Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-12-05
Production Held
Big Problem
BIZ OWen L. Scott.

By OtDen L. Scott.
This country ut the moment Is ac-
complishing q production miracle. The
miracle Is found in the fact that Ameri-
can industry and agriculture, at one and
the same time. are supporting both .
war effort such as the world never be-
fore witnessed and living standard for
civilians higher on the average than at
any previous time.
A result of this kind had not been
anticipated. All Of the Governments
plans had rested upon the expectation
that, as industry converted to war, civil
lians would be forced to adjust their
living standards downward until they
would be lower than at the bottom of
the depression in 1882. Instead, the
productive capacity of industry proved
SO great that a high living standard
is going along with production for war
on a colossal scale.
American industry now is fully con-
verted to war. 1t is turning out war
goods at 4 rate which enables the
United States to support war effort
measured in terms of an annual ex-
penditure OF $4,000, 100000. That is
somewhat more than four times the
British effort and more than three times
the German. The production repre-
sented probably is flve times as great
as Russian military production and
probably Is times that of Japan
Yet civilians are far from neglected
1t is estimated officially that American
civilians in 1914, as in 1943, will have
available to them a volume of goods
and services amounting in value to $780,
600, 900 900. That is greater than in
1929 1t reflects the fact that, except
for new automobiles, new homes and
other new consumer durable goods, the
American people are getting more Of
the things that they want than ever be-
fore in history. This is true for the
masses of the people, not necessarily for
persons above the average in income.
1t Is in this now demonstrated pro-
ductiveness of American industry and
agriculture that many OF the problems
Of the future will be found.
Today'S results are being accom-
plished with 100000 of the Nations
best workers drawn of into military
service. Civilians are enjoying their
high standard Of living at time when
$4,000 900 additional workers are pro-
ducing goods for use by the military
services and for lease lend This war
production is so large that by mid-1944,
even with both wars continuing, it
probably will taper down because OF the
fact that war inventories are reaching
such great size in many types OF goods.
If the German war ends some time in
1874, as expected, then production OF
many kinds OF weapons will fall pre-
cipitately.
At that time the Nation will begin to
get glimpse OF the staggering problem
Of reconversion
1t has taken the United States more
than three years to get organized for
war. That organization was accom-
plished with 4 definite objective always
In mind and with just one big customer
ready to buy whatever industry could
turn out. Industry may be called upon
to shift back to peace basis in a far
shorter period than required to shift to
war. The situation again will be on the
basis OF every man for himself, with
the individual consumer the final Judge
OF goods to be marketed
The problem is going to be to assure
Jobs to all Of those now In civilian in.
dustry and agriculture who want to
work in the postwar period and at the
same time to open Jobs for most of the
10000 900 in industries producing for war
ana large proportion of the 10, 600. 600
men In the Army and Navy. Industry
wants to accomplish this result with a
minimum Of guidance or help from the
national Government.
The Governments planners are busy
now trying to discover where all of
these war workers and soldiers are to
md jobs when the war is over They
are not yet able to provide satisfactory
answer.
Rather large numbers Of workers will
60 back to making automobiles, re-
1rigerators and other types OF consumer
durable goods. The automobile indus
try, IN fact may have need for as many
workers rs 1t now employs for several
postwar years. The construction indus
try, directly and indirectly, may provide
an outlet for 100000 more jobs than it
provided In the prewar period. Agricul-
ture might be able to absorb 1000 900
more workers as former farmers and
farm workers leave the services The
textile industry will continue in the
postwar period to employ as many work.
ers as 1t IS employing during the war.
Yet, under the best of circumstances.
1t appears that the domestic market for
goods and services hardly will be broad
enough to give jobs to all who may want
to work. The gap between jobs open and
Jobs sought may be several million wide,
The resulting conclusion now being
reached by the more conservative OF the
Governments economists is that large
scale development abroad, fostered by
American capital, probably must pro-
vide the outlet for goods that will en-
able this country to furnish enough
Jobs to avoid large-scale postwar un-
employment. Either that or some new
method of planned distribution at home