Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-06-09
BEHIND
THE NEWS
BY Paul
MalIon

w administration is having a
difficult time putting down
overly-enthusiastic interpreted
tons of the grand assault on
Europe, not only by the public
but in its own ranks.
D-Day was hardly over be-
fore business firms started call
inc the men they had loaned 10
the government for war work,
saving the war was almost
over, and they had better come
back as soon as possible TO
their regular jobs.
The treasury seemed skittish
that the public also might jump
TO the same conclusion in con-
nectior with the $4,000, 900. 1000
War Bond drive opening Mon
day.
Actually, however, il is UNI
likely matters will break in
either of these directions. The
dollar-a-year-or-more men will
be held to their jobs, and aus
pices for the bond drive are
bright.
WHILE the amount is S16,-
w O00,O00,000 1.-TWO billions
above last time), the people
have more cash than ever be-
fore piling up in banks. and
their enthusiasm h euld d be
lifted by the invasion TO the
point where the amount again
will be overSubscribed.
Bonds are the same as cash
these days, and there is no rea-
son why $4,000, 900, 900 should
have accumulated in bank de-
posits and $20,00O.0O0,000 more
in cash outside of banks Gas
carried in this column May 81
when these amounts can draw
greater interest.
But the administration itself
inwardly is far from prepared
10 meet the end of the war, or
even begin to meet it.
THE popular Baruch scheme
Il 10 transfer in dustry
smoothly and efficiently back
TO peacetime operations was
drawn up last December, made
public Feb. Is. but not until
May % were the beginnings of
action on il even family visible.
Then Charles f. Wilson. execu-
tive vice chairman of the War
Production Board was APP
pointed by overall stabiliZer
ByrneS to start work.
One contract termination bill
On urra y-George) has been
passed by Congress, but surplus
property legislation is just now
being devised for congressional
consideration.
The matter had reached such
a pltiful state that Mr.. Baruch.
who would stand practically
anything from the administra-
ton. was reported in the press
TO have presented This resigna-
ton, along with that of John
NJ Hancock, as the top two
men at the head of what was
supposed to be the postwar
policy-making committee, but
which appare thy has not
turned out TO be as powerful as
its paper authority.
The administration has sought
to keep the resignation story
from the press, possibly TO get
Messrs. Baruch and Hancock TO
change their minds.
The prospect now is that the
new Wilson leadership may
furnish the necessary impetus,
TO work the matter out but the
prospect is not as bright as it
was last Feb. Is when the
Baruch report was announced,
and every one was led to be-
lieve the matter was more or
less settled.
FLASHING personalities seem
~ responsible for the other
wise ineXplainable delay.
AT the top of the clash was
Mr. Wilson himself. He had the
substantial backing among gov
eminent officials from the be-
ginning as the man to lead the
Job. His supporters included Sec
rotary of the Navy Forrestal
and War Undersecretary Pat
terSon.
But Mr.. Wilson was only
WPB executive vice chairman to
Donald Nelson, whose friends
thought he should have the job.
Several times Mr.. Wilson
threatened to resign like Messrs.
Baruch and Hancock.
Apparently. the greatest
power of the supposedly power
full authorities of the govern
ment is resignation threat.
Messrs. Baruch, Hancock and
Wilson might have done better
if they had belonged to the CIO
as il was not until the CIO
unionists of the Brewster aero
nautical plant rushed down here
with irate complaints after their
company'S contract had been
Cancelled that any action was
taken on the Baruch report.
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Peas poryidss ket