We used to think that the B-17 was a huge plane, and the blockbuster it carried a huge load.  But the B-36 can carry five of these blockbusters in its belly, and it can carry them five times as far.  Of course, the B-36 is much more complicated to build than the B-17, and far more expensive.  One B-17 costs $275,000, while now one B-36 costs $3 1/2 million.

I ask you to remember that what we are doing is to provide the best and most modern military equipment in the world for our fighting forces.

This kind of defense production program has two parts.

The first part is to get our defense production going as fast as possible.  We have to convert plants and channel materials to defense production.  This means heavy cuts in civilian uses of copper, aluminum, rubber, and other essential materials.  It means shortages in various consumer goods.

The second part is to increase our capacity to produce and to keep our economy strong for the long pull.  We do not know how long Communist aggression will threaten the world.

Only by increasing our output can we carry the burden of preparedness for an indefinite period in the future.  This means that we will have to build more power plants and more steel mills, grow more cotton, mine more copper, and expand our capacity in many other ways.

The Congress will need to consider legislation, at this session, affecting all the aspects of our mobilization job.  The main subjects on which legislation will be needed are: 

First, appropriations for our military buildup.

Second, extension and revision of the Selective Service Act.

Third, military and economic aid to help build up the strength of the free world.

Fourth, revision and extension of the authority to expand production and to stabilize prices, wages, and rents.

Fifth, improvement of our agricultural laws to help obtain the kinds of farm products we need for the defense effort.

Sixth, improvement of our labor laws to help provide stable labor-management relations and to make sure that we have steady production in this emergency.

Seventh, housing and training of defense workers and the full use of all our manpower resources.

Eighth, means for increasing the supply of doctors, nurses, and other trained medical personnel critically needed for the defense effort.

Ninth, aid to the States to meet the most urgent needs of our elementary and secondary schools.  Some of our plans will have to be deferred for the time being.  But we should do all we can to make sure our children are being trained as good and useful citizens in the critical times ahead.

Tenth, a major increase in taxes to meet the cost of the defense effort.

The Economic Report and the Budget Message will discuss these subjects further.  In addition, I shall send to the Congress special messages containing detailed recommendations on legislation needed at this Session.