January 1945 – Strengthening Surplus Redistribution: A Call for Dealer Collaboration and Fair Policy

TO: ROBERT A. HURLEY, CHAIRMAN, SURPLUS PROPERTY BOARD 

Dear Mr. Hurley: 

We feel that our twenty years of observation and contact in the surplus industrial equipment field qualify us to offer two specific suggestions regarding the redistribution of surplus war materiel. 

We have long maintained that the dealers in used industrial equipment with their technical knowledge and fifty years’ background of acting as the main redistributing agency in the United States for mechanical goods should have specific recognition in reconversion to civilian production lines. This industry has played an important part in the war effort and the same experience should be utilized to economically and expediently accelerate the change-over. It is our sincere hope that the new Surplus Property Board will recognize this fact. 

Our suggestions are: 

1. That the Surplus Property Board adopt a policy of conferring with established dealers on important disposal problems before and during formation of new rules and regulations. 

2. That the Surplus Property Board allow a commission or discount sufficient to warrant the dealers’ cooperation. The present policy has placed the Government in direct competition with the industry that can furnish the greatest amount of help in the redistribution of surplus industrial equipment. 

These suggestions are based particularly upon our experiences during the past three years when the War Production Board and other procurement agencies called upon this industry for advice and assistance in locating critically needed items. This has been repeated more recently since the set-back in our European war theatre operations has stimulated the need for additional armament. In spite of the publicity given surplus disposal agencies, Surplus Record and the dealers who advertise in it receive urgent requests daily from government agencies and war contractors for machinery needed in the accelerated program. 

We can assure you that if a fair deal is worked out for this industry your department will receive the same enthusiastic support that is now being given to the War Production Board program.