Evening star., 1943-04-18
Truman Probers Urge
Strict Test Standard
For Ship Steel Plate
Comment Centers on
'Over-Rieid Inspection
Telegram Of Nelson

By the Associated Press.
A hold-the-line policy for steel
plate production, involving rigid ad-
herence to current specifica tions un-
less and until they are modified by
Government purchasing agencies
was put forward yesterday by men,
bers of the Truman War Investigate
ing Committee.
Taking the stand that ships and
equipment for Americas fighting
men must not be endangered by the
use Of material lacking in strength,
they said that If the standards are
higher than necessary they should
be lowered officially by the Navy,
Army and Maritime Commission, not
arbitrarily by steel company in
spectors.
Their comments centered on tele-
grams sent by War Production Chief
Donald M. Nelson to the steel plate
bills, saying that volume must be
maintained land over-rigid inspec-
tion practices could easily defeat
that end"
Burton Calls Issue Simple.
THE issue is pretty simple from
our standpoint" Senator Burton
Republican, of Ohio said.
I'VE aren't trying to write the
Navys specifications. But as long
as the Navy or the Army or the
Maritime Commission says they want
steel plate of certain specifications
we want to help them get it. If the
specifications are higher than are
actually needed. let the Govern
ment lower them, or allow bigger
volerances-and reduce the price
accordingly"
Senator Kilgore, Democrat, of
West Virginia suggested that Mr.
Nelson's telegram might be an in
dication that lower specifications
were likely to be ordered.
Maybe the specifications are too
stringent; I don't know" Senator
Kilgore said. But until they're
changed, they ought to be lived up
to. The exact results of the tests
should be put down and not faxed
and the steel should be clearly
marked so that it won't be used in
some place where it would prove
too weak for the service expected
of it."
Senator Ferguson. Republican, of
Michigan took similar stand, saw
ing that if the specifcatio appear
too harsh. the companies, neverthe-
less, should observe them while new
standards are worked out with the
Government.
The committee may lay before
Congress Monday a report on steel
production embodying the official
attitude of the WPB, Navy and Mar
ltime Commission on relaxation of
inspection specifications.
Questioned on Nelson Wire.
Hugh Fulton, committee counsel
told reporters yesterday such a re-
port Is in progress Of preparation
He was questioned about the action
OF Mr.. Nelson in telegraphing steel
companies not to lean over back
ward" in enforcing specification
rules lest it slow production OF
needed steel plate.
Although Mr.. Fulton declined to
discuss the report in advance, COM
m1ttee members who asked to re-
main anonymous said it was likely
the group would point out that it
Is up to the WPB, Navy and Mari
time Commission to fix the specih-
cations. with the committees only
interest lying in seeing that the
Government does not receive faulty
steel.
Representatives of the steel in
dustry, the War and Navy Depart
ments and the American Bureau of
Shipping discussed specifications
with WPB officials yesterday and
agreed to submit to the WPB later
suggested changes in specifications