PROJECTING a master blueprint for postwar disposal of surplus war property, a matter of enormous significance to the machinery industry, took a decisive step forward recently in a bill introduced by Representative Wright Patman of Texas.
This is not the first plan suggested to Congress as an answer to one of the country’s potential postwar headaches. Industry has been viewing the gigantic problem with mounting concern, hopefully studying each new offering.
We have studied many of these proposals, finding merit in some of them, but not until we read Mr. Patman’s H.R. 3873 were we ready to acknowledge the birth of a promising diagram. In a nutshell, the Texas Congressman advocates that the prodigious task of reallocating some billions of dollars worth of industrial plant equipment be handled through established trade channels under the guidance and supervision of a surplus property policy board composed of men from government and business.
Far-sighted businessmen and trade organizations see eye to eye with this method of handling surplus war goods. They particularly like to know that they will be represented by men like themselves—businessmen qualified by experience who can help to eliminate the red tape usually attached to government transactions.
We have said before that orderly disposition of federally owned war surplus property is second only to successful prosecution of the war itself. It is the major home-front battle and unless it is handled skillfully and intelligently every taxpayer will feel the impact.