AMERICAN WAR PRODUCTION

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23969, 9 June 1943, Page 3

AMERICAN WAR PRODUCTION

INCREASES RECORDED IN APRIL AIRCRAFT AND SHIPPING FIGURES iKec 11.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, June 7. The United States will reach maximum war production next year, according to the tenth production communique issued by the chairman ’V the War Production Board (Mr Donald M. Nelson). The communique revealed that total munitions production during April approached 5.000,000.000 dollars —7 per cent above expectations. Aircraft value at 1,649,000,000 dollars had been produced, reaching the objective. Compared with March, output of heavy bomber’s rose 18 per cent., and naval fighters 50 per cent. Overall aeroplane production rose 11 per cent., aeroplane armament and related materials 8 per cent. The value of warships delivered rose 3 per cent., but tonnage declined from 186,000 to 157.000 displacement tons. Production of Army and Navy vessels rose 3 per cent. The value of merchant ship output rose 11 per cent.; a total of 149 merchantmen of 1,600,000 deadweight tons was delivered—a 7 per cent, increase in tonnage compared with March. Artillery output was greater than that scheduled for any month of 1943-44.

Mr Nelson added that by the end of the year the monthly rate of increase •,ou!<-' taper off considerably as industry approached its maximum output, which would be some time in 1944. The United States Navy is planning a 4,000,000,000 dollar ship construction programme, covering 480,000 tons of new vessels, ranging from small boats to aircraft-carriers and heavy cruisers. Rear-Admiral Cochrane, Chief of the Bureau of Ships, telling this to the Senate Appropriations Committee, added that the Navy expected to complete 600 ships of all types during the fiscal year beginning on July 1. RECIPROCAL TRADE AGREEMENTS ROOSEVELT SIGNS BILL (Ree. 7 p.m.) WASHINGTON. June 7. Mr Roosevelt has signed the bill extending the United States reciprocal trade agreements programme for two VPUt’5