I enclose a memo, on the past history, future prospects and requirements
of the Civilian Technical Corps.
I shall be pleased to discuss the matter at any time which may be
convenient to you.
Yours
(Sgd.) A.T. HAHRIS.
Air Marshal.
afterwards, Mr. Hopkins proceeded to England ana uxov----- ------
. t««j ii»nir»v alternative measures for dealing with
"emorand^m on   proposals for the recruitment of an
American Civilian Technical Corps.
There is an acute shortage of skilled manpower in the United
Kingdom, and there are many gaps in the ranks of the Royal Navy, the
Army and the Royal Air Force of skilled personnel required for servicing
and maintaining technical equipment and armaments.
In the Spring of this year, the United States Government was
aorroached with a view to obtaining technical assistance from American
citizens in the endeavour to meet these deficiencies. As a result,
an agreement was reached with the State Jepartment permitting the
recr itment of upwards of 30,000 United States technicians of various
trades to be formed into an organisation known as the Civilian Technical
Corps.       Members of the Corps were to be of civilian status and not to
be employed on combatant duties.       Full details of the Conditions of
Service and Disciplinary Code are contained in the attached copy
of the printed Enrolment Form.
The recruiting campaign opened on the 17th June with a broadcast
appeal by Lord Beaverbrook.     In the  louse of Commons on the following
day the Secretary of State for r.lr announced the formation of the C.T.C.
and simultaneously the project was announced in Washington.      Six days
later the President commended service in the Corps to U.S. citizens
at a Press Conference. A central office was established in New York
for handling all applications, and the services of Earl Newsom & Co. .
of New York were engaged for the control of publicity. Notwithstanding
the widespread publicity given throughout the united States press at the
inception of the recruitment campaign the response vas disappointing
and it soon became evident that the goal of 30,000 technicians was
unlikely to be reached by this form of recruitment.     By the 2nd July,
for example, only some 36 applicants had survived the various prelirr.inaj
tests (medical, security and trade) out of a total nuir.ber of 2,000
applications received.
On the 9th July Air Marshal Harris approached Mr. Hopkins in or
to obtain the benefit of his advice, and possibly assistance, in
stimulating the interest of American technicians in the Corps. ^horV
afterwards, Mr. Hopkins proceeded to England and discussed with
Mr. Harriman and Lord   lankey alternative measures for dealing with w
problem. The outcome of these discussions is embodied In the aide
¦•moire handed by Lord Hankey to Mr. Harriman on the 29th July, 1941.
This document indicates that Mr. Hopkins, on his return, would explore
the feasibility of forming a special Corps of United States citizens,
to be employees of the American Government and serving in their interest.
The American Government, under this proposal, would assume responsibility
for any wages and other payments in $ in the United States, whilst the
British Government would be responsible for accommodation and feeding
in the United Kingdom.
In the interim, the Hew York Office of the C.T.C., which has
had the assistance of Mr. Murray Mitchell as American adviser, have been
canvassing all practicable measures for stimulating recruitment into
the British C.T.C.     Organised publicity has been undertaken and, in
addition, a number of Committees of prominent United States citizens
in eertain important cities, are assisting with recruitment.     In the
result, a steady flow of applications is being received but it is quite
clear that these efforts will not succeed, within a reasonable period,
in producing the skilled manpower which is so urgently required.
Appendix I attached shows, for the period to 9th September, 19*1? the
numbers of applications received, the numbers accepted for enrolment In
the Corps, the numbers rejected and the numbers still passing through
their various preliminary tests.     These figures, which represent the
results of a recruiting campaign extending over three months, demonstrate
that a new approach t,o the problem is necessary to achieve material
results.
The lack of success which has attended the attempt to recruit
skilled technicians through a British agency is, in our view,
attributable mainly to the following causesi-
(1) That expanding Droductive capacity in the armaments Industrie?
of the United States is making an increasing demand on the
versatile tyoe of skilled craftsman required and there is,
in consequence, a diminishing reservoir upon which to dra •
(2) The wages offered for service in the British C.T.C. are un-
attractive compared with American standards. So long as
the C.T.C. remains under British control this is virtual.'
an Insoluble problem.     The rates offered are liberal
/compared
compared with United Kingdom standards for comparable
classes of labour, and the introduction into the U.K.
of American labour in British employ at rates of pay
materially above those now offered would create a serious
situation from the standpoint of the British wage structure
generally.
These are difficulties which appear to point inevitably to the
adoption of the proposal discussed in London for the formation of a Corps
of American citizens employed and paid by the ttnited States Government.
It is suggested that this proposal could be suitably implemented
by the creation of a uniformed civilian organisation for maintenance and
servicing, ancillary to the U.S. War Department, in much the same way as
certain Maintenance Units of the Royal   ir Force and the Ordnance Depots
of the British Army are manned on a civilian footing.     Members of rrch an
organisation would, of course, have to be willing to serve overseas
in   order to gain the valuable experience essential to the defence of
the United States.     The cost of such a body, it is suggested, could thus
be borne out of U.S. War Department Appropriations and so obviate any
technical complications which migt arise in relation to Lease Lend.
The formation of an American C.T.C. necessarily gives rise to
the question of the future of the British C.T.C.     The aide memoire handed
to Mr. Harriman suggests that an American Corps need not necessarily be
regarded as replacing the British Corps, but it is felt that competitive
recruitment for the two Corps could not satisfactorily continue. The
British C.T.C. obviously could not compete at rates of pay which would be
inferior to the standards which would no doubt be adopted for the American
Corps.     Further, the difference in wage rates between the two Corps is
bound to give rise to dissatisfaction in England among members of the
British C.T.C, especially if they find themselves working under
identical conditions in the same establishment, as is not improbable.
Thus in the event of a decision to establish an American Corps it is a
matter for consideration whether we should not only discontinue recruitmer'
for a British C.T.C. but should merge existing members into the American
organisation.     This should give rise to no difficulty, in view of the m*i
attractive terms of service in an American Corps. |
Appendix II annexed details the numbers of skilled technician*^
/ fiA
required in the various trades.
RESULTS OF RECRUITMENT FOR BRITISH C.T.C. UP TO
9^h mnmm* ws*
Applications received 3»200
Accepted for enrolment 220
Rejected 9*0
Under examination 2,040
..ppgHDjX Lit
CIVILIAN TECHNICAL CORPS.
MEDIATE REQUIREMENTS.
Radio mechanics
Wiremen
Llectricians
Ordnance artificers
litters K.R.A. or fitter turners
Fitters, Air
Fitters, general
Fitters, armourer
Motor mechanics
Boilermakers
Coppersmiths
Instrument makers
v.achine tool setters
Metal workers
Grinders precision
.'/elders, acetylene
tfeldera, electric
Arnourers
8,900
100
1,250
200
200
10,500
250
500
1,600
50
50
1,150
300
150
20
50
50
170
Total
t