Evening star., 1944-01-18
o less essential civilian produc-

ton.
Referring to the men who play
into the hands of 'would-be Hit
lers." Mr.. Nelson told his dinner
audience These are the men who
make up our pressure groups, who
seek to make big profits out of the
war, or who produce our wartime
strikes"
William L. Bait, WPB vice chair
man and active member of the
Combined Resources and Production
Board, was toastmaster at the din
ner. Vice President Wallace, Lord
Halifax, British Ambassador, and
the Canadian Ambassador, Leighton
Mccarthy, also spoke, praising Mr.
Nelson's accomplishments both as
chairman of WPB and member of
the Combined Board.
Mr.. Nelson, reviewing two years
OF WPB, pointed to, productive
achievement which has staggered
the imagination of the world" He
paid tribute to the spirit of Coop
Grafton among production represent
atives of the United States. Canada
and the United Kingdom.
This experience, he said, has
taught us new techniques for work.
ing out our joint problems, and
l am convinced is only the first
chapter of the story which the fu-
ture will write of the economic CO.
operation of the United Nations in
peacetime.
Cites Moscow Parley.
IN particular" he emphasized,
Il am confident that the principles
which have made American rela-
tions with England and Canada
such a good omen for the world
can operate successfully between us
and the Russians in the days to
come. " In my talks with Marshal
Stain. Mr.. Molotov, and other
members of the Soviet government,
I found rugged realism and self
respecting forthrightness which
convinced me that we can do busi-
ness with Russia to our benefit. to
Russia's benefit, and to the lasting
benefit of the world"
After the threat of international
Fascism has been destroyed, Mr..
Nedson predicted the great powers
for the first time in human expe-
rience will be in position to lay
the foundations of the protected
peace, of the security and freedom
for which our people yearn."
Balanced Judgment Urged.
In his review of war production,
Mr.. Nelson stressed the Importance
of dynamic balance" necessary for
supplying both military and civilian
requirements. But he predicted that
IN facing the problems of recon-
version to manufacture of civilian
needs "our responsibility to the peo-
pile will be even heavier than be-
fore"
"A balanced judgment on prob
lens of reconversion will be essen
tial TO the economic and social
health of America in the period
ahead" he stressed. Emphasizing
there must be consideration for all
factors, concerns and people in
volved in reconversion, he said: Il
can assure you that plans are being
crystallized, and we will be ready to
act when the time is ripe for ac-
ton"
Emphasis on Invasion.
Rejecting the changing tides of
war, which shift production, Mr..
Nelson said WPB now was think
ing less about deserts, and more
about the coasts of Western Europe.
I'm recent months" he said, EN-
phasis has been shifted to landing
craft, SO that our troops can en-
gage in large scale amphibious war
fare"
Two years had resulted in $780,
000,000,000 of war production and
construction in this country. he re-
ported. This involved nearly 134, 900
planes, 27,000,000 deadweight tons of
merchant shipping, more than s.
100000 displacement tons of naval
shipping, $4,000 pieces of artillery,
over 1,160,000,00 rounds of artillery
ammunition, $4,000 tanks and other
combat vehicles and over 1,200, 900
military trucks.
Mr.. Nelson was presented with q
large map on which was shown his
Journeys over the world.
An orchestra, made up of WPB
employees, played, under the direc-
ton Of Van Tier 1Hnins.