Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-16
Nelson
Continued From First Page. }

Into his Office this morning and in
formed him that he had decided to
ask for his resignation and turn his
duties over to Mr.. Wilson. The
spokesman said he did not know
whether Mr.. Eberstadt had agreed
to turn in his resignation.
But, the spokesman continued he
did not understand that Mr.. Eber-
stadt had any choice in the matter
Mr.. Nelson simply informed him of
the action.
In his statement released to the
press, Mr.. Nelson said:
Il have made this move in order
to solve organiza tional problems
which have come about because
carefully scheduled production now
is the most pressing problem be-
fore us.
at is my conviction that this
change will bring harmony to WPB
and end the jurisdictional questions
which, if permitted to continue,
could only hamper the war effort.
"Mr. Eberstadt has worked hard
and diligently in setting up the
controlled materials plan and I re-
greet the circumstances which make
It necessary to transfer his func-
tons to another. However, Mr.. Will
son Is production man and our job
today is primarily a production job
Production Man" Needed.
Because our entire effort must
now center about the production
line, and because this involves the
closest control over scheduling, it il
essential that two things be true
first. that production man be II
full charge, second, that all related
problems be within the jurisdiction
of that production man.
I'm the early days of this organi
cation and its predecessors, we faceC
problems of a somewhat differen
nature. Even few months ago. tn,
problem of controlling material
flow was of major Importance. I
does not now lose any of its i'm
portance, but the emphasis ha
shifted; scheduling-bo Of ent
items and components-is the over
all job of first Importance that mus
be pushed.
And because the total war pro
gram has become more closely in
tegrated it follows that the MAI
in charge Of production cannot dis
charge his duties adequately unles
he also controls the flow Of material
into production channels.
In Other. words, materials cOntro
aud YNrni1lp+iN,N rn,N+rp1 80.
all one integrated job. They canno
be considered separately.
Full Authority" to Wilson.
Under my supervision Mr.. vii
son will have full authority to max
the necessary decisions to carry GU
the WPB production programs fc
aircraft, escort vessels, rubber. higl
octane gas. merchant vessels and a.
other war items. l am confiden
that he will continue to keep pro
ductlon going up
Mr. Nelson expects shortly to &c
Mr. Eberstadt's staff together, in
GLIDING the division heads and chic
executive officials, and explain t
them the necessity for the actor
the spokesman said.
Mr. Nelson's statement did nc
amplfy his reference To "jurisdiC
tional questions" but the spokeSma
ssid that as matters stood Mr.. Mel
son had two strong people undo
HIM on an equal level of authorit,
Mr. Wilson doing productio
scheduling job, Mr. Eberstadt ma
terials ALLEGATION job"
They saw things differently 2
times, as you all know" the spokeS
man said Mr. Nelson had TO max
g choice and he chose the produc
ton man"
Army Civilian Strugsle.
Observers had regarded the cor
troversy within WPB as funds
mentally struggle between arme
service officials and civilian advC
Gates for control Of the war produt
ton program. The basic issue W.
whether the Army Navy grol
should be allowed 10 have all r
material they asked for. or wheth,
there should be some civilian rein
Mr.. Eherstsdt was regarded as