The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-03-26
CHESTER DAVIS
 WAR FOOD BOSS
CCOntinued from Page D

be deferred by the end of the year under this present law, he said Of these 5000, 900, the President said 100000 would be single men and the rest married.
 The President said he thought these figures would be rather inter- esting to Congress, where legisla- ton is pending providing for the deferment of all farm workers.
 The President also said a good many thousands of experienced farm workers now in the armed service probably would be fur loughed during the year for a tenn. porary return to their farm duties He continued to oppose the idea however, of furloughing troops whe have completed their training and are just about ready for combat service.
 MT, Roosevelt also told hAs press conference that the war production board had ordered more steel made available for production of farm machinery this year.
 He said that he WIPE last year in an effort to focus American pro- duction on war weapons, had en- couraged large manufacturers oi farm machinery to convert to war production, leaving the farm mach- inery field to small plants. The WIPE, he added, admits this was a mistake.
 MT, Roosevelt made public the executive order under which the new food administration was estab- lished and in which he specified that Davis would be directly responsi- ble" to the chief executive. All of the powers given Wickard last December when he was made the first food administrator were trans ferred to Davis.
 Leaders of the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Grange and the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives all wei comed the appointment of Davis' but warned that he will need greater power than that exercised by WICK ard.
 Davis, now President of the St. Louis federal Reserve Bank, has had long experience in Washing ton, as head of the Agricultural Adjustment Administration and later as a member of the Federal Reserve Board.
 Wickard, as secretary of agricul- ture, appears to be left merely with management of the old-line, non- emergency functions of the depart ment. Friends said he had not present intention of resigning, but such a development within the near future would not surprise some Of them.
 Congressmen, Republicans and Democrats alike, were enthusiastic over the appointment of Davis. There were growing indications that they may at least delay the Bank head and Pace bills which, Price Administrator Prentiss Brown esti- mated would result in an 18 per cent increase in food costs.
 Davis, ip St. Louis, said he hoped that all phases of the farm program could be coordinated and "all fac tions can work together on this problem of food" He will come to Washington early next week to as- Sllme his duties.
 Chairman Walter P. George, Dem- ocrat, Ga, of the Senate Finance Committee, expressed the general attitude of Congress when he said: "It's a most excellent appointment. He is a man with a practical and excellent understanding of the farm problem, and of securing the necessary labor for the farms"
 Farm organization leaders, who generally have supported Wickard personally. attributed the present muddled food situation to his lack of final authority over farm labor, machinery and prices.
 Edward A. ONeal, president of the American Farm Bureau Fedora ton, said he was gratified by Davis appointment but that he would need more power than Wickard has had to do the job successfully
 Fred Brenchman, legislative rep resentative of the National Grange, said he would join in the fight for revision of existing laws to give Davis full powers over farm prices, labor and machinery.
 Ezra T. Benson, secretary of the National Council of Farmer Cooper atives, said he believed Davis to be thoroughly competent to fill his new position and welcomed him back to Washington.
 Price administration officials said privately that they did not believe Browns control over prices would be affected by the new appointment. The Emergency Price Control Act which passed January, l942, invests full powers to fix prices in the price administrator. The appoint ment means, this official believed. taht Brown will deal in the future directly with Davis instead of Wickard on price problems. Wick oV.d and E1r0un1 Iaova dica 0road Of1