The Ypsilanti Daily Press

Little Change Here From Cutback

Ford Officials Anticipating No Quick Reconversion

Layoff at Willow Run Under New Order

Bill Backers

'Announcement by the War Production Board of a cutback in bomber production at Willow Run may be somewhat misleading,' the Ford News Bureau said today.

'Since the release from Washington does not refer to any specific dates it may mislead some people into thinking the cutback is to be immediate and drastic. It is to be neither according to the information we have received from the Air Forces,' the Ford News Bureau said.

'Under our present schedule with the anticipated additional work which we have been told we will be asked to do at Willow Run we have hopes that we will not be forced to reduce our working force at the plant.'

'Willow Run expect to be cut back gradually starting next month but the original cut will amount to no more than a couple of planes a day. We have and are producing approximately one an hour.'

On the basis of preliminary reports, the plant's employment situation would hinge on how rapidly the Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corp. at San Diego could convert entirely to production of B-32 Superfortresses, sister ship of the mighty B-29.

'Whether Willow Run is affected by the order, a Ford spokesman said, "depends upon whether Consolidated will convert soon to B-32 production. If they are ready to get underway now, Willow Run probably will absorb the remainder of Consolidated's B-24 Liberator contracts."'

Advises Workers

Rex Nottingham, manager of the local U. S. Employment Service office stated today that he urgently advises all workers at the Willow Run plant to stay on their jobs. 'They are needed there now. Quitting at this time will hamper production in such a manner that the important final drives in Europe might be weakened,' he said.

'This war is in the bag.'

That statement is the attitude taken by too many people today who go to the U. S. Employment Office for releases and transfers to other areas, according to Mr. Nottingham.

He deplores this attitude and urges all workers to stay on their jobs until the war is completely over. Then workers will be helped to find peace-time jobs, he points out.

Mr. Nottingham reports that during the last two months, between 70 and 75 per cent of the 350-400 persons who came to the office were looking for positions in some other area.

There is still a vital need for workers here, especially men,' he says.

'It is true that in some fields there is a surplus of women workers but there is a definite shortage of men needed for jobs in this area.'

Definite Exodus

Various sources indicate that there is a definite exodus from Ypsilanti.

Exceptions were the city gas department and the New York Central ticket office.

The Gas Department shows a slight increase in deposits for meters and fewer people asking for return of deposits.

The ticket agent at the local depot stated that it is difficult to judge how many people are leaving Ypsilanti permanently since many do not buy round-trip tickets.

even though they definitely intend to return soon.
The sale of out-of-state tickets has "upped" recently but this may not be due to people moving from this locality, for the summer months of July and August always show a rise in ticket sales, he points out.
The consensus at the depot indicated that there is no special rush from Ypsilanti via that means of transportation.
Ypsilanti Greyhound Bus Station employes report that, unlike the comparatively stable trend at the railroad ticket office, they have noticed a large number of people buying one-way tickets to out-of-state places, accompanied by luggage and a steady stream of conversation that indicates they have no intentions of returning. The last few months have seen a sharp increase in the rate of people leaving this community, they find.
Post Office Report
At the local U. S. post office, the report is that work is lighter now than it was at this time last year, there are a few more changes of address than usual, but there is no special indication that any great exodus is taking place.
The story is different at the Willow Run Post Office, however. There are a great many withdrawals every day. Employes there handle many boxes of clothing and other belongings that are being sent out of state ahead of their owners and more and more people are found to have moved without bothering to change their address when messengers with special delivery letters or registered letters attempt to find them.