Evening star., 1944-05-30
Reconyersion Laws
Demanded Now al
Governors Farley
Kelly Of Michigan Coils
Issue Next in Importonc'
To Winning War
BY GOULD LINCOLN,
Star Staff Corresnnndent

HARRISBURG, Pa, May 3d.
Addressing the Governors Con-
ference today, Gov. Harry F.
Kelly of Michigan, the State
which manufactures one-tenth
of Uncle Sans entire war pro-
duction, called on Congress to
enact without further delay leg
islation for an orderly reconver-
sion of industry to peacetime
production when the war is won.
The meeting of the Governors, at
which Bernard M. Baruch, adviser
Of the Office of War Mobilization,
was a special guest, was held in the
Senate chamber of the State capi-
tol. With the exception of the
speech of Gov. Kelly, who presided,
the proceedings were executive"
The Michigan Governor insisted
that neither the State, local gov
ernments nor industry can make
their plans until the policies OF the
Federal Government are determined.
Pace Declared Too Slow.
Pointing out that 10000 prime
contracts already have been can
celed, Gov. Kelly said the average
time for settlement between the
Government and the contractors was
between six and eight months.
Clearly, this is too slow pace to
meet problems which will arise when
we pass out of manpower shortage
to a potential manpower surplus"
he said.
Gov. Kelly praised the Baruch re-
port, but said its recommendations
in important particulars are still
awaiting action.
That report, he said, recommends
that everything being done by the
executive branch of the Government
should be brought together under
a single, unforgetful mind" and
that Congress should have a single
committee to deal with legislation
affecting reconversion.
Congress must act" Gov. Kelly
said. Executive orders which can
be changed every 20 minutes are not
enough. Congress must consider
legislation on this subject as second
only to legislation necessary to win
ming the war.
Creation of Committee Urged.
I'VE are now at the mercy of Con-
gress. We cannot plan for recon-
version until Congress acts
This Michigan Governor recon-
mended the creation of committee
of Governors to keep in close con-
tact with the problem of reconver-
sion of industry.
The Governors came to Harrisburg
early today from Hershey, where at
their state dinner last night they
listened to Gov. Thomas E. Dewey
OF New York, prospective Repub-
llcan nominee for President, predict
that a united American people will
go forward to greater things.
O'C0nOr Discusses Security.
At the same dinner, Gov. Herbert
r. O'Conor of Maryland, discussing
social security in the postwar era,
attacked Capitalization of power in
the hands of the Federal Govern
ment and urged the States to re-
assert and resume their full respon-
sibllities to the people. 1t was
fortnight States rights speech.
Gov. Dewey told his audience that
the domestic affairs of the Nation
must be SO managed in the future
as to prevent "the Capitalization
which brought totalitarianism to our
enemies"
He strongly urged, too, that
American postwar foreign policy be
so conducted that disasters like the
present war shall not occur.
The New Yorker said that the
States have individually and COL
lectively met the challenge of war.
The result" he said, "is the be-
ginning of revival that goes down
to the roots of America.
Revival of Growth.
1T is revival of groWth-the
principle of growth in our common
life. 1t is new willingness to face
the future without prejudice, with
open eyes and eager minds. It is a
determination to do a good job and
not to pass the buck. This is not a
matter of States rights. 1t is a
matter of affirmative acceptance of
local responsibility. 1t is significant
mat the members of this group of
Governors are largely in early mid
ole lie. You are not tired by long
oolng. You are fresh for great tasks
ahead
With the help of the driving in
nuence of the men in this room.
mere will be determination never
(see GOVERNORS, Page A-5J