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Show j - - - Washington, D. C. DONALD NELSON EXPLAINS In bis radio appeal for an immediate imme-diate 23 per cent increase in war production, Donald Nelson announced an-nounced that Joint management-labor committees would be set up in every plant to devise methods of increasing in-creasing output There has been considerable conjecture since then over the scope of these committees; whether they should run the plants or merely be advisory. The other day Nelson explained Just what he had in mind in a private pri-vate talk with Walter Reuther, forceful force-ful vice president of the powerful C.I.O. United Auto Workers, who more than a year ago proposed the so-called "Reuther Plan" for the quick conversion of the auto industry indus-try into a unified mass producer of hundreds of planes and tanks daily. While In Washington on union business busi-ness after Nelson's broadcast, a mutual mu-tual friend suggested tb Reuther that he have a talk with the War Production Pro-duction chief whom he had never met Nelson greeted Reuther cordially, cor-dially, remarking that he had heard a lot about his plan but had not seen its details. "I can tell you all about them in three minutes," said Reuther. , "Shoot," replied the war chief. Nelson listened intently, asked a few questions, then remarked: "Essentially, "Es-sentially, your objective is the same as mine. The only thing on which we differ is the way to go about it" "How's that?" "Simply this," said Nelson. "We both want the auto industry to make all the airplanes, tanks ' and guns it can.' Your plans called for Joint committees to direct the conversion, with a government representative par ticipating as a side-line adviser. I believe in doing it differently-one differently-one man for action and committees commit-tees for advice. That's why I have one man, my representative, representa-tive, in Detroit directing conversion, conver-sion, with the committees yon proposed advising him. It's your plan only In reverse." Nelson also told Reuther that he hoped the joint committees would take their work seriously and submit sub-mit every practical plan for increasing increas-ing production. However, Nelson stressed that he and not the committees com-mittees would decide on the mwlta of the proposals, that the function oi the committees was strictly "ad- visory." Note: After first approving the Joint committee plan, Secretary Knox later told Nelson he was opposed op-posed because it would "Sovietize U. S. industry." Knox contended that management alone should do the job. Nelson brushed aside Knox's fears and declared that without the full co-operation of labor the war could not be won. "I expect full cooperation co-operation from the navy on my plan," Nelson said firmly, "or else. And if you doubt my word there is a man in the White House who will confirm it for you." HULL AND THE ARABS Shortly before Secretary Hull left on his present protracted holiday, Colonel Donovan had worked out a plan to send an American "Colonel Lawrence" to visit the Arabs around Dakar. The idea was that just as Colonel Lawrence had won the support of the Arabs for the British in the last war, so the United States could win over the Arabs in French West Africa, Af-rica, especially around the vital base of Dakar, the jumping off place to South America. So Col. Charles Sweeney, who has had much experience with the Arabs, was delegated to undertake this difficult and important mission. But when Secretary Hull heard of the Donovan plan, be hit the ceiling. Calling Donovan into his office, Hull lectured him at length, declaring: "You are trying to interfere with the conduct of my relations with a friendly country." Hull flatly refused to give Colonel Sweeney a passport So no attempt has been made to win over the Arabs of West Africa. Note: British intelligence reports that three French warships sailed from Dakar last month bound for Madagascar. This will relieve the danger to Brazil, but it may increase in-crease possible danger to British-U. British-U. S. shipping routes through the Indian ocean to Suez and India; depending de-pending on whether the French warships war-ships will protect Madagascar from the British or from the Japanese. MERRY-GO-ROUND C. Henderson's Price administration soon will crack down on tire bootleggers, boot-leggers, especially in Pittsburgh and Washington. C. For some quickly-read and sound advice by real experts on what to do in the event of air raids, get the newly published handy book, "Civilian "Civil-ian Defense of the United States," by CoL R. Ernest Dupuy and Lieut Hodding Carter. Colonel Dupuy. is author of a number of outstanding military volumes and is an ace authority au-thority in his field. C. Another newly published small book that will be very helpful in understanding un-derstanding military developments is "Defense Will Not Win the War" by Lieut. CoL W. F. Kernan of the regular field artillery. |