Evening star., 1943-01-21
Nelson Expects Few
New Restrictions
On Civilian Goods
WPB Mapping Program of
SimpIificotion; OCS
Moy Be Separate Agency

Chairman Donald M. Nelson
Of the War Production Board
declared today that mot much
more trimming can be done to
the supplies of goods for civil
ians," adding that some WPB
officials believe the civilian
economy has been trimmed too
far.
Mr.. Nelson pointed out that we'll
defined programs have been worked
out for military, lease-lend and in
direct military uses, but that no
overall planning had been done for
civilians. Consideration is being
given, he added, to removal of the
Ofice Of Civilian Supply from WPB
and its establishment as a separate
agency, which would serve as the
advocate for civilians. -s.t.s..
A great deal more must be done,
Mr.. Nelson said, toward making
better use of materials which are
available for the home front. This
will be accomplished through sim
plification of the products which
civilians need.
Four Major Problems.
Mr.. Nelson declared the four
major problems before WPB at this
time are:
/. Increased production and I'M
proved distribution of component
items needed for the production of
synthetic rubber, escort vessels and
aviation gasoline.
2. Better distribution Of materials
for all production, military as well as
civilian.
8. Simplifcation of civilian goods
4. Concentration of industry used
in making necessary things for the
home front.
Mr.. Nelson said well-rounded
program of simplification of civilian
products is being developed and will
be announced shortly. He pointed
out that it was the basic policy of
Bernard Baruch, administration ad-
wiser, that all problems such as SIM
plif1cation and concentration can be
worked out through industry. Mr.
Baruch's views were developed as
the result of his World War expert
enceS.
Mr.. Nelson said he agreed with
him.
Decision Not Reached.
Discussing the recent move In
which Col. Robert w. Johnson was
brought into WPB as chairman of
the Smaller War Plants Corp, Mr..
Nelson expressed hope that Lou E.
Holland, the former chairman,
would remain as chief assistant. Mr..
Nelson declared he was very de-
sirous that Mr.. Holland remain"
1t is understood that Mr.. Holland
has not given his decision in the
matter to the WPB chairman. If
he stays he will serve as deputy
chairman of the Smaller War Plants
Corp. and as director of the Smaller
War Plants Division of WPB.
Il have just got to have admin
istrative help to take the load of
that work off my shoulders" Mr..
Nelson said in discussing Col. john
sons appointment. "It is my ear
nest hope that Bob Johnson viii do
that. Smaller War Plants Corp. is
a vertical setup covering every
phase of WPB activity and con-
flicting with some of that activity
at several points"
Mr.. Nelson said Mr.. Holland had
done a much better job for small
business than was apparent on the
surface, particularly in working out
agreements with the Army and
Navy so that war contracts may
be given to small firms He added
that a tremendous job must be
done in selling the Importance of
keeping up small business to the
larger manufacturers of the coun-
try, adding it would be a distinct
loss to WPB should Mr.. Holland
decide to leave.
The production chief declared
that good progress was being made
in working out schedules for pro-
duction of rubber. escort vessels and
aviation gasoline SO that all of
these vital programs could "go
along together"