[Defense, Friday, Sept. 6, 1940]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

PUBLISHED BY NATIONAL DEFENSE ADVISORY COMMISSION
DEFENSE
FridwSçptJ, 1940
AS I SEE IT
When We Talk of National Defense we immediately think of tanks and battleships, of soldiers and skilled workers, of armor plate and precision tools. But total defense means much more than the manufacture of arms, the training of men, and the marshaling of our material resources. It means maintaining the health and physical fitness of our people, furthering their economic well-being and security, preserving and increasing the benefits of our democratic way of life. Those are the human defenses of the Nation, and they are as vital to the defense program as our military and economic defenses.
To maintain a high standard of living for a healthy and effective population as an integral part of defense we must be active on many fronts, both nationally and in the individual community. Unwarranted increases in the prices of food, clothing, and other consumer goods must be avoided; the quality of the things we buy must be sustained; the free and steady flow of goods must be assured. Every undernourished family, cyery person who is ill or who is without proper medical care, every person living under crowded, unhealthy, insanitary conditions is as truly a weak spot in the Nation’s defenses as an unguarded point on the coastline. On the public health and welfare front we must work harder than ever to eliminate malnutrition, to provide adequate housing facilities, and to emphasize those aspects of social welfare which will insure the Nation a people physically and mentally fit to meet their defense responsibilities.
'Existing Government agencies-Wederal, State, and local—are intensifying and extending their efforts along all these lines. These activities can be reinforced by the efforts of private organizations and individuals in every community in America. Ours is not only a defense program—it is a democratic defense program for the democratic way of living. It therefore rests not only on the armed forces and on civilian health and security but on the active interest and participation of all of the American people.
Harriet Elliott.
Consumer Adviser.
Men and Materiai.s, at the place needed, at the time needed, is the blueprint of defense transportation.
By rail and by road, by pipeline, by waterway, and by air we must organize to provide essential services to the Nation. Defense responsibilities can and will be met with a minimum disruption of normal transportation needs.
Increase in traffic will be welcomed at this time by all of the transportation agencies. For some time there has been a surplus of such facilities. Indeed, competition for the traffic that is moving has never, before been so apparent.
The chief problem created by the defense program is not so much how to take care of an increase in general traffic as it is what provisions should be made to meet special demands for the unusual movement of Government goods and men.
Careful and systematic planning at this time should avoid need for priorities in transportation or embargoes on particular commodities. Cooperation between the various governmental departments and of them with industry make this possible.
The Transportation Division has as its purpose the provision by each form of transportation of all necessary services, both for national defense and for normal requirements of the general public. The willing assistance given by representatives of the various carriers is cause for assurance that we shall attain this goal.
Ralph Budd, Commissioner of Transportation.
Dp — —	|	OFFICIAL BULLETIN of the Advisory Commission to the
t F t 11 O t I	Council of National Defense • Division of State and Local
COVER ILLUSTRATION	T ,	,,	,	,	Cooperation.
Issued weekly to keep the members of the State and local defense councils advised as to progress “ WELDERS ”	of the defense Pegram in Washington and in the States.	253279
Federal Works Agency Photo	U . S . GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
Production for Defense
' Production lines are rolling for defense, and Commissioner Knudsen returned this week from a io days’ flying inspection tour, satisfied that industry is making progress on defense order»»
Plants with defense contracts are expanding or converting their facilities, new plants are under construction, and employment in industry is rising.
Being the greatest mass-production nation of all times does not mean that k American industrial equipment could turn out defense products overnight. Revolutionary .changes in equipment have to be effected, quantities of new machine tools made and put into use, hundreds of new plants built and put into operation, and trained or retrained labor employed and put to work.
This is true within the Government organizations as well as in private industry. The War Department faces the problem of a 1,000 pejcqnt increase in its facilities and of redesigning much of its equipment in the light of recent military developments. The Navy must double equipment and more than double its personnel.
Assistance from members of the Advisory Commission in planning, in negotiating, and in bringing the most effective cooperation of private industry to the job on hand has been welcomed. Full cooperation from executives in the regular departments of government with experts brought in for emergency service by the AdvisoryCommission is recognized as the only basis upon which the ultimate objectives of the defense program can be obtained in the shortest possible time. As the gravity of the present situation is appreciated, ‘■Such cooperation has been the rule.
A complete list of contracts awarded is available to State councils. At the end of the first 12 weeks, contracts totaling $2,250,000,000 have been let—more than half the funds thus far made available by Congress. Contracts at present are clearing at a rate of more than $10,000,000 a day.
Figures alone do not tell the story of all that precedes the actual letting of a contract. For example, one contract for tanks
recently awarded involved $33,000,000 for tanks, but more than $20,000,000 for new facilities to make possible mass production in the greatest tank arsenal in the world.
Consummation of these plans came after intensive work by the War Department, the Commissioner, and his staff ; and a month of day-and-night study and planning by 197 engineers, accountants, and production men assigned by the company receiving the award of the project. The arsenal will be owned by the Government and operated under the management of the Chrysler Corporation.
Commissioner Knudsen reports that plane production should increase 50 percent by the end of 1940. Agreement has been reached with United Aircraft Corporation for manufacturing 17,000 airplane engines under a $160,000,000 contract. The Wright Aeronautical Corporation has agreed with the Army to manufacture 20,000 engines.
This latter contract will be under the new plan by which the Government and private manufacturers may cooperate in financing the construction of new plants and additions necessary to speed up defense production.
The plan will serve to expedite signing of defense contracts by assuring the contractor against loss on new-plant construction undertaken for military purposes, and it will also safeguard the Government’s interest in such facilities on completion of the contract.
The Government will reimburse the manufacturer for costs of capital expansion in five equal, annual installments. This amortization will be separate from payments for supplies produced. Adoption of this plan assures that neither the manufacturer nor the Government will assume in advance all the risk, nor will they subsequently reap the residual value as a p-ofit.
At the completion of the contract the Government’s residual financial interest in the plant is to be appraised by an impartial board. If the manufacturer is unable to use the property at the final determined
valuation, the Government will take title to it, use it for Government needs, hold it for emergency reserve capacity,/sell it, or dismantle and salvage it.
This arrangement should conserve Government funds and stimulate investment of private capital in the defense construction program. At the same time, private manufacturers would continue to provide management and operation and assume all the ordinary risks of business.
This week also saw the announcement of the labor policy adopted by the Defense Commission. All employment on the defense program will be required to comply with Federal laws protecting labor standards as well as State and local statutes affecting labor relations, hours of work, wages, workman’s compensation, safety, and sanitation. The policy is against discrimination because of age, sex, race, or color and requires that adequate housing facilities shall be made available for employees.
Commissioner Knudsen has brought to the service of the Production Division, and of the Nation, a staff of businessmen who, together with him, are working overtime to start and keep defense production on the move.
With the assistance of this staff the Division effects coordination of those activities which cut across several Government departments and mobilizes special services not available or required in normal times by the Government, and conducts a continuous survey of existing facilities in terms of defense needs.
All divisions of the Commission, including Production, are in constant touch with Donald M. Nelson, Coordinator of National Defense Purchasing. Mr. Nelson maintains liaison between the Commission and all Government departments and agencies to insure coordination, efficiency, and economy in defense purchases. This office is in charge also of investigation of preference classifications of defense requirements over deliveries for private account or for export.
Changing a great industrial empire from
Friday, Sept. 6,1940 * DEFENSE * Page 3
a peace-time economy to a nation armed and organized for defense is the biggest job a nation can be called upon to accomplish. Governmental organization to serve the needs of the United States in normal times is big business in terms of manpower, machinery, and infinite detail of organization. This present emergency calls for a plan which will maintain at adequate tempo all services to the civilian population and at the same time expand production to carry defense preparation.
After congressional action has granted money and power, the departments of gov
ernment charged with the responsibility for the administration of defense activities must decide what they need, when and where they need it. The Advisory Commission does not draw specifications nor sign contracts. The Commissioners are experts in large-scale buying, producing, and moving, and they bring the experience gained in serving the vast peace-time needs of the Nation to the service of the Government.
Mobilization as thought of in the Army and Navy plans and as conceived by the public has been thought of as .coming in
time of war. Defense plans today come when we are at peace and when private industry is manufacturing vast quantities of war material for other governments.
To achieve adequate defense with a minimum disturbance of our peace-time economy is the job that Government is tackling.
The Commissioners are centering the genius of our industrial organization upon the problem of coordinating America’s full resources of men, materials, and productive capacity for the job of total defense.
Business Inquiries
Business Men who are interested in cooperating with the National Defense Program are asking questions of the Governors of States and Mayors of cities. The same queries are being sent by the hundred to members of the Advisory Commission.
“What can I do to have my factory ready to make defense materials?” *‘What can I do to get a construction contract?”
The Defense Commission itself signs no contracts, and draws no specifications— that is done by the War and Navy Departments. The Commission’s job is to act as liaison between the needs of the military ■services and the nation’s industrial capacity and in doing so it advises, facilitates production and aids in negotiations between industry and the two military departments.
The things that arc needed for our enlarged Army and Navy fall into certain groups. First, there anHthe articles of standard manufacture which the Army and Navy buy from commercial dealers and manufacturers.
Orders for such articles are placed by the Quartermaster General in the Army, and by the Chief of the Bureau of Supplies and Accounts in the Navy. Letters addressed to them in Washington, D. C., will bring full information about their buying methods, and where to get information on bidding.
Next come articles of special manufacture, material that hardly anybody but the Army and Navy ever needs—tanks, machine guns, battleships, and parts for all these machines.
Many of these parts are made, however, by other manufacturers who are not now making arms. Anyone who believes his plant might manufacture articles of this nature should write to the Ordnance Department of the Army or to the Bureau of Ordnance in the Navy. Letters should give details of facilities and engineering staffs. The Army will be glad to send one of its field officers to a factory to find out what defense materials can be made by the manufacturer, if the manufacturer requests it.
Next comes construction. In general, the Army and Navy adhere to competitive bidding with award to the lowest, responsible, qualified bidder. These contracts are advertised in the engineering journals and the Government Advertiser.
Because of the present emergency and the necessity for speed and, sometimes secrecy, many construction contracts are being negotiated on a cost plus fixed fee basis.
Contractors wanting to take part on a fee basis for military construction should write to Washington, giving full information about their experience, staffs, and equipment. The Chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks is in charge of Navy works, and the Construction Division of the Quartermaster General’s Office is in charge of Army building.
Architects and engineers wishing to be considered for design contracts should also follow this procedure.
The Army has »'special board, the Construction Advisory Section, to analyze qualifications, while the Navy’s Bureau of Yards and Docks makes the analysis itself.
The Army is holding to its traditional policy of receiving bids through its field procurement officers. These officers know what is wanted by the Army and are also familiar with the problems of industry.
If manufacturers cannot find what they can do, a letter to Mr. Donald M. Nelson, Coordinator of National Defense Purchases, may solve the problem.
America Builds Ships
America Builds Ships is a 16-millimeter kodachrome sound film with a running time of 12 minutes. It shows ship construction in relation to the national defense program and the place of merchant ships in developing trade with South America.
Prints of this film will soon be available. Inquiries should be addressed to the Division of Information, National Defense Advisory Commission, Washington, D. C.
Friday, Sept. 6, 1940 * DEFENSE * Page 4
States Chart the Course
Executives of two States appeared before the Senate Military Affairs Committee and urged legislation permitting the States to form “Home Guards” as replacements for the National Guard units ordered into Federal service.
Gov. Herbert H. Lehman states that the National Defense Act is a bar to the formation of such units although they may be—and are—authorized by many State codes. Appearing with Governor Lehman was Brig. Gen. Edgar C. Erickson, Adjutant General of Massachusetts, who represented Gov. Leverett Saltonstall.
The two State executives asked for “adequate Federal arms and equipment” for such units when established. Nectssity for immediate provision for an organized, armed, and equipped official protective force for service solely within the State was repeatedly stressed during the hearing. The essential services rendered by the National Guard in floods, hurricanes, and nonmilitary emergencies or disasters were emphasized by Brigadier General Erickson.
The guard, as proposed, would be patterned after the National Guard organization, officered by experienced military men, and would constitute an arm of the law-enforcement machinery of the State.
Senator Morris Sheppard stated that a draft act on this subject has been prepared by the War Department.
An official Municipal Plan of Defense has been recommended by the New Jersey Council and approved by Gov. A. Harry Moore. It has been sent to 568 local governments.
Emphasis is given to the need for adaptation of the general plan to meet local conditions which require either additional activities or the deletion of suggested projects. Emphasized, also, is the policy that activities should be limited to those projects officially approved by the Federal, State, or local government or agency thereof.
The suggested plan is in line with the general organization outline discussed in the memorandum issued by the National Defense Advisory Commission. Briefly, it
states that initiation of local organization is the responsibility of the executive officer of the local municipality. Membership is to include representatives of industry and labor, heads of departments of local government, and public-spirited citizens.
Activities suggested for consideration include checking civilian service availability of citizensgcooperation with the training program, organization of police reserves, an emergency motor patrol and first-aid units, emergency hospital facilities, and the protection of water supply. Special attention is given to the importance to the entire community of satisfactory employer-employee relations.
A general warning given expression in many statements- by governors and local officials is epitomized in th|Ee words:
“As a basic principle the council in all its efforts must guard against creating or encouraging any feeling of war hysteria.”
The plan closes with this statement:
“Whether the activities here proposed will prove helpful in the event of an emergency will not be their only test in answering the question of whether or not they should be carried on. In the absence of any emergency—and this is the hope of everyone—these activities must produce a better and finer community spirit in each municipality.”
Status and salary of local employees called to military or national-defense services are under consideration in many cities. Early reports of action cite New York Gity, Milwaukee, Portland, and Galesburg, Ill., a coast-to-coast cross section.
Enabling action has been taken through city ordinances and administrative rulings of the Civil Service Commissions. Provisions include job protection, ranging from a limited to an indefinite period; preservation of promotional rights, seniority, civil-service status, and pension rights.
This consideration by the Government as an employer parallels plans now under consideration in Washington for legislation to protect the social-security rights of men called from civil to military service.
Members of the National Guard called
to training under the act just passed by Congress are guaranteed their jobs upon their return. The bill gives the returning guardsman, in the event his employer refuses to take him back, the right to appeal to the district Federal court in which the employer’s business is located. The district attorney is required to act as his counsel without fee and without court costs. The court then decides, after fair and proper trial, whether or not the employer was justified in his refusal to comply with the act.
Police mobilization is an immediate responsibility7 of all areas of government, Federal, State, and local; civil defense of local communities is one problem now on the doorstep of every governor and mayor in the Nation.
Adequacy of trained police forces for the accustomed every-day job is a familiar problem which defense needs only emphasize.
Police chiefs, in their Newsletter, issue warning against use of untrained and undisciplined volunteers, and state that it has been repeatedly demonstrated that volunteer police may become a greater domestic menace and a more serious threat to private rights and essential civil liberties than the danger for which they are called out.
Local police officials and sheriffs have conferred with Governor Lehman in New York and haVc agreed upon a plan for handling any major civil emergency which may arise.
The Governor has issued an order dividing the State into eight mobilization districts. New York City is designated as one district, and the other seven parallel the troop districts of the State police. The captains of the State police, as mobilization coordinators, are authorized to appraise and classify the police manpower, equipment, transportation, and communication facilities in their respective districts.
On order of the Governor of the State, the coordinator will make available to local authorities requesting assistance sufficient resources to meet an emergency.
Friday, Sept. 6, 1940 * D'E F E N S E * Page 5
Retail Merchants Cooperate
Merchants representing more than 50 national retail-trade groups met in Washington on August 29 with Miss Harriet Elliott, Consumer Adviser on the National Defense Advisory Commission. Discussion centered on the problem of préventing unwarranted price increases and the promotion of a free and steady flow of goods to consumers.
The conference unanimously adopted the following resolution:
The representatives of retail merchants here assembled announce that it is their intention to devote their efforts to prevent so far as possible any unjustifiable rise in retail prices by urging upon the general retail trade vigorous opposition to all price increases which appear to be unwarranted and which might cause difficulty to the Government and the consuming public.
We agree to cooperate wholeheartedly with the National Defense Advisory Commission in determining the justification of any price rise that might take place; in exchanging information; and in advising with the National Defense Advisory Commission as to the wisest plan to pursue.
We announce that, providing the cost to us
of the merchandise that we sell does not vary substantially, and providing also that our cost of doing business does not increase substantially, we will not alter past methods and practices in arriving at our selling prices.
The conference was representative of different types of business, large and small, chain and independent, and of the several associations in the field. A committee was elected by the conference to serve in an advisory capacity to Miss Elliott on retailer-consumer problems. Members of the committee are: Mr. Fred Lazarus, Jr., Columbus, Ohio, chairman; Mr. Horace P. Aikman, Casanova, N. Y.; Mr. Lewis W. Cole, Louisville, Ky.; Mr. John Goode, Asheville, N. C.; Mr. J. Hudson Huffard, Bluefield, W. Va.; Mr. Oswald W. Knauth, New York, N. Y.; Mr. Bruce MacLeish, Chicago, Ill.; Mr. Clark Mauchley, New York, N. Y.; Mr. Gerrit Vander Hooning, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Miss Elliott presided and opened the conference with a discussion of Civilian Interests in National Defense. Mr. H. Gor
don Selfridge, Jr., formerly of Selfridge’s Provincial Stores, Ltd., England, told the conference of the experience of British retailers during the first 6 months of the present war. Mr. Selfridge said that British retailers were making a sincere effort to avoid unjustifiable price rises and profiteering. Their efforts, combined with the strength of public opinion, were proving effective in preventing war profiteering in England, he declared. Problems of American consumers and retailers during the World War were reviewed by Mr. Lew Hahn, general manager of the National Retail Dry Goods Association.
A practical program for the participation of retailers in defense was outlined in the afternoon session by Mr. Fred Lazarus, vice-president of the F. & R. Lazarus & Co. Discussion centered about speculative buying, the quality of consumer goods, checking unwarranted price increases at the preretail level, the present economic outlook, and the activities of the Consumer Adviser’s office.
Progress on Law Enforcement Front
Action upon recommendations of the conference on Law-Enforcement Problem of National Defense is being, vigorously pushed by the States. Review is in progress to determine adequacy of State statutes on sabotage, criminal conspiracy, firearms, explosives, deputizing of special guards, and the protection of civil rights.
The attorney general of Minnesota has forwarded to the committee material on these subjects prepared by his office for Gov. Harold E. Stassen.
Gov. Herbert R. O’Gonor of Maryland assigned the review job to the attorney general and legislative committee of the State council of defense and resources and asked for an early report.
Gov. Richard C. McMullen of Delaware and Gov. M. Clifford Townsend of Indiana called and met with conferences
of law officials in their respective States who arc pushing development of State programs.
Gov. Payne H. Ratner has requested the Kansas Legislative Council to serve as liaison between the committee and the legislature.
A national committee has been formed for the preparation of draft bills. Results of their work will be available for State consideration before legislatures convene this winter.
Representatives of the committee will confer in Philadelphia on September 3 with Mr. William A. Schnader, president of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws.
Conference proposals for broadening the Federal law covering sabotage of war material have been embodied in amend
ments now pending; these amendments extend the act to cover premises and defense utilities as well as materials. Recom-mendationl for broadening of the Registration of Foreign Agents Act of 1938 are under discussion by the Department of Justice and State Department.
The International Association of Chiefs of Police is preparing a digest of State firearms laws, which will be available upon completion.
A committee appointed by the Attorney General has compiled a summary of United States statute® relating to the national defense in the law-enforcement field and is preparing a report on measures, proposals, and experiences of other democratic countries in the civil-defense field.
The National Conference of Attorneys General will discuss methods of making
Friday, Sept. 6,1940 * DEFENSE * Page 6
the conference recommendations effective when they meet in Philadelphia September 9 and io. Attorney General Warren of California will speak on Federal-State Cooperation on Law Enforcement and Attor
ney General Walsh of Maryland will present a report on The Law of Conscription and the Conscientious Objector.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is holding a series of regional and State con
ferences with State and local police officials for the purpose of planning joint and cooperative activities.
The Week in Washington
Defense moved forward this week on a variety of fronts.
The Commission adopted a broad labor policy calling for adherence to all labor legislation.
The following statement was.issued:
“Primary among the objectives of the Advisory Commission to the Council of National Defense is the increase in production of materials required by our armed forces and the assurance of adequate future supply of such materials with the least possible disturbance to production of supplies for the civilian population. The scope of our present program entails bringing into production many of our unused resources of agriculture, manufacturing and man power.
“This program can be used in the public interest as a vehicle to reduce unemployment and otherwise strengthen the human fiber of our nation. In the selection of plant locations for new production, in the interest of national defense, great weight must be given to this factor.
“In order that surplus and unemployed labor may be absorbed in the defense program, all reasonable efforts should be made to avoid hours in excess of 40 per week. However, in emergencies or where the needs of the national defense cannot otherwise be met, exceptions to this standard should be permitted. When the requirements of the defense program make it necessary to work in excess of these hours, or where work is required on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays, overtime should be paid in accordance with the local recognized practices.
All work carried on as part of the defense program should comply with Federal statutory provisions affecting labor wherever such provisions are applicable. This applies to the Walsh-Healy Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, the National Labor
Relations Act, etc. There should also be compliance with state and local statutes affecting labor relations, hours of work, wages, workmen’s compensation, safety, sanitation, etc.
Adequate provision should be made for the health and safety of employees;
As far as possible, the local employment or other agencies designated by the United States Employment Service should be utilized ;
Workers should not be discriminated against because of age, sex, race or color;
Adequate housing facilities should be made available for employees.
The Commission reaffirms the principles enunciated by the Chief of Ordnance of the United States Army, during the World War, in his order of November 15, 1917, relative to the relation of labor standards to efficient production :
In view of the urgent necessity for a prompt increase in the volume of production * * *, vigilance is demanded of all those in any way associated with industry lest the safeguards with which the people of this country have sought to protect labor should be unwisely and unnecessarily broken down. It is a fair assumption that for the most part these safeguards are the mechanisms of efficiency. Industrial history proves that reasonable hours, fair working conditions, and a proper wage scale are essential to high production. * * * every attempt should be made to conserve in every way possible all of our achievements in the way of social betterment. But the pressing argument for maintaining industrial safeguards in the present emergency is that they actually contribute to efficiency.
On another front, steps were taken to protect consumers from unwarranted price rises and to assure a free steady flow of goods. At a conference, with the Consumers Division, retail trade representatives pledged full cooperation in preventing price rises, and appointed a committee to represent them with the Commission.
The Industrial Materials Division, organized to insure a flow of raw materials, this week announced the supply of wood pulp in 1941 will be sufficient for domestic use and export, removing concern over a possible shortage due to^feduced imports.
The Division announced also the results of a study just completed in conjunction with the Army and Navy. The study shows that potential supplies of toluene used in the highly important explosive TNT are adequate for all anticipated United States requirements.
It has been agreed that a stock pile of this essential raw material should be acquired to prevent a temporary shortage. Present commercial needs for paint, lacquer, and other materials can be met by recovery from byproduct coke ovens. Experiments with the production of toluene from petroleum indicate that this is an entirely practical source of supply.
In the World War shortage of this material created a serious bottleneck. The present domestic demand is fairly stable and the study indicates that needs for the Government and private industry can be met.
To direct the Commission’s vitally important program of training workers in industrial plants, Channing R. Dooley, Manager, Industrial Relations, Socony Vacuum Oil Company, and J. W. Dietz, Personnel Relations Manager, Western Electric Company, this week took up the task of organizing this work.
Legislation enabling the States to establish “home guards” has been introduced in both Senate and House.
The Senate bill amends the National Defense Act of 1916 to permit “the organization by and maintenance within any State of military units, not a part of the National Guard; however, no person shall, by reason of his membership in any such unit, be exempted from military service under any Federal law.”
Friday, Sept. 6,1940 ★ DEFENSE * Page 7
Q. How can voluntary groups most effectively contribute their services?
A. Through their State councils of defence. As programs develop, the State departments carrying on defense work will be able to advise as to the specific work on which volunteer service can effectively supplement Government activity.
Q. By whom are the State councils of defense appointed?
A. In the absence of specific State legislation, the plan of organization for the defense council and initiation of such an organization is the responsibility of the governor of the State.
Q. What is the size of the defense program?
A. The President has requested approximately $10,000,000,000 to build up our Army and Navy. Congress was asked to permit increasing the strength of our Army to 1,200,000 and to provide means for obtaining equipment sufficient to outfit an additional 800,000 men who might be called to the colors.
At the present moment we have a force of 500,000 men made up of the Regular Army, the National Guard, and the Organized Reserves. Under the terms of the new deferise.: program, we will have to provide men and materials to increase our armed forces fourfold.
The men have to be trained. They have to become familiar with the Complex instruments of modern warfare-. In order to do that they have to be equipped with those instruments and plenty of them.
To put a modern army in the field calls for clothes, food, and medical supplie?. It also calls for a means of getting to the.
battle, and means of supply when it gets there. Modern war is total war. We must be fully prepared.
Q. Is progress being made to accomplish such a program?
A. The outlines of the job under way are clear. On May 16 the President asked Congress to provide $1,182,000,000 for defense. On May 31 he again sent a message declaring that the incredible events abroad, during the latter part of May, necessitated another $1,277,741,170 to speed up preparation for our military and naval needs. On July to, due to further drastic changes in the world situation, and because of the united will of the American people to defend themselves against all enemies foreign and domestic, the President asked for further appropriation of $4,848,171,957 for national defense. This would provide for:
Equipping a navy to meet any possible combination of hostile forces.
Total equipment for a land force of 1,200,000.
Reserve stocks of tanks, guns, and artillery ammunition for an additional 800,000 men.
Provide 15,000 additional planes- for the Army and 4,000 for the Navy.
Manufacturing facilities, public and private, to produce essential equipment required for our forces.
Q. When can deliveries be expected on the combat material in which the Defense Commission is interested?
A. It is expected that the tooling-up process will take much of the autumn, but by January substantial deliveries of most of the material should commence,“¿md by spring 1941 production should be going at a good rate.
Q. Does- the Defense Commission get jobs for people?
A. No; it does not. That is the job of the United States Employment Service and their affiliated State -employment offices.
Q. How can people apply for training for skilled jobs?
A. They should apply to their nearest State employment office or one of its local branches. These offices can put them in touch with the agencig which offer the kind of training they wish.
Q. How does the Commissioner on Price Stabilization function if he finds some important prices spiraling up?
A. Let’s take paper and pulp prices, which were getting out of line recently mainly because Scandinavian imports were shut off. The Commissioner consulted with experts on Stettinius’ staff, who try to keep accurate records necessary for insuring adequate supply. He looked into prices.,. exports, ' imports, found out how much capacity was still idle and concluded prices were rising mainly because of excitement and ignorance. A meeting was called with representatives of leading firms in the industry, and their opinion was that no price inflation ought to occur. Taking the excitement out of a potential price spiral is one method of effecting stability.
Q. Why, with the billions of dollars available, cant raw materials be gotten together more quickly?
A. People who ask that question must realize that American industry cannot be completely mobilized and coordinated within a week or a month or several months. It is a long job. It isn’t easy. It calls for full cooperation and patience. It can be said, however, that no effort is being spared—the cooperative effort of industry, the Army, the Navy, and the various agencies of the Government.
Q. Could you give an example of the numerous difficulties encountered?
A. Yes. A very practical difficulty, for instance, involves one of our sources of high-grade manganese—an indispensable alloy for the manufacture of steel: It is in Brazil. Transportation to that source is inadequate, and to get the supplies we neSd a railroad in Brazil will have to be built. That is typical of the kind of problems we face.
Friday, Sept 6,1940 * DEFENSE ★ Page 8