Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-08-26
AUTOMOBILE BUILDERS
TO LIMIT PRODUCTION
tries Board to Curtail %
Per Cent.
CAN MATCH STOCK ON HAM
Plants Having an Excess Supply OF
Steel After Completing Permitted
Construction Will Turn Over Sup
ply to Other Firms.
tsy Associated Press. ]

WASHINGTON, August 2j-Manu-
tacturers OF passenger automobiles and
repair parts have agreed with the war
industries board to limit production
during the last six months Of 1918 to
% per cen; of the total production in
1917. according TO announcemcnt to-
night In the form of letter from the
war industries board to the National
Automobile Chamber of Commerce.
To permit this production. the board
gave notice that IL will extend prefer
materials necessary to match up the
stock on hand.
steel on hand after completing the per-
mittcd construction according to the
terms of tho agreement, will be re-
CURED TO turn over the supply to other
ting of automobile production during
tho last half of the present year at
least 30 per cent.
The board in its letter refused to
ton of passenger automobiles after De-
cember 81. 1918. but reiterated it's pre-
vious request that all plants get on a
war work basis before the end of the
year.
The letter. which was signed by Alex
ander H. Lesse: vice chairman of the
war industries board: j. L. Riplogge.
director of steel supply, and George n.
Peek. commissioner OF finished prod
ucts Of the board. declares that on
the basis Of reports furnished by au-
tomobile manufacturers the stocks OF
raw and of SemihniShed materials. ag-
ereEating in value approximately $780,
100000, are greatly unha lanced and
cannot be liQudated until ma tchc cd
up" with other materials In the manu-
facture of cars.
AUTOMOBILE BUILDERS
TO SIGN A PLEDGE
The conclusion has been reached
that it ia in the public interest, as well
as in the interest of your industry. that
it be assisted as far as practicable
without interfering with the war pro-
gram. in the liquidation of its stocks
now on hand; and to that end the pri-
critics division of the war industries
board will accord degree of prefer
ence designed to accomplish This re-
suit to all manufacturers Of passenger
automobiles who will subscribe to a
pledge to he prescribed by the priori-
ties committee emhodying in substance
the following:
THAT the manufacture will limit its
purchase of materials, equipment and
supplies to such as are absolutely nc
cessary to match up it's stock now on
hand.
That its production OF passenger au-
tomchiles and all repair parts there
for shall not. for the six months end
ing with December 81. 1918. exceed %
per cent OF its production for the cal
endar year 1917.
That 1t will conserve and econo-
mize in every possible way it's stocks
OF iron and steel. and their products
now in its hands, or that may come into
It's possession. and will release. on re-
quest Of the war industries board. to
such other manufacturers of passenger
automobiles as may be designated by
the said board such OF it's stocks as
can be utilized by such other manufac-
turer and which are not required by
IL for either the limited production
above specified or for war work.
THAT 1t will from time to time rem
der such reports of its activities un-
der oath. or otherwise, as may be call
ed for by the war industries board"