Evening star., 1941-08-04
Sheer Hose Supply
Enough for 7 Years,
Manufacturers Say
'AIl-SiIk' Stockings,
However, May Lost
Only 9 to 10 Weeks
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, Aug. 4.-Some hos
iery manufacturers today decried
talk of a major shortage in sheer
stockings within the next year or
so, but differentiated between
sheer" and "all-silk"
One large silk stocking producer
said categorically there will be no
shortage of sheer wear for the
women of this country"
He estimated that under present
conditions the supply would be suf-
flcient for at least six months. The
supply could be made to last at least
two years, he pointed out, however,
by altering silk content and pro-
duction methods.
Lee I. Robinson, president of the
Robinson Hosiery Mills, said the
Government order freezing stocks of
raw silk left hope for hosiery men,
since most large mills had at least
four-week supply in their plants.
Silk in the hands of throwsters. the
men who process the baled silk as
it is received in this country, max
ing it ready for spinning, totals an
other FIVE or six weeks supply, he
said. In addition, there are huge
stocks of hosiery in the warehouses
of both manufacturers and retailers
accumulated during recent price
fluctuations.
10000 Bales in Usual Stock.
Mr.. Robinson estimated the nor
NAL stocks of silk in this country
totaled 10000 bales. OF this. ap-
proximately 10000 are in ware
houses, 10000 in transit and the re-
manning 10000 bales in the mills.
This large stock represents over
production of the hosiery industry,
some point out. Estimates of over
production run as high as Is per
cent.
Mr.. Robinson said the introduc-
ton of nylon stockings confused the
industry. Retailers insisted upon a
certain percentage of nylon stock
ings being delivered with every order
for silk stockings.
The production of 100000 dozen
pairs of nylon stockings, the pres
ent rate, has been considered to take
the place of at least double that
number of silk stockings. or over
one-third of the 100000 to As
600 1000 dozen pairs manufactured
each year.
No Longer ALI Silk.
1t was said most stockings no
longer were all-silk. For three years
some manufacturers have been put
ting cotton and rayon tops and feet
on some brands of hosiery. Some
service weight stockings have silk
only in the leg, with the rest cot
ton. The same is true of some
three thread stockings in which the
yarn consists of three threads of
silk twisted together for strength.
In some thread stockings the
tops and feet are made of rayon.
Large mail order houses such as
Ward and Sears Roe-
buck have ordered more than zoe, 900
dozen pairs of these stockings in the
past few years.
Hosiery men point out rayon is
not fiber but a synthetic yarn and
consequently lacks the tensile
strength and elasticity impaired by
the fiber length of a material like
silk. To attain strength and wear
IN some products silk and rayon
threads are twisted together.
Used for Parachutes.
One of the most important de-
tense uses to which silk has been
put by the United States Govern
nent is the making of parachutes,
Of which 100000 have already been
ordered. 1t takes 1914 pounds of
silk, according to manufacturers, to
make one parachute. Such use for
silk takes precedence over civilian
demand. Silk is also used as bags
into which powder is loaded to fire
the big guns of the armed forces
because its combustion is almost |
The guns are left clean
for the next load.
Silk manufacturers believe re-
processed silk could be used in the
bags and probably a mixture of re-
processed and virgin silk could be |
used in parachutes,