Evening star., 1943-03-11
.SomerveII Warns
Services Of Supply
Against Bickering
Patterson Reps Reports
Army Seeking Control
Of Civilian Economy

"A DIullt warning DN LII. zen.
/ Brehon B. SomerveH, commanding
| general of the Army Services of
Supply. to avoid pickering among
themselves and with other agencies
today confronted military and civil
ian personnel of the SOS.
Gen. Somervell issued the warning
in sharply statement read
yesterday at press conference
called to mark the end of the first
year Of the Services OF Supply
which is being renamed the Army
Service Forces
we must not fall into the pitt
falls Of empire building and juriS-
dictiOnal jealousies, he declared.
Much of our work throws us in
contact with other agencies. our
Allies, the Navy, civilian bureaus
and departments. other branches of
the War Department. Our relations
with these are the best"
avoid Useless Bickering."
Telling the personnel that they
may become impatient with delays
that cooperation with other
agencies inevitably entails" Gen.
Somervell added
Let us not under any crcum-
stances be irked by these contacts
let us not become intolerant Of their
views and problems and let us not,
under any provocations, no matter
how great, be drawn into useless
pickering which turns our blood into
bile and taunts us into anger against
those with whom We should work
in harmony"
Gen. Somervell said that, with the
cooperation of the War Production
Board, we will carry out our re-
SponSibilitleS under the controlled
materials plan" Although saying
he understood the sos preparations
for carrying out the plan was su-
perlor TO that of any other agency
IN Washington, he warned that it
has not yet perfected its organiza-
ton.
Confident Plan Will Work.
However," he added, Il am still
confident that the controlled ma
terials plan will work and must be
made to work. Recent changes in
the WPB have not affected this
picture and I am convinced we can
count on its cooperation.
Undersecretary of War Robert P.
Patterson interrupted to say that
any report that the Army advo-
Gates military control of the civilian
economy is utter nonsense" The
interruption came after reporters
had questioned Gen. SomerveN con-
corning stories that an instructor at
a special course for civilians at the
Army Command and General Staff
School had forecast that possibility.
Amy notion that there is any
doctrine taught at that school on
general control of the civilian econ
omy IS, of course, utter nonsense"
Mr.. Patterson declared.
Accomplishments Cited.
Gen. Somervell listed the follow
ing as accomplishments of the sos
during its first year:
Procured $1,000, 100000 worth of
supplies and equipment for the
Army.
Inducted, classified and assigned
more than 100000 men and fed,
clothed and housed them.
Constructed Sc, 600, 900 900 worth of
military facilities.
Moved more than 100000 men
and 100000 tons of supplies.
Redesigned old weapons to obtain
greater efficiency and established
production control methods which
give maximum flexibility in meeting
the changing demands of war.
New problems that lie ahead, Gen.
Somervell said, included procure
ment, getting supplies to men in the
field of battle, management and
effective use of personnel.
Gen. Somervell said that ION the
whole" the country was in good
shape in regard to procurement, and
that we have met the needs for
supplies and equipment" He warned,
however, that it would be necessary
to continue the drive to get deliv-
cries at an increased tempo.