The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-08-27
Aluminium Plant S
Delay Criticized

Continued From Page onel
Of a plant At Tacoma for produe-
ton o. aluminium y \ new
process.
Frank Eicheiberger. president Of
the kalunlte Co. which in turn
has endeavored for many months
10 create = plant here for extract
ing and processing raw aluminium
ores from proposed local mines.
testified that oPM officials have
treated him like eross-eyed
step-child.
Eichelberger suhstantiated the
the position Of his company by
testimony To the effect that al
though Aieoa THE only producer
OF aluminium in the nation) doesn't
use his proposed process. the
process has proven successful else
where in the world: that there is
sufficient ore in the Northwest 10
keep such a new plant In operation
for a century Of fun production.
lie also pointed out that his
company Ii fully prepared
with blueprints and commit
ments from a staff of en-
gineers 10 operate the pro-
posed plant as soon q. oPM
permission IL granted.
Frank Walsh. Industrial en-
gineer of the Tacoma Chamber of
Commerce. introduced testimony
substantiating other complaints
that oPM Is guided by advice of
Alcoa officials In matters con-
corning American aluminium pro-
duction for defense needs.
Gist Of testimony on that point
was summarized by Truman. who
declared that cooperation" be-
tween OPM and Alcoa was hinder
ing national defense production.
ut looks from the testi-
mony heard" the committees
chairman said. that Alcoa In
more interested In remaining
monopoly than In saving
the country's national defense
program"
Truman said that John L.
O'Brien. general counsel for OPM.
had evaded the committees re-
quest for a report on the nations
aluminium production. Truman
said a second request has been
made. and If such a report isn't
forthcoming he will take effective
steps" to get it.
DIR. Paul J. Raver, administra-
tor for Bonneville dam, also testi-
fled and recalled his recommended
tons to OPM last June for estab-
lishment of several new aluminium
plants in the Northwest. including
the proposed kalunite plant at
Tacoma.
lie said he was told In turn
that all Bonneville power
would have To be used by
single big aluminium plant to
be operated by ALC0A; he
called attention to legislation
which prohibits sale Of fed
eral tBonneyille) power TO a
single customer.
At conclusion of Ravers testi-
mony. Chairman Truman said the
story has all the earmarks of
maneuver by the OPM to turn
aluminium over to a monopoly"
Because of delays and mind
changing in government selection
OF a site for new aluminium plant
and other similar maneuvers. Tru-
man pointed out, the nation has
lost potential production of some
80. 600. 900 pounds of aluminium.
Other developments from the
congressional committees session
included revelation that west coast
shipbuilding has been slowed by
lack of steel. while expert testi-
mony was introduced that the
Northwest could efficiently sup
port steel industry inssmuch as
the raw materials are available
locally.
Government permission is nee
essary to establish any of the So
called defense industries" in
GLIDING production of aluminium
and steel.
The committee continued its in
vestigation Tuesday.
DIES IN CRASH