Evening star., 1944-02-27

cataloging surpluses may be obtained
from the experience of the War Produc-
tion Board during recent shortage
OF valves revealed by the stepped-up
landing craft program. Service procure
ment officers said there was a great
scarcity and called for greatly increased
production. WPB launched an intensive
campaign to locate brass and steel
valves among contractors Nle country
over and uncovered literally hundreds
of thousands of new, unused ones, which
were sort OF lost in the gigantic war pro-
gram. After supplying immediate needs
there were enough steel valves alone left
over to make up a 98-page catalogue for
use OF other war contractors.
The valve incident illustrates the
need for immediate functioning of the
Surplus Property Administration. AN
immediate start on the problem" the
Baruch report states, could reduce
enormously the likely surpluses that
would be left over for the more diff
cult months after the war" The pos
sibility of using the materials to expand
civilian production would be another
dividend
Will Have Many Aides.
Mr.. Clayton will have the Surplus
Property Board to help in the big job.
The board will be composed of repre-
sentatives of the following agencies
concerned with the surplus problem:
War, Navy, Treasury, RFC, Maritime
Commission, WPB. Smaller War Plants
traitor, the Attorney General, State De-
partment and Foreign Economic Ad-
ministration.
The scope of the operation is shown
by this outline in the Baruch report OF
the functions of Mr.. Clayton and his
board
To lay down disposal policies to be
followed by all Government agencies
To press for the early disposal of sur
plus in as great quantity as possible
while the war is still going on and good
markets exist.
To see that complete plans are de-
veloped for handling the disposal prob
lens arising from contract termination.
To develop an effective redistribution
of surplus materials and equipment, to
improve both war and civilian produc-
ton
To develop with the armed services,
for the ultimate approval of the Presi-
dent and Congress, standby program
OF plants, equipment and other proper
ties needed to be held in reserve for fu-
ture security.
To plan for the handling of future
surpluses, as for foreign relief and re-
mobilization; for States, counties and
municipalities, educational and other
institutions, and other claimants.
Would Report to Congress.
In cooperation with the State De-
partment and FEA, to develop the pos
slbllitles OF disposing of surpluses abroad,
balancing this with the need of i'm
proving the efficiency of our own plants
and other domestic needs.
In cooperation with WPB, to develop
policy of stockpiling for the rest of
the war and afterward, keeping in mind
the problem of later disposal.
The surplus administrator, Mr.. Ba-
ruch said, having in mind the fact that
Congress ultimately will determine the
basic postwar policies in this field,
should maintain continuing study of
the entire problem and report to Con-
gress as soon as possible on needed
legislation.
Messrs. Baruch and Hancock sug-
gested four major outlets to handle &C
tual disposal of the several types Of
surplus properties, and Mr.. Clayton was
told In the executive order setting up
his office to follow this no+ter,. o.