Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1942-03-13
SHORTAGE OF
MATERIAL FACTOR
In PRODUCTION

The war production BOARD Sdlu
shortages of some materials and man
power were more limiting factors in
all-out production than difficulties in
obtaining production facilities. The
Board reported airplane production,
though ahead of schedule, would be
more advanced if more materials had
been available Chairman Nelson said
he has not recognized the POSSIBLE
ty" that any phase of the production
program would fail to meet the goals
announced by President Roosevelt.
To speed production Mr. Nelson or
dered all war supply contracts to be
negotiated instead of determined by
competitive bidding. Contracts will
be assigned to firms requiring small
est quantities of new equipment to
fill orders, he said. The WPB began
an inventory of all idle machine tools
to make them available for war pro-
duction.
The WPB said war expenditures
during February reached nearly $1OO
million day, Is percent greater than
in January. RFC disbursements and
Treasury checks for war purposes to-
tailed $3.50 million for the month.
The Board announced mass produc-
ton of tanks making greater use Of
cast steel and welded hulls has begun.
Strip mills that last year made sheet
steel for automobile bodies are be-
ing converted to manufacture ship
plate. The Navy Ordnance Bureau
said its contractural obligations in
creased 40 percent in the two months
after Pearl Harbor.
Price Administrator Henderson re-
ported United Nations rubber re-
quirements will not allow any rubber
for new or recapped tires for non
essential passenger cars. There is not
sufficient rubber now to sustain the
rate of military production and the
most essential civilian needs, he said
To insure maximum durability of
tires now being recapped, Mr.. Hender-
son said he is developing minimum
standards for grades of recapping
material being manufactured. The
WPB reported athletic equipment
manufacturers experimenting with
reclaimed rubber have developed SER
viceable squash and tennis balls and
are working to develop an all-reclaim-
ar Section began a survey of the sug-
ar situation in all non-Axis countries
to find all supplies of sugar avail
able to the United Nations.
The WPB stopped all sales and de-
liveries of new and used typewriters.
Chairman Nelson authorized the Of
flee of Price Administration to ration
such typewriters at both wholesale
and retail levels. Petroleum Coordi-
nator IIckes said gasoline very likely
will be rationed if the war council of
the petroleum industry recommends
such action.
President Roosevelt authorized the
OCDto begin placing orders for civil
ian defense workers equipment and
medical supplies. OCD Director Ian
dis requested civic officials to ask
OCD Headquarters for equipment be-
cause distribution will be based on a
priorities system established by the
War and Navy Departments. Priori-
ties will be based on likelihood of at
tack, vulnerability, and Importance to
war production of manufacturing
plants in the community,
The House passed and sent to con-
ference bill providing the War
Damage Corporation with a fund of
billion dollars to insure property in
the u. S. against damage by enemy
attack. Director Lands said regional
blackouts are planned for later in the
spring, and a New England test
blackout probably will be held this
month. He announced plan where
by the 5000 posts of the Veterans OF
Foreign Wars will cooperate with To-
cal defense councils in civilian mobil
ization.
Gen. MacArthur's small air force
sank more than 10000 tons of Jap
anese shipping in Subic Bay, result
ing in the loss of thousands of enemy
soldiers. U. S. forces in operation.
west of Gilbert Islands destroyed II
of a formation Of Is Japanese heav!