Evening star., 1943-04-23
.GiI|etteGroup
1oProbe Latest
.Gas-RubberRowl'
Neutral OfficioIs Hit
Army's Planning Of
High-Octone Program
BY JAMES Y. NEWTON.

BY JAMES Y. NEWTON.
The long standing battle be-
tween military authorities and
Rubber Director William M. JET
fers over priorities for construc-
ton of aviation gasoline and
synthetic rubber plants, which
has smoldered and f1ared up in
official Washington for months,
finally was headed for a thorough
airing today with announcement
by Chairman Gillette of a Sen
ate Agriculture Subcommittee
that his group would investigate
the dispute at once.
Mr.. Jeffers demanded an investiga-
ton yesterday - and got it-of
charges made by Undersecretary OF
War Robert P. Patterson that the
air offensive against Germany was
being slowed because materials
needed to produce aviation gasoline
were being diverted to the rubber
program.
Supporting Mr.. Jeffers' side of the
argument, presumably neutral high
officials who did not wish to be in
volved in the controversy, declared
that the War Department planned
the aviation gasoline production pro-
gram poorly and expended supplies
OF crltlcal machinery last year which
could have been used to make high
octane instead of equipping chemical
and TINT plants which are used very
little.
Nelson Pledges Action.
Although refusing to be drawn
INTO the controversy, War Produc-
tlon Board Chairman Donald M.
Nelson pledged instant action" He
said high octane was first on WPB's
urgency list, and invited the Army
and Petroleum Administrator Ickes
to show specific steps that could be
taken to increase output.
mo one has yet come to me with
any suggestions that are specific"
Mr.. Nelson said. Let them tell as
where this equipment is (machinery
diverted from high octane to rub
ber) and exactly how the 100-octane
program can be stepped up. If
they'll do that, I can take action
instantly. I'm here for that pur-
pose."
Mr.. Nelson was asked whether he
would take the action if ways to in
crease combat gas production in
volved taking any equipment from
| synthetic rubber
I'D take it away in a minute"
he replied.
Baruch Group May Meet.
There was some possibility that
the committee headed by Bernard
M. Baruch, which last fall made the
rubber report leading to Mr.. Jeffers'
appointment, might be brought to-
gether again for new investigation
OF the rubber situation. 1t was re-
ported reliably that a month ago
MI. Nelson suggested such a move
to President Roosevelt The Baruch
committee, however, held they had
investigated the situation once and
that another one was unnecessary.
Mr.. Patterson's Office contended
there were specific cases where
planes used for operational training
in this country had been grounded
due to shortage of high octane, al
though declining to cite the in
stances. Actual combat planes are
used in 'operational training"
which is the final stage of pilot
preparation for war.
Mr.. Ickes backed up the Patterson
stand with the assertion that the
high-octane gasoline program had
been given "a sock in the jaw by an
increase in materials and equipment
ordered for the rubber plants several
months ago on authority of Eco
nomic Sterilization Director James
F. Byrnes.
Gillette Gives Views.
Mr.. Jeffers emerged from the pri-
critics fight with enough machinery
to complete about one half of the
rubber program.
This contention over the different
programs Is seriously hampering the
war effort" said Senator Gillette.
"All of the facts ought to be de-
veloped and We will call the officials
who can give us those facts"
Although the Gillette committee
took the investigative initiative,
Senator Burton, Republican, of Ohio
said he and other members of the
Truman War Investigating Com
mittee also stood ready to act If
necessary.
The neutral officials pointed out
that had it not been for the agita-
ton of Mr.. Jeffers months ago the
war effort might be faced with dis
aster today because Of an even
greater shortage of the machinery to
which Mr.. Patterson referred.
Mr.. Jeffers demanded more help
for his rubber program and got it
after battle which finally was set
tied at the White House. Later WPB
undertook to schedule orders and
production of scarce components
carefully and greatly stepped up the
output.
Use Same Equipment.
Virtually the same plant eouip-
ment Is used in production OF syn
thetic rubber and aviation gasoline.
Three months ago there were "a
component machinery parts which
were bottlenecks in production Of
rubber and plane fuel and, to les
ser degree, in production of anti.
submarine vessels and airplanes.
High among these were heat ex-
changers, valves and instruments OF
many sorts.
After inquiry, WPB reported today
that production Of valves had been
doubled in the last few months
stepped up from $500 tons month
to 7,00O-and will reach 10000 in less
(See RUBBER, Page A-3.)
Gov. Stussen Ordered
i To Active Navy Duty