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Show COMMENTS NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL THE APPOINTMENT of Donald Nelson as absolute head of procurement and production, with powers second only to those of the President, marked the real start of this country's all-out war effort. In the past, we simply did not do enough. There has been too much talk and too little work. Now faced fac-ed by enemies who have developed all their resources for many years to the creation of gigantic armies, we must at last throw the potentially limitless American machine into high gear. The effect of that on the country's economy econ-omy will be revolutionary. During the year which ended, we spent less than 25 percent of our national income for military purposes. During the fiscal year w-hich will begin next July, it is expected that more than 50 percent of our income will be devoted to the needs of our Army, Navy and Air Force. And in the years to follow, if the war is still going on, the proportion will be further increased. The President has said that the building of military power only slightly superior to that of our enemies, is not enough that we must, instead, build a military power which is ov- erwhelmingly greater. The result of that program will be felt in every home in the land. There is little point now in talking about the mistakes of yesterday, save as they can point the way to prevent similar mistakes in the future. Labor stalled production and deprived de-prived our fighting forces of vitally needed supplies. Some segments of industry were resultant to make the tremendous transition transi-tion from peace to a war economy, Government Govern-ment officials, including the President, vacillated va-cillated before taking the steps that were necessary to real efficiency in adminstration Congress dilly-dallied and debated endlessly while the Axis forces rolled inexorably on. Now we have entered a new period, and it is inconceivable that anything will be permitted permitt-ed to hamper the war effort. The individual will find himself living a very different kind of life. He will have to work harder, and he will have to forgo a long list of luxuries and a number of semi-necessities semi-necessities as well. The complete ban on automobiles and tire indicates the way the wind is blowing. It is expected that within a very short time the production of electric refrigerators, washing machines and similar equipment, will come to an absolute stop. There will be little or no tin to spare for canned can-ned good. And, while most workers will receive re-ceive higher wages than ever before, a large porportion of their earning will be taken by government through taxation. Everyone may be required to devote a definite proportion pro-portion of their incomes to the purchase of defense bonds. In short, your pay check-may check-may be big, but the part of it "which you will have left to spend as your whims and desires indicate, will be small. |