Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-08-12
WAA 10 Extend
LIST SET Aside
For Veterans
littlejohn Finds
$50 Of Material
Complaints Justified
By Robert K. Welsh

oHpPiOiHtS SuStiIISO
By Robert K. Walsh
Disclosing that 30 per cent OF
complaints about surplus property
disposal come from veterans and
that IS per cent appear reasonably
justified" War Assets Administra-
tor Robert M. Littlejohn today an
nounced plans to increase the num-
Der and range Of scarce materials
to ex-servicemen for per-
sonal or business use.
He told WAA regional and zone
directors that by next July / he
hopes to wind up the major dis
posal OF surplus goods. He stressed
the veterans problems and indi-
Gated that stricter enforcement
measures will be taken against mis-
use Of priorities by veterans.
Some 20 categories Of surplus
goods, including tool kits, refrigera-
tors, Photographic equipment and
ONCE fixtures such as debating and
duplicating apparatus, will be added
this week to the list OF set-asides
Tor which veterans have had exclu-
sive priority since last May, other
WAA sources said today.
To Make Needed Changes.
Mr.. Littlejohn, addressing the di.
rectors at what he called "a time
is-of-the-essence session." declared:
II 1t Is necessary to change disposal
methods to give the veteran a fair
break. they will be changed"
He urged the field administrators
to let their hair down and tell us
our sins Of omission and commits
sion" in handling of surplus property,
Assuring them that he was APP
preaching veterans problems in a
very friendly way" Mr.. Littlejohn
remarked:
Il. too, came home from four
years overseas anticipating being
able to buy a jeep. I have not been
able to get one. So I, too, have q
grippe against WA"
He reported that the original set.
aside list. including largely trucks.
trailers, agricultural and medical
supplies. is being revived. Some
items for which veterans have
shown no desire will be dropped.
"Factual' inventories are being
made to determine what consumer
goods items and present set-aside
items can be better distributed to
veterans.
To Make Facts Public.
He noted. however, that prac-
tically all items on the set-aside
list are in short supply and that
the overall demands from veterans
cannot be met.
1T is my Intention" he said. "as
each OF the items on the set-aside
list is studied from factual knowl-
edge, to make the cold facts avail
able publicly in order that all con.
cerned may understand the prob
lem"
A move also is under way to SIM
pity WAA regulations, especially
those relating to veterans. The ad-
ministrator announced that he has
ordered preparation of "a small.
simple manual on this subject, read
lily understandable, and the few
regulations therein simple to exc
cute"
Referring to general WAA poli-
cies. Mr.. Littlejohn said he has
asked the War and Navy Depart
ments, Maritime Commission. Army.
Navy Munitions Board and Recon-
structlon Finance Corp. to set their
own target dates" for reporting
surplus supplies, equipment and
property so that the program can
be completed by next July.
"Hide-NothinE" Policy.
Todays meeting with the regional
and zone directors was described as
a move to tighten relations" be-
tween the districts and the head
quarters. Mr.. Littlejohn laid down
these other basic goals:
A "hide nothing" policy in pub
lie relations: fewer, briefer and
clearer reports from the field to
headquarters; organization of an
ONCE Of Field Research to super
wise and coordinate regional and
zone operations which, Mr.. Little
john declared, have become decen-
tralized to a point where knowledge
OF operation in the field is inade-
quate for proper supervision from
the Washington end"
establishment of a Headquarters
control room" to provide up-to-
date daily information on inven-
tories. sales, condition of stock and
future plans and policies; publica-
ton Of a weekly headquarters news
paper; and an order that each field
director write a two-page letter to
the administrator twice month,
giving a report and suggestions also
are planned.
Tighter Enforcement Needed.
Tied in with the proposed exten-
sion OF set-asides, another WAA Of
ficial explained earlier today, is the
problem of tighter enforcement of
regulations affecting prioriitsies.
veterans who> are certified to OBJ.
tain such additional set-aside ma
terials, 1t was explained, must prove
that they intend to use the items for
their personal use or in connection
with their own businesses. The re-
cent ban on brokers and spectators
exercising priorities applies to vet
Grams, the oflcial said.
Meanwhile, the WAA called at
tention to the quarterly progress
20 HSy~k