Evening star., 1945-04-01

Director of War Mobilization
and Reconversion James F.
Byrnes made public today his
second report to the President
and the Congress which he has
submitted in accordance with the
War Mobilization and Recover
sion Act.
- The report points out the ac-
celerated progress of the war
since the submission of the first
report on January l, 1945. 1t is
submitted with high hope for
early victory in Europe, mixed
with profound sorrow at the sac
rifices which must be made to
accomplish this victory and to
defeat Japan"
The report points out that CO.
ordinated, concentrated efforts
by the production and procure
ment agencies have accomplished
much in bringing critical war
programs into increased produc-
ton. However, while the output
in critical items was increased II
per cent in January over De-
cember, and 9 per cent in Feb
ruary over January, actual out
put was still 4 per cent below
schedule in January, and per
cent below schedule in February.
Moreover, the gain in critical
programs was made somewhat at
the expense of other items of
munitions, as munitions produc-
ton, as a whole, was lower in
February than for some time.
Civilian Labor Force
Reduced BY 100000.
This production has to be &C
complished with a civilian labor
force which has dropped in the
last three years by 100000, de-
spite the addition of 100000
women workers. Labor shortages
not only affect plants making
finished munitions, but also
those providing equipment, COM
ponents and materials, and es-
sential services such as trans
portation.
Lagging production has made
1t necessary for various conserva-
ton measures to be placed in ef-
feet to include a reduction in
travel, the suspension of racing,
a reduction in the use of elec-
tricity in night lighting, and the
closing of places of entertain
ment. Temperatures were re-
duced in public buildings and
our people were asked to save
coal in their houses. The re-
sponse of the public to these
measures has been heartening.
These measures are of an
emergency nature, and, with the
exception of the travel measure,
should be withdrawn on We day.
Other measures taken to re-
lieve manpower shortages have
included the Tightening of draft
regulations, the stricter issuance
of statements of availability, and
increased efforts to divert workers
to higher priority jobs. Pro-
cedures have been developed to
reduce the extent of contracts in
effect in tight-labor areas.
Cubersome Procedures Hurt
Employment Ceiling Program.
The employment ceiling pro-
gram has been pushed. How
ever, the necessary resort to cum
bersome procedures in applying
the indirect sanctions available to
Government prevents this pro-
gram from being effective
promptly in placing workers
where needed.
Turnover continues excessive.
It is clear that we do not have a
comprehensive, efficient man
power system.
Without such system, produc-
ton agencies can not meet their
responsibilities. The need for
manpower legislation continues.
Controls are necessary not only
for war production but also for
the production of essential civil
ian goods, and later, to facilitate
reconversion.
In the field of governmental
organization, the report refers to
the requirement in the War Mo-
bilization and Reconversion Act
for a report on the reorganiza-
ton and consolidation of agencies
in the manpower field. 1t recog-
1izes the need but states that spe-
ciflc recommendations will not
be submitted until after Germany
is defeated Any reorganization
in this field now would divert
from the war effort.
The need for the consolidation
of Government agencies is rec
ognized. The report recon-
mends that the President be au-
thorized. in addition to the
powers he now has under the
Second War Powers Act, to con-
solidate and transfer Govern
ment agencies as war functions
decrease. Such consultations
and transfers would be perma-
nent unless disapproved by Con-
gress within 80 days after they
are made.
The report points out that As
per cent of our total productive
output in 1914 was for war. To
obtain this proportion, essential
civilian programs were reduced
to level which demands an even
more delicate balancing of mill
tary needs against those require
ments which must be met if we
are not to impair our war effort.
The Office of War Mobilization
and Reconversion has required
continuing reviews to be made of
all military procurement pro-
grams to maintain this balance.
In February, 1914, the Secretary
of War announced that such re-
views had reduced military pro-
curement programs by $12,800,-
600 900.
Reduction of Naval
Building Program Cited.
Recently the director, after
conference with the commander
of the fleet, in the absence of the
Secretary of the Navy, and with
the approval of the President,
took steps to stop the construc-
tion of u naval vessels which did
mt opr,ear ohsol,1fe1y essential