The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-01-13
Observations
Production of
Ships, Planes,
Break Records
NV Aeien ESgaFyl
tsy Helen Esssry)

OF 1874. WASHINGTON can promise
the American people continued
record-breaking production OF
planes and fighting ships, about the
same amount of food they had iu
1913. and al least slight easing
of the tight supply Of consumer
goods
The heaviest accent on war pro-
duCtiOn as the nation enters IT'S
third full year of conflict Will be-
that on planes and naval vessels,
which will account for about two
thirds of all battle manufacturing.
Planes are expected 10 reach a
rate OF 10000 in production a
month. for l20.O00-a-year total
compared with ~ to 81 thousand
believed made in 1913. Artillery
ammunition and heavy Army truck
production will he up
Production Of equipment for the
ground army Will be reduced in
1914. according to plan. and con-
sIruction Of Army bases and install
lations will drop to only third OF
work now has been done.
As for food, the war administra-
tion insists that American diets in
194i will equal INTENTIONALLY and
Quantitatiyely that of 1913 when
Americans remained the best-ted
people in the world There will
be slightly less meat, butter, cheese,
canned fruits and vegetables. about
the same amount Of fluid milk, more
eggs. poultry, potatoes, sweet pota-
toes. citrus fruit and cereal pro-
ducts.
The. V'PB has promised that any
time critical metal becomes avail
able ii will be turned over in 1914
to civilian uses Electric irons.
washing machines and mechanical
refrigerators. have been promised
in strictly limited production this
year and the WPB office Of civilian
requirements is expected to do
something about the lack OF alarm
clocks.
AS SHIPS OF ALL TYPES slide
down the ways and Join the United
States Navy IN unprecedented num-
hers. American fleet supremacy
I'm the Pacific becomes more marx
Cd day by day
Refusal Of the JapS To come out
for a major engagement OF the
main fleets has served to aid the
American Navy Even the best
authorities admit there could he
no ma jor engagement without some
losses on both sides.
Thus. under a building schedule
that allowed FOR losses that have
not occurred the Navy has expand
cd faster than expected The Japa-
nese. OF course. are probably build
ing. too. but experts doubt they
can build launch and commission
combat ships as fast as the United
States does.
The Jap high command must
know this. but apparently is help
less to do anything about II. Mean
while, the American feet is itching
for the final, big showdown battle
any place-any time.
BELIEVE 1T OR NOT, the ONCE
OF Price Administration is not in
quite so bad viii the people as it
was some time back
Price Administrator Chester
Bowles himself is authority for
that
while the public still dislikes
ratiOuing." BOw.es says, 1T is be
ginning 10 ask itself what condi-
tions would be without restrictions
of any kind Complaints against
rationing are on the down-grade.
But mail complaining about prices
has gained %
4 SMOLDE II c BATTLE over
recaptyre OF war profits is due TO
break into the open on the Senate
floor soon after Congress recon
venes.
Up to now, the fight has been
waged behind the locked doors Of
the House Ways and Means Com
mittee and the Senate Finance Com.
mittee during work on the new tax
bill
However. Sen. Harry $. Truman
Cd Of Missouri. chairman of tho
Senate special defense committee.
has promised TO stir up a virtual
witches brew. legislatiycly.
"lll fight changes with every
thing ] have, Truman says.
The question IS: How far should
Congress 90 in modify ing the war