Evening star., 1947-11-30

For with the new instrumentali-
ties OF mass destruction the Nation
will not have time to improvise, no
time to build up an industrial ca
pacity to produce thousands Of
planes and ships and train millions
Of men. Setting up the required
machinery cannot be left to M-day.
for bravery and resources will not
overcome an enemy who has de-
stroyed us.
Time to Arm Unlikely
with the probably increased
range of future weapons and with
the knowledge that the United
States has been the decisive factor
in two world wars, there is little
likelihood that we will be granted
such a respite again." Mr.. Hill said.
This means two things for us
in the future" he continued. First.
that we must have available def
mite and Immediately workable plans
for organizing our entire Govern
ment and our entire national life
on short notice for war.
Secondly, and more Importantly.
it also means that everything sub
stantive which cannot be done
promptly after the outbreak of war
must be in state of readiness ahead
of time. For example. in any fu-
ture war we cannot take the time
that we took during World War II
to build synthetic rubber plants.
Success in modern war depends
upon the timely and comprehensive
mobilization of nations re-
sources" he continued This is the
basic factor. Without 1t our Army.
Navy and Air Force are impotent"
AGENCIES to Cooperate
The board will make use OF all
the appropriate Government depart
ments and agencies to carry on
Investigations, undertake studies and
prepare policies and plans.
Mobilization planning has Of
necessity become function Of the
entire Government" Mr.. Hill said.
The board is the focal point for
such planning and the best brains
Of the country are none too many
to solve all the complicated prob
lens involved
In addition to drawing on the
experiences of the last two wars.
which Mr.. Baruch caustically re-
marked has never been the practice
in the past. Mr. Hills unit expects
ito make the maximum use OF the
universities, research institutions,
engineering and management Arms.
professional societies, management,
labor and consumer organizations
and private industries
A permanent staff which will give
continuity to the work is being as
sembled slowly and will be supple
mented by outstanding men from
private life who will serve on .
rotating basis or in an advisory
capacity or part-time capacity.
Key Men to Be Available
This will lead to a roster of men
familiar with mobilization plans.
who can be called upon to fill key
positions in an emergency" Mr. Hill
said
The board chairman sees It's work
as falling into three major cate
gories:
!. Determination of the status Of
national resources in terms of ma
terials. industrial plant, manpower
and other essential economic factors.
Comparison of the total require
ments. both civilian and military.
with the estimated potential supply.
2. Continuous review of current
problems In the light of the coun-
try's economic readiness for a pos
sible war.
3. Development of comprehensive
and detailed plans to cover the ad-
machinery - policies,
regulations. organizations, systems
and procedures that would be nec-
essary in case of war to effectively
channel and control production for
the war effort and at the same time
protect the civilian economy to the
extent. These plans will
cover generally the field of the
agencies OF World War II,
such a. the Once of War Mobiliza-
tion. War Production Board. Once
OF Price Administration. once Of
Defense Transportation. Bureau Of
Economic Warfare and War Ship
ping Administration.
1T is an enormous and complex
undertaking." Mr.. Hill admits. IT
can only be done with maximum
effectiveness through the co-opera-
tive efforts OF those engaged In ell
phases OF national life-Cocern-
ment, industry, agriculture and la
bor."
Chairman of NRA Bus Code
Mr. Hill. a native OF Charleston,
w. Va. and educated at Central
Missouri State Teachers College,
entered World War ! as a second
and rose to the rank OF
captain. He Is not new to WASH
ineton. since he wss chairman Of
the Motor Bus Code Authority in
the old NRA and later was ad-
wiser to the Counsel Of National De-
tense and the Army Quartermaster
General, He is 4 Republican.
In World War II he served In the
Navy Department, finally becoming
a special assistant to the secretary
In charge of the Public Works Div-
sion. For his services he received
the Medal of Merit
In addition to his activities In