The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-09-05

COMING CHANGES


in 1918 We can get, some idea Of
how the present national defense
program is going to affect US. The
difference is that this time the
pinch is. likely TO be much greater.
First Of all. there will be a re-
duction if not a shortage in the
number OF many goods such as au-
tomobiles. refrigerators. washing
machines, iFeReFs,- hardware and
even plastic items down 10 ash
trays. Next, great Simplihcation
and Standardization program now
being worked out by Donald Mel
son, executive officer Of President
Roosevelt's new Board Of Supplies,
Priorities and ALLEGATION, will limit
the sizes, models and styles of
things that can be bought IN the
nations 100000 retail stores.
In 1918, conservation programs
were worked out for 269 different
industries. Some OF them had been
put into effect, but the armistice
forestalled the imposition OF many
other restrictions The simplifca-
ton programs then started in May
and ended with peace IN November.
So they lasted only a few months.
But defense officials are now
looking toward a war effort that
will be continued into 1913, at
least. They say the conclusion
is obvious. 1t is going to be worse
this time; many more sacrifices
must BE- made
There soon will be a limit on
the sizes and models OF refrigera-
tors and radios. In World War
one, (before radios became pop
ulAr) the number OF talking ma
chimes were restricted to six mod
els and three colors. Production
OF new records was limited 10 half
the average for 1917. In World
War II, there is also prospect that
the number OF photograph records
manufactured may be cut down by
shortages of plastics and chemicals.
In World War /, Is per cent
cut was ordered n the styles Of
stoves. Radiator manufacturers
were limited TO one style four
heights. Similar curtailments may
be worked out for the present de-
tense program.
In 1918. the simplihcation pro
gram ran through hundreds Of
items from childrens toys to cot
fms. Brass, bronze and copper
casketS were banned and the varie-
ties OF wood collins cut by S. per
cent
Children's vehicles we're subStAn-
TALLY reduced in types and modes
80 that 10000 pounds OF pig tin
was saved in 1918. Bicycle manu-.
facturers already thave agreed In
1871 to discontinue production Of
juvenile bicycles This means that
junior will have to get along with
a tricycle. until he is big enough
TO ride a man-sized bike. There
will be no medium sized or small
two-wheelers.
Defense officials are warning the
public not 10 fool itself because
OF the fact that there, has been
little impact on Mr.. and Mrs.
America as yet. Aluminium pot
and pan manufacture has been dis
continued. But aluminium pans are
still available in some stores be
cause Of reserve stocks In hands
OF dealers and retailers.
World War | planners took in
everything from clocks and steel
writing pens to typewriter rib
bons. The number OF colors OF
typewriter ribbons was cut from
$50 10 3, and elimination OF tinfoii
and tin boxes TO pack them saved
395 tons OF steel and seven tons
OF pig tin. We may now sntici-
pate a similar program.
In 1918, the clock industry was
restricted TO four alarm clock
styles. .one style for mantel clocks;
and to two sizes for watches. Much
of the present clock industry facili
ties may be converted to manufac
turs of precision instruments and
bomb fuses for the munitions pro.
gram. So the variety OF styles o.
clocks IN the future also may b.
reduced.
In 1918, steel pan styles dropped
from 100 to 80 and brass writing
pens were abolished. A program
TO cut pencil styles from 400 TO 80
was worked out but never put into
effect. Because OF shortage in era
phite, which is used for pencil
leads the number OF styles may
be reduced TO avoid waste in manu-
facture.
Clothing styles were hard hit By
World War !, too. Don't be SUI
prised II IL sets a precedent foi
1871. Mr.. and Mrs. America are
going to be faced with many far
reaching changes in their every
everyday life as the war continues
We shall be Inconvenience, bu
we shall be much more comfortabl,
for some time to come than mil
lions OF others a. war torn nations