Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-16

sympathizer with the Army-Navy
group. He had expanded his power
over the war production program
considerably during the months he
had been vice chairman of WPB
When Mr.. Nelson appointed Mr.
Wilson a vice chairman. observers
were convinced that there would be
a conflict.
This came to a climax last month
when Mr.. Nelson issued an order
which transferred seven industry di-
visions from Mr.. Eberstadts con-
troll to Mr.. Wilson. This action
! gave Mr.. Wilson increased control
over the flow of materials. which
had been Mr.. Eberstadt's function.
Nelson Under Fire.
Meanwhile. there were indica tons
that Mr.. Nelson's own position at
the head of WPB was being sub
| jected to assault.
1t was reported reliably that
friends of Mr.. Eberstadt, represent
ing the armed services. had gone to
|.
Nelson himself be removed and re-
placed by Bernard Baruch. produc-
ton chief in the World War, or by
some other figure.
Mr.. Nelson has not taken an ap-
peal to President Roosevelt. but
officials said he had determined
on Mr.. Eberstadt's custer to bring
about harmony within his shop
and assert once and for all the
dominance of civilian control over
munitions production.
Conflict Growing.
At last weeks meeting of WPB, It
was learned, Undersecretary of War
Patterson and Ralph A. Bard, As
s.stant Secretary of the Navy, said
they could not approve the shift of
the seven divisions. Mr.. Nelson told
them bluntly he had not asked ap-
proval.
There appeared to be no question
that Mr.. Nelson's place at the head
Of WPB was jeopardized by the
fiare-up because the White House
was faced with theitask of choosing
between Mr.. Nelson and the armed
services.
1t appeared likely the dispute
would end-if it has not already
enoed-Mr. Nelson's close relation
ship with Mr.. Baruch, who was re-
sponsible in part for Mr.. Eberstadt
Joining the war effort. 1t was
thought unlikely, however, that Mr..
Baruch would take the chairman
ship of WPB, since he has refused
to take a Government position in
this war Mr.. Baruch was not con-
suited in the shift of power from
Nj Eberstadt to Mr. Wilson.
Wilson'S Powers Increased.
The armed services interest In
the case hinged on the increased
power given to Mr.. Wilson to sched-
ule production of munitions. powers
which Mr.. Wilson has publicly said
will mean the redistribution of con-
tracts and, if necessary, the reallo-
cation Of tools and manpower among
war producers to increase output Of
such critical "compopents" as gears
valves, motors, instruments and
other items whose scarcity is a drag
on virtually all the production pro-
| grams of the major weapons, includ-
/ ing planes, ships, tanks, synthetic
/ rubber and l00-octane gasoline
/ Mr.. Eberstadt and the armed
/ services, on the one hand, and Mr.
/ Wilson and Mr.. Nelson, on the
other, have diametrically opposed
views on WPBs function in the
| production effort. The latter look
on production scheduling as the
most important job to be done to
break production bottleneckS.
Mr.. Eberstadt and the armed
services. on the other hand, believed
that production control should be
exercised through control over the
ALLEGATION of materials through the
/ controlled materials plan admin
istered by Mr.. Eberstadt.
Mr. Wilson's much publicized
directive of January 20, which in
Structed Government agencies, prime
contractors and SubcontractOrs to
get all their 1913 contracts signed
within brief specified time was in
effect a public notice of his belief
that the armed services had failed
in their job of scheduling produc-
ton or placing orders far enough
ahead so that effective scheduling
could be done.
Eberstadt's Friends Angry.
When Mr.. Nelson transferred the
divisions from MI Ebcrstadt to Mr.
Wilson. friends Of Mr.. Eberstadt
made little effort to conceal their
anger. There was talk of reSigna-
tionS. and associates of Mr.. Nelson
let 1t be known that he was ready
to accept any resig nation that is
offered"
In New York. the Herald Tribune
published Washington dispatch
which said Mr. Nelson had told
friends he was fighting for his life"
against Army anG Navy demands
that the WPB b" abolished in its
present form or that his powers be
limited.
The WPB chairman, acknowl.
edglng that they're after nv scalp
was understood TO be ready to fight
to the finish against the Army anc
Navy. which have protested his de.
clSion to transfer seven important
! WPB divisions from the control Of
Mr.. Eberstadt to that of Mr.. vii.
son. the paper said.
Why should your Uncle Sam have
to dun anybody to buy War bono
+ In helm r.. IL.