated against.
Senator Bankhead attacked what
ne said was a recommendation to
expand rayon cord production by
100000 pounds at a cost of s44.-
600 1000, 100000 of which would
be spent by the Defense Plant Corp.
Senator Connally said Du Pont
and others would benefit by this.
adding sarcastically "Du Pont needs
the money from the Government.
They are in a bad way
1914 Supply Not Assured.
Meanwhile, William O'Neil presi-
dent Of General Tire & Rubber
Co., warned that although the syn
thetlc program will provide plenty
of rubber" American motorists are
not assured of passenger car tires
in 1914.
He said. in statement that if
the industry is to come close to
meeting the 1914 quota of 5000 900
tires, we must have additional
machinery" and manpower.
The l943 rate of tire building is
only one-third of that which will be
| required in 1914, Mr.. ONeil said.
Army and Navy tire requirements
for next year will be Is per cent in
excess OF their 1943 needs. he added.
Breakdown Threat Seen.
In New York John L. Collver,
president of the B. F.. Goodrich Co.,
added his warning that a serious
| breakdown of the Nations rubber
| borne transportation is threatened
unless action is taken to solve man.
power and technical problems in
using the Governments new syn
thetic rubber. -y ..
We are today in a rubber crisis. -
Mr.. Collyer said. Increasing ouan-
titles of rubber are coming from
Government-owned synthetic rub
Der plants, but it cannot be con-
Verted into hundreds of vital war
products nor into tires urgently
needed for trucks. buses and civilian
automobiles if adequate manpower
and additional production capacities
are not made available without
delay"
Mr.. Collyer said that "the great.
est contribution that American car
and truck owners can make to the
solution of the problem is to keep
within the national speed limit of
IS miles per hour, maintain recon-
mended imitation preSsures. adhere
to recommended load limits and
rigldly follow all the rules of tire
care"
The sooner you get that War saw
inn ct.