Evening star., 1945-10-07
Nationwide Surye,
Indicates Smooth
Postwar Transition

American industry will reconvert
to peacetime basis with mini
mum Of economic disruption, a
Nation survey conducted by
the Committee for Economic De-
velopment indicates.
The CED released nearly 900 in
dividual reports from its representa-
tives throughout the country. An
overwhelming tone OF optimism per-
vaded these statements, and chair
men of the local CED committees
generally believed the Nation is
well on its way toward the CED
objective of from 100000 to 10,-
000, 900 more jobs and 80 to As per
cent greater production than in
1910.
Principal deterrents to reasonably
full employment within the next
year, the survey showed, would be
a wave of strikes, unfavorable leg
islation and failure to remove Gov
ernment controls.
Spot Check, Not Forecast.
In a press conference held in con-
nection with the survey last week,
Paul G. Hoffman, chairman of the
CED and president of the Stude-
baker Corp, and Walter D. Fuller,
chairman of the CEDs field develop
ment division, pointed out the in
diyidual reports represented a spot
check of the Nation and were not
to be interpreted as a forecast.
They reflect the plans of bust
nessmen rather than estimates oil
employment levels" Mr.. Hoffman
said.
Mr.. Hoffman said national en-
ployment will be very satisfactory
If industry can provide between
So 900 900 and $4,000 900 jobs in the
peacetime era.
That is what economists woulc
call full employment" he said.
Need More Retail Stores.
i Mr.. Hoffman said there was neec
for 100000 more retail establish.
ments in the country.
Whether they will be set up" h,
said, depends on whether we hav'
the proper environment for start
ing new businesses"
Mr.. Fuller said the impetus pro-
vided by the CED and other privat,
organizations as well as Govern
ment agencies was largely response
BILE for the advance planning don,
| by businessmen during the wa
years.
He cautioned. however, that tn
, reports collected by the CED ar
! mot necessarily cause for optim
r ism," but constitute rather IAN of
/ fering of timely and useful infor
, nation"
The reports showed that amons
81 large cities, reconversion was vel
underway in IS. with no major un
, employment problems indicated
Three cities estimated reconversior
, would take about three months; q
cities, including Washington, salt
it would take six months, and l.
thought it would take year. Thir
: teen did not estimate the time re
quired for full reconversion, on
! said the peak Of unemployment
!, would be reached in 1947, and i
!, said they could not foresee the tim
when all unemployed could b
absorbed into local industries.
Little Unemployment Here.
i, The report for Washington wa
submitted by Eugene Meyer, chair
= man of the CED Committee here
Mr.. Meyer said local studies indi
! Gated there would be "a minimum
of unemployment in the Washing
ton area and that there may be
considerable shortage in skille
, workers. particularly in the con
! struction field
y Mr.. Meyer said there were aboy
i $4,000 persons employed in tn
\ area on September 81. The Unite
States Employment Service at tha
time reported 1000 unemployed
- with $4,000 jobs available and man
+. others not reported. The unem
: ployment peak, Mr.. Meyer said, ca
4 be expected here next February G
e March.
: The Maryland CED chairman,
e Howell Griswold, jr., said there wer
. more jobs open in Baltimore tina
there we're registered unemployed
n Peak unemployment" he salt
will depend not on local condition.
e but on national conditions and leg
O islation."
r No Problem in Richmond.
= Richmond, Va, reported no un
n employment problem and said
If did not expect one during the re
conversion period. Norfolk pointe
y out its problems were largely de
4 pendent on Government establish
n