Evening star., 1942-11-15
|WPB Outlines Gains
From Standardization
of Consumer Goods
Clothing, Furnishings
Cited os Fields for
Greatest Sovinqs

War Production Board officials
believe that considerable savings
OF money, materials and manpower
can be squeezed from the civilian
economy in carrying out the direc-
tive of Economic Sterilization Di-
rector James. F. Byrnes to stand
ardize and simplify production and
distribution of civilian goods, but
they warn that materials for ex-
pansion and repair of municipal
utilities already are cut beyond the
normal danger point.
WPB, they feel, has only scratched
the surface in Standardization and
simpliflcation of the things civilians
buy and use. There are tremendous
opportunities for savings in stand
ardlzlng textiles, particularly cloth
ing and home furnishings. shoes,
furniture and containers of all sorts,
The order banning cuffs for mems
trousers, "zoot" suits and limiting
the material for womens wear, were
mere starters in what WPB plans
to DO to clothing of all types. The
plan is to reduce the number of
weaves, patterns and colors of the
various fabrics so that the things
people wear will be as simple as
possible. Chairman Donald M. Mel
SON stated there was no desire to
make uniforms for civilians. but
there will not be wide choice when
the Standardization experts get
through.
Candy Needs Studied.
An official said, that little could
be done in standardizing foods. For
example. limiting the sizes and
shapes OF candy bars wouldn't do
much good. He did say, however.
that the Agriculture Department is
studying the problem of the es-
sentiality of candy in the Nations
wartime diet with a view toward
limiting production or possibly
eliminating it altogether.
The problem of finding enough
materials to expand sewer. water,
gas and light systems of cities in
crowded war production areas, and
to repair utilities in other munich
paltles, is great, the official said.
He said WPB was holding tight"
on materials for utility expansion.
1t is often necessary to load water
and sewer systems beyond the nor
mally practicable danger point" He
added the materials shortage was
SO great that WPB was gambling"
on possible breakdowns Of utilities
and regularly forcing the use of
standby equipment He admitted
that the situation in many cities
was extremely serious.
Delving further into the field of
clothes simplif1cation, the ofhcial
said survey of 100 cities showed
that specifications OF police uni
Iorms were different in 38 instances,
So, a standard police uniform will
be devised.
Color Varieties to Be Cut.
The recent order banning two
tone shoes was described as only
partial simplif1cation." The Official
believes much more progress can
be made in making the footwear
OF all one pattern.
The numbers of colors and weaves
IN .neckties can be reduced. Skirts,
underclotheS, socks. women's UNDER
wear, dresses of various cloths can
be made of single weave. In this
way less men and fewer machines
in clothing manufacture can put
out the same number of garments
as are now produced.
In reducing the number of lines
OF clothing and other civilian goods.
the officials said the more expensive
types, fancy with frills and many
colors. would be eliminated. and
the less expensive lines retained.
Through all of the program, Mr.,
Byrnes, who yesterday called upon
Mr.. Nelson to institute "vigon6us
program" of simplidcation and
Standardization to determine bed
rock" minimum civilian needs. will
be cast in the role of "needler.
Mr.. Byrnes is interested not only
in saving manpower and materials,
but in bringing down the cost of
living.
Containers to Be Standardized.
WPB officials say that much ma
terial and labor can be saved by
standardizing containers of all sorts.
1nefncient shapes will be eliminated.
the move to larger sizes already is
underway. The shift to glass will be
made ii savings can be realized.
Container material shortages are
listed In this order: rubber for seal
ing. metal for sealing. plastic clos
ures, cork liners. other liners, glass.
The official said simplifcation of
household furniture will be carried
much further and there probably
will emerge a sort of "victorv" tvpe