The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-06-26

the question In cooperation with the
officials and had failed to arrive at
satisfactory conclusion, the idea was
dropped.
Numerous efforts to draw up nom
essential industry lists ended with the
discovery that almost every. industry
is In some way allied with other in
dustries In such way that to shut
down one would work injury to some
essential
Those who come to Washington now
| to discuss non-essential industry lists
are firmly told that extensive investi-
cation Of the subject has proved that
to close down non-essentials would do
much more harm than good, and that
! no material step in that direction is
! to be taken.
The nearest approach WASHINGTON
has made to declaring some industries
non-essential was the action Of the
fuel administration In allowing certain
plants only a certain percentage OF
| their normal fuel supply, and this plan
has not progressed far.
The most notable step in this direc-
| ton was the announcement served on
| the automobile industry by the fuel
administration some weeks ago that
only Is per cent of a normal fuel sup
ply would be allowed next season for
the manufacture of pleasure cars.
Other industries whose coal supply
has been ourtailed are the breweries,
whose coal supply has been cut 25 per
cent and IS to be cut another Is per
cent; factories manufacturing pianos.
have been given a substantial cut, also
makers Of clay products and sanitary
ware. window glass manufacturers and
boxboard makers.
The fuel administration, facing an
apparent estimated shortage OF e0000,-
900 tons In the coal supply needed for
1918, found upon investigation that MN
essential industries were using about
tO0.0O0.O00 tons a year. After thorough
consideration OF the whole situation
by experts, 1t was decided not to cut
of coal supplies to the non-essentials
entirely, thereby saving 100000, 900 tons.
but instead OF paralyizing a few in
dustrles. to conduct an intensive cam
paign among all industries for the con-
servation OF fuel In an effort to effect
the saving in that way.
Thousands and thousands Of Inquiries
have come to the war industries board
and fuel administration from anxious
business men all over the country as
to what steps are contemplated in re-
gard to shutting down certain indus
tries, but no definite reply has been
obtainable.
Many industries that appear TO have
no part In the prosecution OF the war
are found upon Investigation to be
either so tied up with essential plants
or financed In such a way that TO CLOSE
them down would bring about indus
trial injury. --ssSi
The piano industry offers a striking
instance. The general belief is that no
harm could come by closing down a
plano business Immediately. But an in
vestigation made by Washington OH
Gals proved that the plano industry,
whose backbone Is the purchaser on a
weekly or monthly installment plan
has about st,25O. 900 900 in negotiable
paper in the banks OF the country and
that to close down the piano factories
would ruin or cripple a large number
Of banks carrying the promissory
notes.
A better plan has been adopted, that
Of putting a portion OF many OF these
plants on production OF war materials
and today a large number OF piano
factories are making important parts
for airplanes.
A look into the future has convinced
Washington officials that in order TO be
J in an advantageous position to bid for
the worlds trade after the war every
| industry. both essential and non-essen-
| tial, must maintain its organization on
| edge, prepared TO meet greatly in
creased production after peace is de-
clared when many OF the nations must
for several years be buyers from US
because OF inability to manufacture
and produce for their own needs.