The President
 
      
 
 
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      Gil Winant was with us the first trip - Swansea, Bristol, and 
      Cardiff- and I understand he reported to you about it. Forrestal 
      was with us the second - Liverpool and Manchester - and will 
      tell you about them personally. I cabled you regarding Plymouth. 
      This week we go to Dover. The reaction of the people of each 
      town is somewhat different depending upon the individual characteristics 
      of the area and the length of time since the last blitz.
 
      
 
 
It is very well worthwhile from my standpoint as it not only 
      gives me a picture of the production problems but I meet the 
      important local men.
 
      
 
 
The morale of the people is of such vital importance that 
      I am having some talks next week with the thought of recommending 
      to you that someone come over to help on civilian resistance. 
      I want, however, to know more about the problem before putting 
      it up to you. A most important part is the organization of mobile 
      equipment in sufficient quantity and well supplied to be available 
      at a moment's notice. I am not yet convinced that the shelters 
      arrangements are good enough or the best that can be done. Still 
      it is not easy and I don't know enough to be entitled to an opinion.
 
      
 
 
The question of man power will become more and more acute. 
      Women are being inducted into increasing lines of activity. But 
      when the air force is expanded to over a million men and other 
      services enlarged, there will be greater and greater requirements 
      for trained personnel and skilled labor. Would you consider it 
      worthwhile to have someone like Ed McGrady come over here for 
      a short trip to study the present and prospective problem?
 
      
 
 
The study I suggest is analysis of the man power needs in 
      every line in connection with the military and production plans. 
      I suggest Ed because, as you know, I worked with him in the N.R.A. 
      days and because, in addition to the actual needs, the man should 
      understand labor unions. Ed, too, has a very practical understanding 
      of the p %roduction and associated problems.
 
      
 
 
Dr. Conant reviewed while here the needs for technical experts 
      and technicians in certain lines. The whole field is one that 
      will become increasingly important and unless we have the facts 
      in advance I am afraid we may find trained man power a principal 
      bottleneck next year. For example not pilots alone are needed 
      but maintenance crews and radio operators. It is not ships alone 
      but the officers and crews. When it comes to tanks, maintenance 
      again is of vital importance.