MANPOWER OFFICE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 14, 12 October 1942, Page 6

MANPOWER OFFICE

Proposal For United States SERIOUS PROBLEM (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received October 11, 7.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, October 10. Describing the manpower problem as the most serious question confronting the nation, Senator Taft introduced a Bill creating a new. Office of Manpower, whose director would have overall authority in recruiting personnel for the armed forces, agriculture, industry and essential civilian occupations, based on the principle of voluntary recruiting. Senator . Taft explained that he believed the time had not yet arrived when, it was necessary' to adopt a system of forced labour for factories and farms.

Senator Taft proposed the abolition of the present manpower commission, the transfer of the whole selective service system and also the United States employment service, to the proposed new agency; He also proposed the drafting of 19-year-old youths, but with a deferment till the current college year was completed. Married men over the age of 30, with children, would be deferred till all without dependants were enrolled. Family men engaged in essential occupations would be deferred till all not so engaged had been called up.

Size Of Army. NEW YORK, October 9.

America’s manpower situation has reached the point where a decision must soon be made about the ‘size of the fighting army, said Mr. Donald Nelson, head of the War Production Board, at a Press conference. He declined to discuss the probable maximum strenth, but said that an army of 10,000,000 men was not out of the picture. -He added: “We can equip 10,000,000 men and keep them supplied with food, munitions, and replacements.” The “New York Times” Washington correspondent says that the size of the United States Army is. undetermined, but that if it is 10,000,000 or 13,000,000. both of which figures have been mentioned, then a very great diminution of the outward flow of lend and lease supplies is inevitable. There is a limit to American capacity to produce. “Now that the British have reached what may be saturation point in manpower and the United States must provide the remainder required for the final victories on land,” says the correspondent, “there has arisen at home the problem of equipment, the solution of which is equally vital to the Allies and ourselves.”

U.S. SHIPBUILDING

Four Vessels A Day Soon

(British Oflicial Wireless.) (Beceived October 11, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, October 10. Rear-Admiral H. L. Vickery, vicechairman of the United States Maritime Commission, told the Foreign Trade Council in New York that tbe United States would-build four merchant ships daily in January. Ninetythree ships were placed In service lust month. .... American shipyards have a capacity to produce substantially more than the 10 000,000 tons scheduled for delivery during 1943 and more than 312 Liberty ships have already been placed in serTi A Boston message says the United States Navy Department announced that two submarine chasers and four “special ships” were launched at three United States shipyards today. No details are given. _ _ U.S. VICTORY LEVY Portion Of Tax To Be Remitted After War (Received October 11, 7 p.m.) WASHINGTON, October 10. The Senate adopted a 5 per .cent, victory levy, to lie deducted from all Individual incomes above 1- dollars a week. ‘ Coming on top of the unprecedented increase in the regular income taxes, this constitutes the largest increase ever imposed on the American taxpayer. Part of the victory levy will be credited to the taxpayer and repaid ufter the war. Single persons will be credited with 25 per cent., and married people with 40 per cent., plus - per cent, for each, dependant.

AMERICAN TAX BILL Largest In U.S. History

(Received October 11, H-15 pm.) WASHINGTON, October 10.

The Senate unanimously passed the largest tax Bill in United States history, increasing direct taxation by nea'rly 50 [>er cent, despite the heavy burden imposed in the current year and augmenting tlie total direct taxation to approximately 25,000,00(1.000 dollars. The measure now goes to the House of Representatives. Overriding President Roosevelt s protest, the Senate adopted by 50 votes to 35 air amendment to the revenue Bill freezing social security payroll taxes for 1943 ut the present levels of 1 per cent for employers and employees alike.