In the late 30's nobody was gearing up for war work, except Nazi Germany, Italy, and Japan. Heck, Britain didn't start gearing up until after war was declared, and the only reason we did in '40-'41 was to help pull Britain's fat out of the fire. Up until then it was business as usual within our arms industry.

"You can lead a man to logic, but you cannot make him think." Joe Harz
"Always certain, often right." Keith McCafferty