The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-11-18
PROBING FOR RUBBER

Senator Guy NJ. Gillette, Iowa
Democrat, will turn the searchlight
OF public information onto the rub.
Der issue II he carries out his threat
OF a congressional investigation TO
determine why recommendations OF
the Baruch Committee have not
been followed. It's rubber that he
really is after no doubt, but he
may also be interested in a vague
rumor 10 the effect that rubber is
not being produced from alcohol be
cause some OF the biz money boys
are suspected OF having invested
rather heavily in the alcohol indus.
try. If this is true It might react
later against the innocent man who
promotes the manufacture of alec
hol rubber. An investigation now
would enable government officials
70 start with a clean slate. And
that is not bad idea
The proposed inquiry would prob
ably call for appearance OF Rubber
'NCzsr" William letters and War
Production Board officials before
the Senate Agriculture SubcOmmit
tee, OF which Senator Gillette is
head. It was this committee that
urged appointment Of car fol
lowing a detailed study OF the gen
eral situation. and after it was
found that a huge expansion OF the
alcohol industry would be necessary
10 make the synthetic alcohol rub
Der program a success. One reason
for endorsing this type of rubber
was that farm products could be
extensively used and would there
fore help agriculture.
Now when Senator Gillette says
he wants TO know why the Baruch
Committee recommendations have
ut been given more attention. he
appears 10 have definite move 10
mind. Our subcommittee will con
tinue," he says, land If definite &C
ton is not taken in a very short
time We will make 1t our business
TO inquire definitely why.
The synthetic rubber program
would require an additional produc-
tion of 525.0O0.00 gallons Of indus
trial alcohol annually, in addition to
the estimate made last march Of
365, 10000 gallons annually needed
in the munitions industry.
Declining to place the blame for
lack OF action on any individual or
any particular governmental agen-
cy, Gillette declares. There has
been a deplora5le lack of foresi-ht
on the part OF the War Production
Board and It's predecessor (Office
OF Production Management 10 an
ticipate the expanding alcohol
needs" Cessation Of the production
OF beverage alcohol in order 10 de-
vote all facilities 10 the production
OF industrial alcohol has been OF
some aid, but the aid has been .
drop in the bucket
Comparing the industrial alcohol
situation with the agricultural in
dustry, the senator expresses fear
OF a serious food shortage in the
United States by July, 1913, because
OF the removal Of farm labor into
industry and into the armed sery-
ices.
The most pressing need OF the
farmer today is floor for his mar
ket and ability to plan his crops in
the face Of prioritles for necessary
materials
Blame for the situation OF agri-
culture" says Gillette. can be laid
10 the fact that no steps have been
taken 10 correct the farmers situa-
ton and a failure 10 grasp the need
and. factors essential to produc-
ton"
Regarding such subjects Senator
Gillette should be in position TO
speak with authority, which means
that farm relief and more farm
labor are highly essential. His
threatened rubber probe also should
mean that the public is to have the
truth about the general situation to
replace rumors which seem unbe.
lievable, but which, II true, should
be quickly corrected. There is no
room for profiteering in this war.
We need rubber and We should have
II without financial advantage for
anyone.
puv Mora WA HondH