The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-02

ing violated, that no consid-
Grafton was given to manpower al
locations, that most efficient plants
we're closed down while least eff
cient plants were kept in operation,
that preference was shown privately
owned plants over government
owned plants, that preference was
shown to the older and more es-
tablished plants in the east over
newer plants in the middle west.
Specific layoffs which Nixon listed
were these
$4,000 at U. S. Cartridge Com
pany, st. Louis, Mo. (governmenD.
1900 at Western Cartridge Com
pany, East Alton, I'll, (private).
$500 at Twin City Ordnance,
Minneapolis, Mimi, government.
5000 at Evansville Ordnance,
Evansville, Ind, (private).
1000 at Des MONIES Ordnance,
Des Moines, Ia, government.
$500 at Denver Ordnance, Den
yer, Colo, government.
$500 at Remington Arms, Bridge
port, Conn. (private).
VARIOUS AMMUNITION TYPES
While these figures are confirmed
by War Department and Man.
power officials, hey do not appear
to tell the whole story, and closer
look a. the entire small arms pro-
duction picture today helps clarity
this situation and illustrates some
of the problems that keep procure
ment, production and manpower
officials In a sweat, not just in this
one industry, but in al war plants.
There are three sizes and three
types of small arms ammunition
80, AS and .50-caliber ball, armor-
pericing and incendiary. Not all
plants make all types, but some
make more than one.
Demands for the various types
vary with the tactical situation.
Some campaigns use less than was
anticipated, and SURPRISES develop.
When SURPRISES develop, what do
procurement Officesr do-stop pro-
duction regardless of where 1t may
hit, to save the taxpayers money,
or keep on full production to keep
employed?
Total employment in all small
arms ammunition plants as of jan
uary 81 was 92,700. Total cutbacks
scheduled must, unfortunately, lay
of Al 300 men, or about As per cent
of the working force.
LAYOFF FIGURES
On cutbacks in the industrial
east, which are in Class I, critical
manpower shortage areas. layofs
at Remington in Bridgeport will be
from $500 to 1900, at Winchester
in New Haven from $500 to LOO.
The total layoffs will be 1900 out
Of 100. or q 60 per cent layoff,
which is greater than the cut in
the west. Both these cutbacks, it
should be pointed out, are In pri-
vate plants.
That does not appear to be the
whole story, either. In July, 1913,
employment on small arms ammu-
milton at Winchester was 6,700, soon
to be cut to LOO. or over 80 pei
cent; while employment at Reming-
ton was 10000, soon to be cut to
1900, or IS per cent. SO the east,
in tight manpower areas, has taken
more of q cut than the midwest.
The four government-own plants
ut ST. Louis, Salt Lake City. Den
YER and Minneapolis. employing
$4,000 out of $4,000 small arms am
munition workers, will be cut back
to $4,000, or 81 per cent.
War supply Is admittedly the
most tickle business in the world.
REIMBURSEMENT of these varying de-
mands isn't easy. In this process
some peop'e are going to get hurt
A perfect solution to every situa-
ton may not be possible, but this
today is tn number one problem Of
the Production Executive Commit
tee, made up of the top procure
ment officials in Washington.