◆ SpookStack

3. How Can Military Suppliers Change to Civilian Work? To Jook at the large-scale picture first—what about such industries as aircraft and electronics, which are largely built on military orders? And what of the communities in which armament activity is concentrated? Some large plants are now occupied 100 per cent with military contracts, especially in such states as California, Washington, Kansas and Texas. In a number of communities across the nation more than a third of local payrolls are tied to military spending. Let us suppose that all these people have been planning—we know that aome of them have—on the possibility of successful world disarmament. Planning, in a transition of such great importance, is a key with which to unlock the future. And as a sound beginning, managers, workers and gov- ernment must soberly face this fact: With disarmament, some industries will either become unnecessary or will have a smaller market for their prod- ucts, They must find new products, new markets, or new fields. Most business men recognize the fact of constant change and they expect some risks. Many communities enjoy a wide range of industries and so find it easy to meet change. Such flexibility is the ideal, but increasing mechanization and specialization have made it very difficult for some indus- tries and some communities to remain flexible. Government pressures on industry to tool up for military production make the dilemma serious. Changes in the market are taking place all the time—whether we disarm or not— because of changes in technology and in public tastes and needs. For instance, while the total military budget has been increasing, some kinds of military orders have been sharply curtailed due to new weapons and new ideas of strategy. The Defense Department has cancelled or modi- fied contracts without warning, presumably because of the need felt for secrecy in military matters. Disarmament, by contrast, would be a public matter, arranged by international agreement, publicly debated. Cutbacks planned for and announced in advance can make the transition easier. Planning by industries and by organized labor calls for full and clear information on which to base practical plans. Much vital information must be collected locally and regionally, then sifted and put together in the national ‘or even international perspective, to provide a dependable guide for the local people who must make decisions for their own businesses and families. Then various types of government aid or backing can come into play.