Evening star., 1943-05-10
Cuts in Paper Waste
By Government Urged
In Report 10 House
Committee Recommends
Industry Be Recognized
As Essential to War
Earlier Story on Page Az.

Earlier Story on Page A-2.)
BY the Associated Press.
A congressional committee recon-
mended today that the War Pro-
duction Board take steps to prevent
waste and non-essential use OF
paper by the Federal Government
and that the War Manpower Com
mission designate the paper pro-
duction industry as an essential war
industry.
This action was taken by House
interstate commerce subcommittee
after it had been informed by WPB
Chairman Donald M. Nelson that
no further restrictions on the use
Of newsprint and print paper by
newspapers and magazines "are in
prospect before October l "unless
the newspapers fail to achieve" the
10 per cent reduction already Or
dered.
Beyond October /, Mr.. Nelson said
in statement read to the COM
mittee by an aide. "it is impossible
to forecast at this time what action
will be necessary"
rHSL open hearing.
The committee, headed by Repre-
sentative Boren, Democrat, of Okla
homa made its recommendations in
the form Of an interim report to the
House. 1t was ordered by the House
| last month to investigate plans for
the curtailnent of paper use and
the grade labelling of commodities
used by the public.
Today's was the first open hearing
the committee has held. Repre-
sentatives Brown, Republican, of
Ohio and Wolverton, Republican, of
New Jersey repeatedly criticized the
use Of paper by Government agen-
cies
Mr.. Brown accused the Govern
ment of being the principal waster
OF paper an accusation concurred
in by Donald M. Sterling, WPB con-
sultant on newspapers and publica-
tions, who read Mr.. Nelson's state
ment
Mr.. Wolverton complained that
paper restriction orders already
issued apparently were aimed at
civilians, with the Federal agencies
not being required to abide by them.
Nothing has been done Mr..
Wolverton commented, "to curtail
waste by the Government"
I'VE have been remiss," Mr. Ster-
| ling replied, adding that a program
would be worked out to curtail Gov
ernment paper use.
Il think the finest thing that can
be done is for the Government to
practice what it breaches" Mr..
Wolverton said
The suggestion that paper pro-
duction be declared an essential war
industry was made by Representa-
tive Halleck, Republican, of Indiana,
who sponsored the resolution which
ordered the investigation.
Ready to Offer Legislation.
w. G. Chandler, WPB director Of
printing and publishing, testified he
understood that pending VINO Or
ders did not recognize paper pro-
duction as essential. Both Mr.
Chandler and Arthur G. Wakeman,
WPB director of pulp and paper,
agreed with Mr.. Halleck that the
industry was essential.
Mr.. Boren said the committee was
ready to recommend new legislation
to aid WPB in cracking down on
Government paper users if the board
found legislation necessary. He
added, however, that WPB attor-
neys felt there was no need for new
legislation.
Designation Of paper production
as essential. Mr.. Boren told report
ers, was felt necessary in order to
guarantee full freedom of the
press" and to assure a supply of
paper for essential war and civilian
needs.