Evening star., 1941-06-28

program, SUWpe0 QppTeCtuDLy
LOST month, and the prospects for
June OUTPUT are not regarded as
bright, While there has been
some delay because OF labor dis
putes, major difficulty has been
In shortages OF strategic mate
rails
b. the Assocls ted Press.
Production of military aircraft
for the United States and Britain
was described authoritatively today
as sin the doldrums" and destined
to stay there through July and
August primarily because of short
ages of essential materials.
The low level OF output of all
types of combat craft, a defense
oficial said, will be reflected in
production figures for June which
should be made public in about two
weeks. A report issued early this
month showed the May output was
down to l ,334 planes of all types, in
cluding trainers, as compared with
April production of 1889.
Several steps to assure greater
quantities of raw materials in the
future are being undertaken, how
ever.
The Office of Production Manage
ment last night recommended con-
struction of eight new aluminium
plants to produce an additional
6eO,00O,000 pounds year and 'huS
raise the Nations production ca
pacity to 1,400 100000 pounds.
Further Auto Cut Likely.
A greater reduction in automobile
production than the 90 per cent al
ready demanded by the o. p. M. also
was in prospect, as a meeting OF
manufacturers was scheduled here
for discussion of possible further
curtailment of output and the dis
location of industry that might re-
suit from it. John D. Biggers, de-
fense production chief. said the cut
is needed because of shortages not
only in critical materials, but in
skilled workers and machine tools as
well.
Several contributing causes for the
aircraft production slump were given
by an authority in close touch with
the program. Among them was the
fact that various new models re-
Gently were turned out and these
had to undergo tests and have var
rious weaknesses remedied before
quantity production could be started.
But the principal cause Of the
slump. it was said, was shortage
of aluminium, magnesium and to
some extent, machine tools. With
new facilities for increasing the
supply of these materials scheduled
to 60 into production In September,
a substantial increase in plane out
put is due soon thereafter, probably
in October.
Ahead of Supply Firms.
In effect. Authorities said the
ability to manufacture airframes-
all the parts of an airplane except
the power plant-has run ahead of
the ability to turn out the materials
which 60 into them, especially
fabricated aluminium parts. AS this
expansion occurred, stocks of such
materials were used up more swiftly
than they were manufactured, until
airplane makers we're forced to slow
down TO the pace of their supply
industries.
AS one official put it, we're right
nov in the doldrums that were pre-
dicted as long ago as last De-
cember." The prediction at that
time, it was said, was made by Army
air officials and the forecast was
the reason why commercial lines
were forced to forego acquisition of
any new planes except necessary re-
placements.
Now the expectation Of a sub
stantial upward production swing |
in the fall is so great that review |
of the commercial transport situa-
ton is scheduled for around October |
l. At that time the commercial |
companies may once more be per-
mitted to acquire some additions !
to their feet.
Meanwhile, in view of the heavy !
demands of the British for combat |
planes, especially long-range bomb
ers essential to their battering of |
German industrial centers, it ap-
peared likely that the Army Air |
Force in this country would continue !
TO have but a gradual growth with |
emphasis placed on the strength |
ening of off-shore bases.
William S. Knudsen, o. P. M. !
director general, and Sidney Hill |
man, associate director, sent the rec
ommendation for the aluminium |.
for approval, after which it will be
sent to the Defense Plant Corp, !
which would be asked to finance the !
new plants.
The areas selected and the pro-
posed aluminium capacity include: |
Arkansas, 100,000000 pounds; Bon |
neville Grand Coulee area, two
plants, one of 85000,00O pounds !
capacity and the other of 55000,000 |!
pounds; upper New York State, two |
plants, one of 1OO,OO000O pounds
capacity and the other of 50000,000 /
pounds; Alabama, 100000 900 pounds; /
California, 70,000000 pounds, and
North Carolina, 4o000,o00 pounds.
Power Problem Solved.
o. p. M. said the problem of power |
had been solved and that construc- ;
ton of all eight plants could be
started Immediately. The plants are |
TO be built and owned by the Gov
eminent, but will be operated by
private companies under lease. The
companies were not named.
The o. P. M. also announced its
approval of proposal by the Car
negie-Illinois Steel Corp. to expand
its facilities at cost of about $85,-
100000 in order to speed up the
naval building program. The COM
pany> plans to use the new facilities ,
for making armor, special treatment |
steel and heavy forgings.
Meanwhile, from Federal Price /.
Administrator Leon Henderson came |
word that a ceiling will be placed |
on the price of cottonseed OIL The |