Evening star., 1945-02-26
Output Of Weapons
Must Be Increased
Sharply, WPB Warn!
By the Associated Press.


Critical war production pro-
Grams, already slowed by man
power shortages and weather.
smust be increased by June to as
high as 260 per cent over last
December, WPB officials warned
Today.
( BY the second half of the year,
when most of the current critical
programs reach their peaks, gains
ranging up to high of 260 per cent
above last December's levels must be
registered, and in most cases, even
these peaks are below the level of
requirement." WPB report issued
last night declared
The agency is particularly con-
eerned over manpower in the COM
Ing months. The WPB report, which
told of per cent drop in war
production in January from plan
ned schedule, had this to say about
manpower:
Nov, for the first time in several
months, the manpower shortage is
felt as a problem which affects war
production in general Heretofore
1t has been problem only in Ger
tain specific parts of the production
program"
Aircraft Exceeds Schedules.
In the major munitions categories,
WPB said, only aircraft producers
exceeded schedules. Ships, guns
and fire control ana military We
hicles not only Jagged behind goals
but behind December output. Air
craft and communications equip
ment topped December records by
l and per cent, respectively, but
missed schedules by per cent each.
The dozen critical programs
which are feeding direct battlefront
demands-showed per cent over
all gain above December because of
Government coddling. but this was
still 4 per cent behind WPBs goal.
Most disappointing were tanks, 23
per cent behind December, and
heavy trucks, 20 per cent behind
The best gamers were truck and
bus tires. up 80 per cent, and cotton
duck for tents, up an astonishing
33 per cent; both were 13 per cent
above goals and set new all-time
record.
The critical aircraft models
superbombers. jet-propelled fighters,
new pursuit ships and a few others
were 13 per cent below the first
of-the- month schedule" said the
report prepared by Hiland G. Batch
eller, WPB chief of operations.
Plenty of Trouble Seen.
Critical mortars and artillery
items missed schedule by to 80 per
cent. Heavy and light weight trucks
were each per cent behind fore
casts.
Loking ahead, Mr.. Batcheller saw
plenty of trouble. E
More important than the January
loss of munitions, he said, Is the
potential threat for months ahead
brought about by last months slump
(See PRODUCTION, Page A-2D
In steel and materials production
caused by the worst weather since
1918 and shortages of coal, gas,
labor and transportation.
He reported that WPB has allot-
ted 16,9O0.O00 tons of steel-slightly
more than is actually in sight-to
essential users for the Aprn-May-
June quarter. He said, this is only
IS per cent of what the Army, Navy
and other claimants asked for.
"If the war continues In both
Europe and Asia, the deficit for the
third quarter probably will be
greater than that which we now
face for the second quarter" the
WPB official said
With an eye to possible coal mine
shutdowns growing out of new wage
demands now being prepared by
John L. Lewis United Mine Workers.
Mr.. Batcheller reported that WPBI
now is setting up priority list of
Industries. This will be used to
channel coal to the most urgent
users if mining operations are in
terrupted.