Evening star., 1944-06-19
Nelson Calls For
Shift Of 100000
|1oWarJobAreas
Tells Truman Group
Reconversion Plans
Hinge on Compliance
BY JAMES Y. NEWTON.

ny JAlMES 4. NEWlON.
Chairman Donald M. Nelson
of the War Production Board
told the Senate Truman Com
mittee today that it was "abso-
lutely essential" for at least
100000 workers to shift to war
production areas of acute man
power shortages before there
can be much consideration given
to manufacture of civilian prod
uctS.
The 100000 workers are needed in
foundries and forge shops over the
country, and in plants making some
secret military devices, as well as
in West Coast ports, where ship
ping activity has increased greatly.
Mr. Nelson said that unless the
workers are obtained for war pro-
duction where needed, 1t might be
necessary to revoke his recent order
relaxing wartime restrictions on the
use of aluminium and magnesium.
Pins Hopes to New System.
He added that new controls would
be put on to prevent use of the
metals for civilian products if it
was found the new order prevented
the necessary shifts of workers.
Mr.. Nelson said that additional
workers in many important war in
dustries had been needed for some
time, but he believed the new man
power referral syStm which will go
into effect over the country July
will accomplish the purpose of sup-
plying war industries with man.
power.
The WPB chairman appeared be-
fore the committee to outline what
WPB has done to use surplus alumni
mum in the manufacture of goods
for civilians. The Truman group Is
investigating the aluminium pro-
duction and supply situation.
Mr.. Nelson said that the first
usage of surplus aluminium would
be in the production of household
items, such as kitchen utensils.
Can't Lift Steel Restrictions.
He said that early this year WPB
thought it would be able to lift war
restrictions on the use of steel by
July /, but that now this would be
impossible.
He said steel was in tight supply
at this time and he could not pre-
dict how soon it would be available
for the output of civilian goods.
Mr.. Nelson added, however, that
WPB planned to allow manufacture
of such things as sewing machines,
electric ranges, fans. vacuum cleans
ers, typewriters and washing ma
chimes just as soon as 1t could be
done without interfering with the
war effort.
He reiterated earlier statements
that the next three months would
be the most critical period the coun-
try has encountered so far in war
production, and that all energies Of
industry must be directed toward
supplying most urgent items needed
by the armed forces. Production Of
some of these weapons is now run
ming behind schedule.
Alcoa Officials Testify.
Officials of the Aluminium Co. OF
America told the committee their
firm has the ability to produce
about 500,000000 pounds of alumi-
mum per year above war needs. They
said their current production Is run
ming at the rate of 1,500 000, 900
pounds per year, compared with a
peak rate of 2,0O0,o0o.00o pounds
attained last year.
They said with no more man.
power than is now used in their
factories, the company could sup
ply 50,000,000 pounds of aluminium
per year for civilian products.
The Alcoa officials said they be-
lieved WPB release of restrictions
could enable the fabrication of even
heavy items for civilian use, such
as passenger trains and automo-
biles, without interfering with the
war effort.
R. S. Reynolds, president of the
Reynolds Metals Co., the second
largest fabricator of aluminium
products, told the committee the
Government should use the war
constructed aluminium plants to set
up two independent companies in
competition with Alcoa to assure
the free use of aluminium after
the war
Mr.. Reynolds said one of the COM
panies should be his own, while the
Government should sponsor the
formation of the other through a
combination of the large users of
aluminium.
Committee Wants Restraints Eased.
The Truman Committee has de-
manded the removal of all Govern
ment restraints on civilian produc-
ton which can utilize surplus ma
terials, unskilled workers and idle
plants
Senator Ferguson, Republican, Of
Michigan said it was imperative that
new parts be manufactured at once
for automobiles and trucks and that
production of farm machinery be
expanded.
Thousands of automobiles are
being abandoned every day for lack
of parts to keep them running" he
said. The committee feels that
this work can be undertaken with
out interfering with any necessary
war work. The same is true of house.
hold articles of simple nature.
mo one believes the time is here
to make lot of complicated items
like automobiles, radios and electric
refrigerators, but thought must be
given to their production when the
opportunity arrives. In the mean
time, there are many simple items
than can be undertaken"