The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-01-03
Michigan in
Washington
BY Esther Van Wagner ruhy

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The Bsruch report due early in
the new year, may be good news
for many a Michigan manufacturer
who eagerly awaits the post war
period Tor a return to civilian pro-
duction. Because II may mean a
green light right now for civilian
Manufacturing even before the
Germans and Japs are defeated as
the Baruch group is Of the opinion
that its better for the national Geo
nomy to resume gradually the tran.
sition from wartime TO peacetime
production.
That will not be an easy task
Consider the problem of selecting
which companies should continue
on war work while their competi-
tors are allowed TO return TO
peacetime production basis. It's
possible some quota system will
be worked out TO avoid unfair.
ness, Certainly, Mr.. Bernard
Baruch will protect the industries
still producing for the government
aAllNl ludu CIV lllOu NuCtOIUtIE.
The many sub-contractors in
Michigan may be among the first to
return to their normal activities
II is recognized that the more plan
that do, the less the confusion at
the hour when war ends.
OF course, the picture changes
daily. Certain critical materials
are becoming not critical Many
a war contract will be cancelled
before unconditional surrender be-
comes a headline. And all needs
are based on how long the war will
last.
Many fear that the Baruch re-
port may add to the complscency
OF the country already too certain
the war is about over.
Many in Washington see political
significance in the timing of the
film depicting Eddie" Ricken-
hackers life during the summer
when the Republicans In conven-
ton will be picking presidential
and vice presidential candidates.
Some say war hero would be
vote getting bet for the vice presi-
dent spot. That this particular
flier, with a name known in every
American household. would rally
what's left of the inflationists and
all of the America First movement
because he along with Colonel
Lindbergh were most outspoken in
favor OF the movement prior to
Pearl Harbor. But Rickenbacker,
who calls Detroit his home town,
would not be a popular choice for
the party who are mere information
ally-mnded. Or with others who
desire New York Governor Dewey
for the presidential candidate and
realize that Michigan could not pos.
sibly claim both candidates to top
the Republican ticket.
Naturally, Democrats are sus.
picious OF this forthcoming film.
It's political dynamite. So we
hear plenty of talk about the dang
err Of including Rickenbacker
visits to Germany just before the
OulDTGdh VI luC VI VI us ltpOi
to certain London officials which
followed; and shots OF international
figures such as Churchill and
Chang Kai Shek; OF the court ma
terisl Of General Billy Mitchell for
| demanding a separate air force.
Anyway wartime censorship will
demand that the State. War and
Owl have a gander at the film be-
fore release, so no ticklish diploma
tic shots will he included.
Solid Fuels Administrator Harold
Ickes reports that coal forwarding
on the Great Lakes have been re-
duced by severe weather TO mere
trickle.
Preliminary reports on forward.
ags to the west bank OF Lake
Michigan showed that up TO De-