Evening star., 1943-04-20
Senators Vote
Separate0ftice
0fCivi| Supply
New Agency Would
Determine Need
Of Rotioning
By J. A. O'LEARY,

Dy y. "A. " LLAn1s
Creation of an independent
Civilian Supply Administration
to represent the home front in
the ALLEGATION of goods and ma
terials during the war was ap-
proved unanimously by the Sem
ate Banking Committee today.
The administration would also
determine the need for rationing.'
Sponsored by Senator Maloney.
Democrat of Connecticut, acting for
the Senate Small Business Commit
tee, the measure will be reported
favorably to the Senate Thursday
and may be taken up next Monday.
The Office of Civilian Supply is now
a part of the War Production Board.
The bill was strongly opposed by
WPB Chairman Donald M. Nelson
and War Manpower Chief McNutt,
but authoritative persons, said, how
ever, it has the backing of Eco
nomic Sterilization Director James
F. Byrnes.
Month of Hearings.
At month-long public hearings on
the bill, Mr.. McNutt and Mr.. Nelson
protested that the legislation would
provide for civilians at the expense
of the armed forces and thus put
the brakes on the military program
and hinder the war effort.
The Congress of Industrial Or
ganizations, Rubber Administrator
William Jeffers, Price Administrator
Brown, and Joseph Weiner, former
OCS, were among advocates Of the
measure
The new agency, headed by sl2,-
900 administrator, would be directed
to ascertain the quantities and types
of goods and services needed to keep
the civilian population healthy and
functioning effectively" then seek
to obtain appropriate ALLEGATIONS
from the WPB and other agencies
having direct jurisdiction.
1t would cover the overall need
for food, clothing, shelter, fuel.
transportation, medical care, or any
other commodity or service essential
to daily life.
hlgnt OF appeal.
While the particular Government
agencies having control of any given
commodity or service would allo-
cate the amounts which they deem
essential" the civilian supply ad-
ministrator could appeal from those
decisions to Mr.. Byrnes, or to such
other official as the President may
designate.
Although the White House has not
made known it's attitude on the
bill, observers pointed out that Ma
jority Leader Barkley, Chairman
Wagner of the Banking Committee
and other administration support
ers joined in reporting the bill IA
vorably.
Il think passage of the bill will
assure the civilian population pro-
lection of its needs and thereby give
great strength to the war effort. 1t
seems to me especially important
because I have for some time past
been fearful of an unemployment
problem before the end of the war
and that some agency should direct
its attention to the problem of con-
version of civilian needs" Senator
Maloney declared.
Illustrates Point.
To illustrate, he said it is possible
the supply of some implements Of
war may become adequate before the
war is over, in which case the fac
tories manufacturing those products
could be directed more quickly to a
civilian need if particular agency
is working on that problem.
Before acting the committee re-
vised the original bill, making it
clearer that the various agencies
making ALLEGATIONS would determine
the amounts they deem essential
for civilians. The bill, however, as
sures an appeal to Mr.. Byrnes, or
some other designated official. 1t
also protects the right of the allo-
eating agencies to 60 to the Presi-
dent if they feel their operations
have been adversely affected by de-
cision of the appellant official.
Subject to the approval of the
economic stabilization director, the
new agency would determine the
need for rationing goods and serv-
ices to the civilian population and
when and where such rationing shall
be instituted. In accordance with
these determinations the adminis-
traitor shall direct the appropriate
Government agencies to ration such
goods and services as he deems nee
eSSary in the war interest"