National Affairs: Spread Out

By presidential order, Harry Truman last week tried to reverse a decision of Congress on the thorny question of whether defense plants should be dispersed throughout the country. He instructed Mobilizer Charles Wilson to see to it that all new defense plants are built ten to 20 miles away from established industrial centers or from other key plants. Those that do not conform will not get allocations of Government-controlled materials, Government contracts, or benefits of tax preference.

As soon as the news hit the teletype, Capitol Hill howled. Only last month, a coalition from the heavily industrial New England, Middle Atlantic and...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!