Evening star., 1945-08-10
|WPB Rushes Special
Reconyersion Plans
|0n Good War News

The possibility of Japan's sudden
capitulation led the Government to-
day to rush finishing touches on an
emergency reconversion plan.
| Hustling to keep apace OF cli-
mactic developments in the Pacific
the War Production Board put in
secret circulation, among top off,
cials, special program to speed
complete transfer of industry from
war to peacetime output.
In preparation some time for use
on vi day. the plan has been
pushed rapidly into its final stages,
since 1t appeared that the atomic
bomb and Russia's entry into the
war might end hostilities sooner
than had been expected.
WPB withheld details until 1t
could be approved by War Mobiliza-
ton Director Snyder, but officials
familiar with 1t said the plan is
designed to cushion as much as
possible, the impact of sudden
surrender on industry.
Truman's Plan Is Key.
There is no plan that would
eliminate all the industrial aches
and pains that inevitably will re-
suit from the end of the war,
whether it comes now or in six
months" said one official.
He added that keystone of the
program will be the five-point re-
conversion program laid down yes
terday by President Truman in
letter to WPB Chairman Krug.
This called for removal of produc-
ton and materials controls "as soon
as they are no longer needed"
Mr.. Truman stated, however, that
some restrictions will have to be
continued in order to achieve in
the end unprecedented civilian
production"
Mr.. Truman set forth two main
reconversion principles in directing
that private business be given every
opportunity to exercise its ingenuity
and forcefulness in speeding the re-
sumption of civilian production
=" ." These were:
/. WPB has a clear grant of
authority to use its wartime prior
tiles to help crack any bottlenecks
that may develop to impede con-
sumner goods production.
Sterilization Protected.
2. In removing production and
materials controls, the agency should
make sure that such action will
have no adverse effect on the price
wage stabilization program.
The first point resolves a dis
agreement within WPB as to
whether the agency has authority
to channel materials and control
production in the civilian goods
field, once military necessities had
been met.
Specifically, the President di-
rected WPB to expand production
of scarce materials needed for the
war or civilian goods, limit manu-
facture of products for which ma
terials are in short supply, prevent
speculative boarding of materials,
and to use priorities to break civ
ilian production bottlenecks.
Sides With OPA.
In directing WPB to take into con-
sideration the effect of its actions
on the cost of living, Mr.. Truman
sided with the OPA in sharp dis
pute between the two agencies.
WPB had contended that its func-
ton was to eliminate controls as
soon as supply warranted. OPA
said, in effect, that controls must
stay in any case where removal
would be threat to the price line
However, OPA officials did not see
the Presidents order as a clear cut
victory for the agency. They noted
that it applied only to scarce ma
terials" necessary for 'low-priced
items"
These officials predicted new dis
putes may arise over just what ma
terials and products should 60 into
these categories.