Laurel outlook., 1947-09-10
so Plants Held
Ready for War
U. S. Plans for Specialized
Production in Event
OF New Crises.

WASHlNGION. Sixty complete
government owned industrial plants
worth $2,301, 348, 900 are to be KEEP
in readiness for specialized produc'
ton should another war threaten
this country, the war department
diScloses.
1t is part of the army's plan to
maintain the plants in readiness for
industrial mobilization, Secretary
of War Kenneth Royal said in a re-
port covering the period July /,
1945, to June 30, 1947.
The report was compiled under
his direction while he was under
secretary of war, for submission to
Robert Patterson, whom he sue
ceeded as secretary of war.
Two Experiences Cited.
Royal commented that twice
within a generation, American in
dustry has demonstrated that,
given adequate time to convert to
munitions production, it can out
produce any other nation in the
world"
He added, however, that the
rapid advances of science make it
unlikely that time will again be on
our side"
Faces the Situation.
"The war department is facing
the situation realistically in its
preparation to maintain our future
security.
"The ultimate objective of the
plans is to have in stock, or to pro-
vide by prompt production in our
arsenals and standby plants, suffi-
cient material to resist an agrees
sion during the first stage"
Cost of maintaining the 60 plants
is estimated at S25, 122, 900 annually
if o is leased for civilian use
meanwhile.
With the maximum possible num-
Der of plants leased out, the de-
partment estimates it could save
$40, 1884, 900 annually.
Furthermore, the war depart
ment has authorized, pending ade-
quate legislation, an industrial
equipment reserve consisting of
1859 machine tools and produc-
tive equipment, costing $3.50, 900, 900,
earmarked for the army air forces
and technical services.
The Royal report relates that
through the army and navy NUM-
tions board, the war department is
participating in the stockpiling pro-
gram, which contemplates the pur-
chase and storage of 2 $500, 000, 900 |
of scarce strategic materials not
available in sufficient quantity in
the United States.
Plans for Underground.
1t is the boards hope to COM
plete all stockpile purchases in five
to six years, beginning in 1947.
While its accumulation of critical
materials has been impeded some
what by postwar civilian needs and
by temporary high prices, yet dur
ing the last year 81 million dollars
in materials have been purchased
and 300 million dollars worth has
been selected from surplus prop
erty.
Royals report brought out that
in a study of passive defense meas
ures the war department has au-
thorized the chief of engineers to
spend $150,000 this year to investi- f:
gate and develop construction Of I:
underground facilities. /:
The wal department likewise has /:
approved expenditure of $3.50, 900 by /:
the chief of engineers to determine :
ways in which "a chemical process :
ng plant Currently operating {:
above ground)" and an. ordnance :
department. fre-control instrument :
plant can be moved underground. :
Royal said that the army air :
'orces have been studying problems :
to manufacture of critical :
aircraft components in under :
installations. AS a result of :
hese studies, Royal reported, it is :
planned to obtain funds during 1913 :
enable the chief of engineers to :
construct a pilot plant underground. :