Evening star., 1943-05-10
Civilian Supply
Administration
Bill Voted, ,44.29
Legislation Carries
Authority Equal
To Armed Services
Earlier Story on Page A-4.)

NLdIlICI StOTS OH L age A-4.J
By the Associated Press.
Legislation to set up an inde-
pendent civilian supply adminis-
tration with claims equal to the
armed services on goods and sup
plies needed for the home front
was passed today by the Senate
and sent to the House.
The vote was Al to %.
While opponents contended new
ly organized Office of Civilian Re-
quirements in the War Production
Board should be given a chance to
operate, Senator Maloney, Demo-
crat, of Connecticut, author of the
bill, declared a separate agency is
needed Immediately to assure pro-
duction and distribution of what is
required by our armed forces and
Allies to win the war"
The measure would empower an
administrator to determine needs for
rationing and to ascertain the types
and quantities of materials, man.
power and other services needed for
the civilian population.
McNary Opposes Passage.
Praising WPB Chairman Donald
Nelson for "a very good job Re-
publican Leader McNary asked the
Senate to reject the legislation.
Senator McNary said the Gov
ernment already has too many
agencies
Il certainly don't think it is neces-
sary to create a new agency to deal
with the civilian population he
said.
Senator McNary said the Civilian
Supply Division recently reorganized
by the War Production Board should
be given an opportunity to demon
strate ability to handle the supply
problem.
Would Reduce Laws.
Senator McNary said supporters Of
President Roosevelt should oppose
efforts to pile more work on his
| shoulders instead of relieving him
OF details. since a proposed czar
under the bill could, in disputes. ap-
peal adverse decisions to the Chief
Executive.
IF I had my way. I would repeal
some of the statutes now in existence
! and repeal some of the directives,
Senator McNary said. I'D have one
real czar or dictator to handle this
war problem
The Republican leader said Mr..
Nelson had appealed for time to
! demonstrate the effectiveness of the
new Office of Civilian Requirements
| under Arthur D. Whiteside, "and I
think he would be given this chance"
Il cannot criticize on the one hand
| the multiplicity Of Government
agencies dealing with production"
Senator McNary said land on the
other hand vote to bring new czar
into conflict with administrators al
ready operating in civilian fields"
Taft Disagrees
Senator Taft, Republican of Ohio,
disagreed with Senator McNary's
claim that new agency would fur
ther confuse the situation. Far from
| complicating it, he said, it will very
much simplify" the handling of the
problem.
Il think Mr.. Nelson is making
mistake in opposing the removal of
civilian supply functions to another
agency Senator Taft said. He
admits the civilian bureau we've had
hasn't done the job and yet he
wants to keep control"
Senator Taft contended that Con-
gress ought to go even further than
this bill' and set up war cabinet
(which would 60 out and settle dis
putes as they arise
I'VE are not taking anything
away from Mr.. Nelson as far as the
ALLEGATION of war materials is con-
cerned,' he added.
But we may be getting to the
point, when we set up an armed
force of 100000 men, beyond
which we cannot go in providing
munitions, foods and supplies. We
must keep the civilian machinery
running, and this complex machin-
cry requires the direction Of
| civilian administrator +"