Milford chronicle., 1941-09-12

priorities have on the supply OF
goods for civilian user At this
time, it is impossible to give an
exact answer to that question. But,
judging by information from WASH
ington and the industrial centers, it
looks like we're going to have
enough of all the necessities and
many of the luxuries of life to keep
us going in comfortable style.
There will be shortages in some
lines, but there will be no grave
disruption of the American eco
nomic system or the American
standard of living, unless some un-
looked-for cataclysm occurs. A
lack of some important materials
will make the use of substitutes
necessary, but, according to the ex-
perts, these substitutes will be
generally adequate in quality and
reasonable in price. Here is how
the outlook shapeR up at this
writing:
Clothing
No serious shortage in sight,
though there is none too much lea
ther on hand, in the light Of mill
tary needs. Prices will probably
go considerably higher for shoes
and suits. In the case of lower
price goods, quality may have to
be lowered. Within a, few months,
silk stockings are expected to en-
tirely disappear from the market,
and there Is not enough nylon and
rayon to supply the demand. How
ever, new types of cotton stockings
are being developed, and are said to
be excellent.
Automobiles
1t has not yet been decided to
what extent production will be cut.
Best guess is that 1912 output will
be at least 25 per cent under the
record level established in 1941.
1t will be necessary for dealers to
make larger profits per unit, SO
trade-in values will be lower. The
expected government excise tax
will up the price of new cars sub
stantially. There will be little
chromium trimming, and there will
be no aluminium for pistons, etc,
after present stocks in carmakers'
hands are exhausted.
OIL
The industry's capacity to pro-
duce is far beyond any demand
that can yet be foreseen. But the
transfer of tankers to Britain has
created something of a transpor-
tation problem in this field. Main |
shortage is along the Atlantic sea-
board, where some think ration
ing may be put into effect. In the
fOreseeable future, there will be
no lack of petroleum in other parts
of the country.
Household Appliances
Heavy cuts in production will be
made to conserve metals for mill
tary purposes. In the case of
washers and refrigerators, the cut
may go as high as so per cent.
However, the cut will be made, as
in the case of automobiles, on the
basis of 1941 record sales. So, for
some time to come at least, pro-
duction will be close to normal ley
els. 1t is reported that the substi-
tutes being used for aluminium and
nickel are satisfactory. Higher
prices are to be expected.
Food
No shortage of any food is an
ticipated- If rationing of certain
foods, such as in the last war, is
it will be very limited in
extent.
Housing
In certain areas, notably those
which contain major defense indus
-ries, there is very grave short
age, and rents are soaring. This
s one of the toughest problems the
country has on its hands now.
Electric Power
Shortages exist in a few areas, I
md utility experts say this is
argely due to the governments
anti-utility" policy which has
prevented much private expansion.
The utilities, however, are now
'lanning an ambitious develop !.
nent program, and are confident of !
heir ability to meet the demand. \
n most of the country there is !,
'lenty of juice for both industrial :
nd household needs. ,
What it all adds up to is that !, !,
re will have less non-military pro- =
uctiOn of good many commodi- ?
les-but the pinch will not be any
here near so severe as scare ru- =
lors might lead us to anticipate. g
is generally believed that the
verage price level will go ten or .s .s
fteen per cent higher, and most u
overnment experts do not seem to =.
eel that any danger of real infla- " "
on has yet appeared. Great hopes l
re pinned ON higher taxes as a "
'eapon against nfiation-they will 9
eprive the consumer of a large .. sc
art Of the increased income which W W
ar spending is producing. In ad- y
Ition, Congress will undoubtedly " "
ass some kind of price.control ~ ~
gislation. NJ
Emphasis is being placed now on ~ ~
aking goods give better service. w
economists tell us to drive our cars ne
over to save motors, rubber and ~
ls; to have our shoes resoled and ~ ~
If clothes repaired, instead of I'd "a
lying new. That is good advice. u. ~,
-oOo- su
An emperor of ancient times, af- er
r winning a great battle, said al
is: "One more such victory, and a..
will be ruined" His losses of ln
en- and material had been SO great W. ,,'
at victory left his people weary, ~. IN
hausted, and low in morale. sli sl
Some think that may be Hitler's so' so'
te even if he finally subdues Rus he' ,'H
1. At a conservative estimate he .n De
8 lost, in killed and wounded, .l' .L'
100000 men, and they are the ny ny
cam of the Reichswehr. In the CO.