Evening star., 1943-04-14
Jeffers Backs Plan
For Separate Agency
To Supply Civilians
Rubber Administrator
Suggests Farm Executive
As New Director
BY J. A. O'LEARY.

Rubber Director William M. JET
fers came out fatty today in favor
of establishing separate civilian
supply administration, contending
that home front requirements have
not been looked after"
His testimony before the Senate
Banking Committee was in contrast
with that of the heads of some other
war agencies who testified previously
on the Maloney bill, introduced on
behalf of the Small Business Com
mittee, to set up an agency to devote
itself primarily to civilian needs
under the overall supervision of
Economic Sterilization Director
James F. Byrnes.
The rubber director began by
reading letter he wrote in Feb
ruary in response to the inquiry OF
a Senator, in which he said he was
not in favor of separate civilian
supply organization.
In Favor on Bill.
Taking the stand today, however.
he said, II am definitely in favor
of the pending bill. He told re-
porters after the hearing his expert
ence as rubber director during the
last two months has convinced him
such an agency is necessary.
Although the proposed Civilian
Supply Administration would be
under the supervision of Mr.. Byrnes,
it would have its own administrator
and Mr.. Jeffers approved such an
arrangement, provided two
fisted" official were appointed.
Il know it is stated that civilian
needs are being looked after, but I
don't think So Mr.. Jeffers told the
committee, land 1 don't think they
will be unless an Office is created for
the purpose. I know of no more i'm
portant war front today than the
home front"
Suggests Director.
Mr.. Jeffers said the head of the
new agency should be "a man like
Earl Smith, head of the Illinois farm
groups" tMr. Smith is president of
the Illinois Agricultural Associa-
tom
Mr.. Smith understands business,
big and little, as we'll as farming"
Mr.. Jeffers testified. Il feel the all
important thing is to. get the right
man on the job.
L haven't talked with Smith. He's
the type of leader We need, not nec-
essarlly the man, but the type"
In earlier hoo rinoc Nov N6or,o,,,o~
Chairman McNutt said he was not
prepared to indorse a separate civil
ian supply agency, and War Produc-
ton Chief Donald Nelson cautioned
against division of authority.
Should Have Power.
In response to committee questions
Mr. Jeffers said the status of the
civilian supply administrator should
not only be equal to" the heads of
other agencies but he should be in
position to argue for civilian re-
quirements as against any other or
ganization in the Government If he
is the right sort of fellow he will do
that. He will get into trouble, but he
will get something done"
Earlier in his testimony Mr..
Jeffers said:
eff there is any weakness in the
present setup, it is the very obvious
weakness that civilian supply prob
lens have been overlooked
He referred to the questionnaires
sent to farmers months ago to deter
mine their gasoline requirements
and farm machinery needs as COM
plicated." Those questionnaires were
the subject of an earlier inquiry by
another Senate committee. Such
occurrences, the witness said, all
add up to one answer, that the civil
ian has not been repreSented."