The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-07-29
Impressive Gathering of Manufacturers Held Here
 Last Night

{, An overflow audience of manufacturers and distribu- tors from all over Connec- ticut, together with many from outside the state, heard repeated warnings in a meet ing in the Wilby High school auditorium last evening that the current shortage of i11- dustrial supplies is far more serious than they realize. All of the speakers who addressed the gathering drove home the same point, that the situation is critical and unless adequate plans are made now, will become more difficult in the near future.
 J. L. Overlook, deputy director of the office of production management in discussing the defense supplies rationing plan recently approved by OPM, explained that replacements for the country's dwindling store of supplies becomes increasingly difh- cult as the list of national defense priorities is enlarged.
 Realize Situation
 H. K. Clark, of the Norton Co.,, worcester, Mass, chairman of the industrial supply defense committee, who presided at the meeting, also urged that we who are in Wash ington so much of the time know that these shortages will catch up with you all sooner than you think" "
 MT. Clark emphasized that while we are not actually at war now, our economy is beginning to be orga- nized as though we were. He ad- vised the gathering of manufactur- CTS ito wake up for their own good"
 Cooperation Urged
 A final speaker was H. F. Sey- mour, of the industrial supply de- fense committee, who appealed fol cooperation from the manuf cturel to make the industrial rating system workable and useful. He pointed out that the relative ease with which distributors are now able to takt care of orders is deceptive, and may not long continue. Cooperation o' the entire industry is necessary tt preserve what supplies are at pres ent available, he pointed out.
 In discussing the defense supplies rating plan, MT. Overlook insisted on the necessities of priorities, an, said it was up to business to mak' the sacrifices thus entailed. HI pointed to the use of plastics to re place metals which are running low as well as to the growth Of stand ardization and the abandonment 0 tools of special and unusual sizes a valuable methods of attacking tn problem of shortages.
 From Many Places
 Last nights meeting, which file the auditorium and overfiowed int the gymnasium, where a specii loudspeaker was installed, and whic attracted industrialists from Spring field and Boston, from Newark an Jersey City, was the initial gun in campaign which will take the speak CTS to Cleveland for similar meet ing before the week Is over. The ses sion at Wilby was termed very i'm pressive" by Frank J. Green, of tn Chamber of Commerce, this morn ing.
 The audience, including abou 1900 manufacturers and distributor or their representatives, sat througl an hour and half of intense hea in the auditorium to hear the detail of the defense supplies rating plar which aims to enable manufacturer to obtain sufficient materials to kee output in advance of specific order!
 Gov. Calls Session
 A meeting of large and sma. manufacturer throughout the stat has been called by Gov. Robert 4 Hurley for Aug. 21, at Hartford Some of the problems raised in las nights meeting will undoubtedly b discussed further at this time.