Talk:Truman Committee

Expansion suggestions

I've been building the article for the past three days but I have to lay off a bit to get some other work done. Here are some subtopics that can be folded into the article:

• The Committee takes the stance that many smaller contracts and subcontractors are better for the country than single large contracts. New plant construction should be throttled back in favor of unused or under-used existing plant where possible. The effort should be spread across many states rather than concentrated mainly on the East coast.
• Truman says dollar-a-year men are counter-productive—effectively working as lobbyists for their corporations, bringing in lucrative contracts. WPB's Donald M. Nelson says dollar-a-year men are useful and should stay in position. Truman grudgingly supports Nelson.
• The Committee takes a non-position on strikes and racial discrimination, leaves those issues to the White House.
• Truman notes that 12 million tons of US shipping was sunk by German U-boats, but Frank Knox denies until confronted with the committee report. The New Dealers' War: FDR And The War Within World War II, Thomas Fleming
• More construction housing drama in Winfield Township, New Jersey, run by the Mutual Ownership Defense Housing Division: "Truman Committee Exposes Housing Mess", November 30, 1942. Life magazine.
• Martin B-26 Marauder bombers investigated—their wings are too short.
• High profile and vigorously fought Curtiss-Wright aircraft engine investigation early 1943.
• Time magazine attacks the committee in '42, contrary to '43 cover appearance by Truman.
• The Committee looks into aluminum, magnesium and rubber supplies and finds far too little. Jesse Jones was allowing ALCOA a monopoly in aluminum; Committee breaks it with Reynolds Metals. Germany's I.G. Farben was being given too much magnesium, and also being granted too many rights regarding synthetic rubber patents.
• Bechtel-Price-Callahan Canol Project, Canol Road, brings General Somervell back as a witness. No resolution, project continues with huge waste of manpower. Creating the National Security State, Douglas T. Stuart
• George Meader was taken on as assistant counsel July 1, 1943 to October 1, 1945. Later he advanced to chief counsel.
• The Committee investigates problems with quality of steel production.
• The Committee helps Higgins Industries somewhat after Chris-Craft Boats was awarded the lion's share of Higgins boat (landing craft) construction. Two Americans: Truman, Eisenhower, and a Dangerous World, William Lee Miller. Random House Digital, 2012
• The Committee does not help Higgins very much when a large shipyard is canceled in Louisiana halfway through construction. Truman supports Nelson's determination that there is not enough steel.
• Labor's War At Home: The CIO in World War II, Nelson Lichtenstein. Temple University Press, 2003
• Toulmin, Harry Aubrey, Sr (1947). Diary of Democracy: the Senate War Investigating Committee. R.R. Smith.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

Anybody is welcome to jump in. Binksternet (talk) 22:54, 20 October 2012 (UTC)

specific defense project details?

the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver page says that the Helldiver was investigated and criticized by the committee, but there is no information on this page. It would be nice. I'm not in a position to add it. 71.190.240.122 (talk) 01:34, 31 October 2015 (UTC)