Evening star., 1944-09-29
By JAMES Y. NEWTON,
Star Staff Correspondent.

DETROIT, Sept. 29.-Henry
Ford II said today his company
already had been informed Of
huge cutbacks of war work in its
plants when Germany is defeat
ed and is moving ahead to pro-
duce new automobiles within 90
days after We day.
Mr.. Ford said the firm already had
equipment on hand to permit limited
production of cars and had been ap-
prised by military procurement off,
cials Of the type and extent Of the
war production cutbacks to come
with the end of the war in Europe
This was in contrast to other auto
mobile manufacturers who demand
ed Government help in acquiring
plant tools for reconversion and ap-
peared uncertain as to extent of
their cutbacks
conversion problems of the automo-
bile industry, the youthful executive
disclosed that the company's ord
nance contracts, already heavily
slashed. would be virtually eliminat-
ed on We dayS production Of B-24
bombers reduced two-thirds and the
firms output Of aircraft engines
cutback considerably.
Ford Wants Willow Run.
While the company is in relatively
good shape for a new start in car
making, Mr.. Ford indicated there
was considerable plant conversion
that must be done to attain volume
production
On the subject of the future of
Willow Run, the huge Government
owned bomber plant operated by
Ford. he said his grandfather still
intended to acquire the property for
manufacture of tractors and farm
machinery.
Mr.. Ford expressed confidence the
company's employment rolls would
remain high during reconversion.
He added that Fords postwar en-
plOyment level would be higher than
in wartime AS one illustration, he
said the firms administrative stan
had increased from 900 to 1000 dur
ing the war, and must be increased
further for the winding up of war
business and resumption of normal
operations.
News correspondents Yesterday
heard top automobile executives de-
mand that their industry and others
converted entirely to war work be
given priority on reconversion.
As expressed by c. E. Wilson, presi-
dent of General Motors Corp, and
concurred in by the others, the in
dustry should be given special con-
sideration' by the Government in
reconversion.
Wilson Wants Priorities.
Mr.. Wilson pointed out that the
situation in his industry Is in sharp
contrast to that of others. such as
steel and farm machinery, where
there will be no reconversion prob
lens. since they Will continue max
ing the same product.
He asked for a priority over other
civilian production in procurement
of machine tools; assistance by
Government to machine toolmak-
ers in filling such orders; formula
tion OF more definite policies for
clearance Of Government owned
equipment and materials from
plants after We day, including pro-
vision of storage space for the sur
plus property.
Leaders of the industry counted
on heavily by Government planners
to cushion the Nations unemploy-
ment problem, when war contracts
are cut of. were critical of a lack of
firm decision among Federal Off
cials in dealing with reconversion
matters.
Highly Critical of Bureaus.
They said, for example, that al
though the War Production Board
two months ago issued an order de-
signed to permit car makers to be-
gin acquisition of machine tools for
normal operations, officials had not
followed through with action neces-
sary to make it possible.
The executives also were highly
critical of conflicting orders they
said were received from various
bureaus in Washington with "over-
tapping authority"
Mr.. Wilson and K. T. Keller. presi-
dent of Chrysler Corp, warned that
Government bungling and lack of
decision would delay reconversion of
their industry for months.
3 Mr.. Wilson said General Motors