Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-17
FEAR SHORTAGE, PLAN
INVENTORY OF STEEL
Danger of Slowing Up of Vital
War Industries Causes
Action
SOME RESELL SUPPLIES
Priority Regulation Forbids Such
Sales Unless Approved by
Replogle
SOME RESELL SUPPLIES
Washington, July II.

Washington, July II.
Surface indications of steel shortage
great enough to slow up vital war in.
dustry and ship construction caused
stir among the heads of the Govern
ment's war agencies and resulted in
action which means a call for an in.
ventory of steel stocks in the United
States.
At the same time. the war industries
board frightened its priority regulations
by issuing a warning to certain manu-
facturers on the preferential list. The
warning says:
The attention Of the war industries
board has been called to the fact
that certain manufac cturers now on
the preference list for steel supply
are reselling steel that has been de.
livered to them as a result Of Gov.
ernment priority assistance.
In order to prevent abuses of this
priority privilege. the board has
passed resolution that, If any such
sales are made hereafter without the
approval Of ]. Leonard Replogle,
director Of steel supply Of the war in.
uuStIlS tHc
who Is responsible for those resa1es
will be dropped from the preference
list and will not receive further
priority assistance.
Shipping board officials made no Sc
cret Of the fact that the output OF
steel plates would have to be increased
II all shipbuilders live up to the speed
the highly efficient yards are attaining
They said a shortage Of steel already
was distinctly evident in spots" and
the present platemil!ing facilities
must be augmented to assure the pro
jected output of seagoing tonnage.
1t was said at the shipping board
that many Of the fastest shipyards are
nearing schedule Of five ships pc,
way per year and others soon will
reach a pace of four or three ships
per way per year.
Government officials have reason Il
believe that large stocks Of steel ART
in the hands of manufacturers thai
might we'll be utilized for essentia
Government needs now. Adequate
figuSes on the amounts of these
stocks are not available. and imme
diate inventories will be requested
from big steel consumers.
With the cooperation of the Depart
nent of Justice. the War Department l:
DuttIuS lltO eHCSl u sSstCiii VI Soh'i'
designed to protect the Government II
the procurement Of all war materials
The new system provides for review
Of every contract by boards of control
centre lizng of purchases Of each com
modify in a single bureau, standardiza
tion Of contract clauses, daily fisca
survey and also for public information
on War Department needs.
Operation of this plan is expected t;
remedy conditions revealed by the recen
arrer of contingent fee agents and tn
raid ns o: Offices Of manufacturers owe
the (: ,untry. The agents. it was charged
rece ved large fees for procuring Gov
errment contracts for manufacturers. tn
fees. being added to the price paid by tn
Government. ....- .,
The general stan recently ordere,
that. except in cases of immediate neces
eity. no contracts should be made wit
sales agents, but direct with manufac
turers or jobbers carrying the stock
needed,