Evening star., 1943-05-28


last day on the bench and that ht
would resign tomorrow. He de.
clined to make any statement
as to policy. A former member
of Congress from Kentucky, he was
appointed to the court in 1888. He
also has been serving as chief judge
of the United States Emergency
Court of Appeals set up under the
Price Control Act.
Change Comes as Surprise.
Mr.. Byrnes resigned from the Su-
preme Court last fall to become di-
rector of economic stabilization.
While new form of control for
the war effort has been agitated for
long time, there had been no hint
that the President was considering
the plan announced today.
Mr. Byrnes told press conference
that the new ablishment accom-
plishes In effect the aims sought in
the pending Kilgore bill and con-
forms to recommendations by the
Truman and Tolan committees
He said its operation should lift
many burdens from the President
because it will enable disputes be-
tween conflicting agencies to be
thrashed out before they reach the
Chief Executive and thus make 1t
possible for him to come to quicker
decisions on controversial points
This. in turn. will give the Presi-
dent more time to devote to prob
lens arising directly out of the war
itself, the director said, which Is as
it should be.
Mr.. Byrnes recalled that he had
functioned in somewhat similar
mediatory capacity between warning
groups on several occasions at the
request of the President. but he
said that this was more or less an
informal procedure.
The power to resolve interagency
disputes means that Mr. Byrnes will
be the arbiter in any future con-
troversies such as that between
Rubber Director William M. Jeffers
and Undersecretary of War Patter-
son.
Hopes to Avoid Squabbles.
While Mr.. Byrnes outlined in gen.
eral terms the extent of his au-
thority, he also emphasized that he
did not intend to become too much
involved in details and squabbles
that could be handled elsewhere.
He told the press conference his
new authority is completely differ
ent from that which he held as
economic stabiliZation director.
But on all general matters of de-
termining policies and programs for
production, procurement, distribu-
ton or transportation of military or
civilian supplies. Mr.. Byrnes indi-
Gated he would have the final say
subject always. of course, to the
control of the President.
On matters involving oil. he said
Secretary Ickes would be brought in
for example, in his capacity OF
petroleum co-ordinator. In matters
affecting labor, he said, conferences
would be held with Labor Secretary
Perkins and probably Chairman Viii.
liam H. Davis of the War Labor
Board.
Asked whether food was outside
his jurisdiction, Mr.. Byrnes replied
If it's in the Government. it's In
the war mobilization picture"
To an inquiry as to whether he
would "fyo1 o,fhNrif1, nv, x~ro
duction." he cited the language Of
the order setting up his Office ane
said he would have determination
over questions of production pro.
grams, under control and direction
OF the President, with the element
present of conferences with tht
War Mobilization Committee ane
other Government officials con
cerned.
Committee Meets Next Week.
Mr.. Byrnes said he hoped to cal
| the committee together for its initia
meeting next week. and that h,
would maintain his Offices, as a
present. in the east wing of tn,
White House.
Mr.. Byrnes noted at his press con
ference that the provisions of TIN
executive order creating his new of
flee were similar to proposals in tn
Kilgore bill pending in Congress ant
to recommendations made by +,
House committee headed by Repre-
sentative Tolan. Democrat, of Cali
fornia. Also, he said. the last repor
of the Senate War Investigating
Committee under Senator Truman
Democrat, of Missouri recommends
a tribunal of the character now es
tablished to settle home front prob
lens.
The war mobilization director as
serted that he believed it would b
possible in many cases for him u
take action without bothering tn
President, but that important mat
ters would be laid before the Chic
Executive for a final o. K.
Although Mr.. Byrnes indicated hi
~ A l.