Evening star., 1942-08-07

IHULtSHSu StOT LCS HuDC tGUtbGu
criticism at the Army for alleged
failure to depelop satisfactory
program to co1serDE raW mate
ridls and to proDide substitutes.
In this exclusive interpetD, 1t.
Gen. Brehon Sor,erpeu, chief OF
the Army's Serpices OF Supply,
makes a statement setting forth
In detail the accomplishments OF
Arn,ys materials conservation
program.
BY BLAIR BOLLES.
1t. Gen. Brehon Somervell. COM
manding general of the Army's
Services of Supply. whose job 1t is
to get the tools of war into the hands
of the democratic warriors scattered
over the earth. called today for mar
rover restrictions on the civilian use
of raw materials If we are to beat
the Axis.
In an exclusive interview in his
Office at the Munitions Building,
Gen. Somervell, whose get-it-done-
now attitude has won him the title
Of Gen. Dynamite" around here.
declared he was confident the raw
materials crisis could be whipped by
devotion to this program:
/. "Cut out ruthiessly and fanat-
icaliy every nom essential use OF ma
terials" needed for the fighting
forces of the United States and the
United Nations supplied through
lease lend.
2. Increase the supplies Of the raw
and finished materials by "over-
reaching ourselves to do better than
we know how" in mining, manufac-
turing and perfecting substitutes for
scarce materials.
8. Apply the available supplies to
the most important uses first.
(which are the uses for the Army
and Navy, ships, tanks, cannon, am
munition and so forth"
Supplies Sent Overseas.
To emphasize the magnitude OF
the American production task, Gen.
Somervell disclosed that during the
eight months since Pearl Harbor,
the United States has sent overseas
three times as much goods as we
sent over during the first eight
months Of our participation in the
World War.
But that's not near enough"
the general said. There's nothing
to be satisfied about" From 8 am.
to midnight every day he drives
himself in perpetual dissatisfaction
with his stupenddous accomplish
ments, always seeking something
better. He has become such cor
ner-cutter and time-saver that he
has dropped his middle initial Of "B"
(for Burke) for the duration.
Under Gen. Somervell's supervi-
sion, the Army has gone thrifty. 1t
is carrying out q materials conserva-
ton program, based on the use of
substitutes, which, the general said,
is expected to save in 1942 and 1913:
Two hundred and sixty million
pounds of aluminium, AZ, 900 900 Of
copper, 10000 900 OF zinc. 1900, 900
Of chromium, 1,O00, 600 of cobalt, 63,-
000, 900 OF nickel, 10000 90 OF tung-sl
SJCu, S,UUV,VOV vi tNlkAAxA1Ay 0V5NssN1
Of tantalum, 30, 900 900 Of tin. r.
100000 Of mica, 200, 0,000, 900 Of rub
Der and 100000 of manila fiber.
Nickel and Copper Saving.
The Army, Gen. Somervell said,
is substituting steel for brass cart
ridge cases, and there alone he esti-
mated 400 000, 900 pounds Of copper
will be saved. The projected nickel
saving Is equal to the United States
total supply for four months.
Aluminium, he said, IS being ruled
out for use on all non-aircraft ma
terial wherever possible. The
chrome content Of many steels is
being cut down by two thirds. The
use of copper and zinc is ruled out
for every item except ammunition
where steel or other materials could
not be substituted.
by doing without things now,"
Gen. Somerven said, civilians can
make sure they won't have to face
the long-term do-without policy
that an Axis win would insure for
them.
I'VE don't want to be using steel
for corset stays at time like this"