Progress Report, Feb. 16, 1942

In January, the month when Donald Nelson’s new War Production Board was set up, the Government cleared $11,652-000,000 in defense contracts—as much as in the four preceding months. The contracts, mostly for airplanes, tanks and guns, have not yet been translated into production; but production also increased in January. The Government actually spent $2,276,000,000 on arms—nearly $300,000,000 more than in December. To meet present production goals, by the end of the year the Government must.be spending more than $5,000,000,000 a month.