01/07 Mon. Office of Production Management (OPM) is established. 01/16 Thu. President asks Congress for immediate appropriation of $350 million for 200 new merchant ships. 01/29 Wed. United States-British staff conversations to determine joint strategy in case of United States involvement in the war, begin in Washington. 01/30 Thu. Germany announces that ships of any nationality bringing aid to Great Britain will be torpedoed.