The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-09-17
PRODUCTION GOES UP
BY J. E. Jones

BY j. Il. Jones
Washington, Sept 13-Chairman
Nelson of the War Production Board
tells us that munitions production
in July increased 3 per cent over
June. This was less than the gain
scheduled for that month, but there
is cause for cheer in the report be-
cause it means that the trend of out
put has resumed its upward course.
Earlier production, since April, had
not come close enough to the month
very happy. The various causes seem
to be clearing up, because WPB Of
ficials are confident that August pro-
duction will have shown gain at
least comparable to that of July.
While output was below the hoped
for increase, it must be remembered
that in terms of production totals
the quantities of guns, tanks, planes
and ships pouring from American
factories is enormous. For example,
July production was at rate nearly
six times that of November, 1941,
the month preceding Pearl Harbor.
That fact and the resumption of
the upward trend of output show
once again that American industry
can deliver the goods in spite of han
dicaps in unparalleled fashion.
1t Can Happen Again
In October, 1918, everyone seemed
to insist that the war would go on
for years. The next month the Armis-
tice was signed, November II, and
the war was over
Germany is as badly whipped to-
day as 1t was in October, 1918. There
isn't a country in the world that is
adding to Germany's hopes of win
ming this war. The Jig is up! 1t won't
last long! Military authorities an
swer the question, How about ia
pan," with the prompt reply that
| it will be Settled speedily"
s'SOldiers OF The Soil'
Two months ago government re-
ports showed an increase of 500, 900
girls in industrial and farm employ
ment, and the vast majority of them
were filling the places of boys who
had been taken from the farms and
indicted into the armed forces.
These 1913 volunteer farmerettes
covered themselves with glory on
account of the way they rallied to
the call-of-the-soil.
1t is hertening to find in govern
ment reports that great civilian ar
mics of new workers, in the early
summer, were absorbed in the sea-
sonal upswing of farm employment,
which accounted for 100000 of the
100000 gain in the number of
jobs. This brought employment in
agriculture to total o 100000
the highest figure recorded in en-
ployment in recent years. The actual
excess of girls and women of IA
early summer was 1,634,OO0, and
the increase of boys and men was
2,532,0OO. All these excess workers
had their choice of employment be-
tween industries engaged in war pro-
duction or on the farms, and it is a
very significant fact that they turned
out in such great numbers that the
u. s. Employment Service gave
them the title of Soldiers OF The
Soil" When farmers cried out loud
for help they gathered the crops.
Contrary to the general belief, the
early withdrawal of boys and girls
from school was a greater factor in
the expansion of the labor force than
was the increase of women workers.
In April, according to Bureau of La
Dor Statistics, there were about L.
500, 900 more teen-age persons in
the labor market than was expected,
on the basis of school attendance
And the teen age groups were on the
dot in helping to boost production of
aircraft, tanks, Diesel engines, trucks
and billions of dollars worth of ma
terials for the defense program.
Ase
Prices Are Hard To Control
The general public knows also
that the price control program does
not work satisfactorily; it may be
added that the OPA knows it--(al-
so). The price ceilings and subsidies
champs are about ready to go to the
mat and it is question as to which
one will be the first to get the
knockout blow.
Congress backed down on support
of subsidies just before going on its
vacation. The issue lis again ION the
way up" and no man can tell wheth-
er Congress will be able to outlaw
subsidies. The President insists on
a subsidy plan to hold imitation in
check.