Evening star., 1944-07-07
Nelson Reconversion
Plan Upheld by WPB
Labor Vice Chairmen
Ry LANES Y. NEWTON.

Asserting that there are materials,
plant facilities and manpower avail
able which could not be used for
war production. the two labor vice
chairmen of the War Labor Board
have issued report supporting the
position Of Chairman Donald M.
Nelson In advocating an immediate,
though modest, start In reconverting
industry to peacetime and civilian
production.
The report, issued by Joseph B.
Keenan, and Clinton Golden. for
merly high oficials IN the AL and
CIO, respectively, stated that NUM-
tions cutbacks already have created
some unemployment. Surveys show,
it continued, that the three in
gradients Of production-manpower,
facilities and materials-are avail
able in some areas of the country
where they could not possibly Be
used In war programs. "a .,y,
May Launch Program.
There were some indications,
meanwhile. that WPB might issue
orders putting the Nelson program
into effect, q program In which the
chairman called for gradual recon-
version to peacetime production In
areas where it could be done with
out interference to the war effort.
Mr.. Nelson would relax the civilian
ban on aluminium and magnesium
and allow all manufacturers to lay
the groundwork for return to peace
time pursuits by purchasing new
machine tools and other factory
equipment.
The Army and Navy and q num-
Der Of Mr.. Nelson's subordinates Bit
terly oppose the plan to relax war
time manufacturing restrictions and
it was learned the opposition is
based on the fear that such . pro-
gram might torpedo" the Nation
wide hiring controls invoked July l
by the War Manpower Commission.
Military omcials also were afraid
the plan might interfere with the
newly-expanded program for tho
production Of tanks, Army trucks
and naval troop transports.
The labor report, which was con-
fidential and addressed to all WPB
members, stated that hardship and
idleness already confront some
manufacturers and workers who can
not obtain war work.
Urge Partial Reconversion.
Mr.. keenan, and Mr.. Golden ad-
mitted that uncertainty over num-
ton production trends makes it i'm
possible now to authorize resump-
ton Of civilian manufacture on an
industry wide basis. The report
stated, however, that civilian needs
for some articles could be filled with
out interfering with the war II WPB
controls were eased.
The report said failure to absorb
production potentials not needed for
war would contribute to defections
from war industry since workers In
war plants wuold fear that they, too,
might be soon out Of jobs.
In no case, the labor men added,
should production for civilians be
allowed to interfere with war work.
They contended the Nelson pro-
gram provides ample safeguards
against this.
Military ofncials fear. 1t was said,
that once wartime controls are re-
Taxed and civilian production gets
rolling, it will be impossible to stop
its spread and serious interference
with the war effort will result.
They point out that q huge war
production job still confronts the
Nation and that battle experience
nearly every day brings q change In
emphasis on war programs. For ex-
ample, they pointed out, invasion
experience already has resulted In
greatly increasing the size of the
tank production program. They
added that . prospective shortage Of
fiat-rolled steel products has de-
veloped, one that may run as high
as 100000 tons 4 month, from new
Army-Navy estimates of need.