Evening star., 1943-05-04
JeffersCriticiizes
Nelson, Assai|s
0PARestriictions
Says Rubber Program
Pushed All Phases
Of War Effort
BY JAMES Y. NEWTON.

Rubber Director William M.
Jeffers today sharply criticized
Chairman Donald M. Nelson of
the War Production Board for
his handling of the materials
program, and at the same time
struck out at the Office of Price
Administration for unnecessarily
restricting civilians.
Mr.. Jeffers earlier had told the
Truman committee, which is investi-
eating the rubber aviation gasoline
controversy, that the momentum
given his rubber program "has
dragged forward all phases of the
war effort" He said the program
for producing high -octane gasoline
would receive 10000 barrels of fuel
day as a result of rubber pro-
duction, which also would benefit
efforts to build large anti-sub-
marine feet. He said any curtail-
ment of the rubber program would
be "a tragic error
Senator Ball, Republican, of Min
nesota charged that Mr.. Jeffers had
allowed so much reclaimed rubber
for ordinary civilian motorists that
there was an insufficient supply to
meet the recapping demands of war
workers. Senator Ball added that
his information came from the OPA
and tire-industry sources.
The OPA and Others" shouted
Mr. Jeffers, Seemed to delight in
having it so arranged that they can
in some manner restrict the people.
Maybe I am too much the other
way. I am going to continue to
be frank with the people If they
want some one to restrict the people
needlessly maybe they should get a
little boy-certainly I am not the
man."
Two-Year Supply.
Mr.. Jeffers said there Is a two
year supply OF reclaimed rubber in
the country suitable for recapping
purposes. He admitted recapping
facilities are limited to handling
10000 tons a month, though he
added, that's a lot of camelback.' y
In answer to a question as to
whether a better solution might
have been worked out with regard
to the competition for material OF
the rubber and high octane program
Mr.. Jef1ers said, More competent
direction would have been helpful.
This comment apparently was
aimed at Mr.. Nelson, who has charge
of the distribution of materials
among war programs.
During the hearing Senator Mead
Democrat, of New York suggested
that Mr.. Jef1ers take over the high
octane gasoline problem"
The Senator's proposal, received
with great applause by spectators
at the hearing, was made imme-
diately after Mr.. Jeffers expressed
great disdain TO rthe Capital and
his desire to get out of the city
"as soon as possible because I have
no interest in Washington"
Did "Too Good 4 job"
Senator Mead pointed out that Mr..
Jeffers was accused of doing ito
good a job on rubber" and that
Petroleum Administrator Ickes was
pretty well tied up on coal right
now"
Il would suggest that you take
over the high-octane gasoline prob
lens" the Senator told Mr.. Jeffers.
mo answer" replied the rubber
director.
"You said your job here would be
over shortly" continued Senator
Mead. Il though. my suggestion
might keep you in Washington a
little longer"
Il am mindful it might" replied
Mr.. Jeffers with a grin.
Accepting in "the same spirit in
which it was made" Undersecretary
Of War Patterson's statement yes
terday that the two would work to-
gether to break .bottlenecks, Mr..
Jeffers told the committee:
I'VE are both struggling to win
this war and have no other or per-
sonal motives"
First "Official Commendation."
Asserting that testimony heard
during the committees investigation
of Mr.. Patterson's charges that pref
erences granted rubber had seri-
ously interfered with 100-octane
gasoline production indicated he
and his associates have done our
job well-perhaps even too WELL"
Mr.. Jeffers added:
1T Is the first Official commenda-