Evening star., 1942-10-18
Collection Of Scrap
In a. States Totals
2,753,675 Tons
Konsos Heads Nation;
Newspapers to Continue
Aid in Search
" tha Associated Press.

Aid in Search
~ the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, Oct. 1.-THE ma
tonal scrap metal drive led by the
newspapers ended in most States
today with the estimated tonnage
collected soaring toward the 3,00O,-
900 mark as returns continued to
pour in.
'It was democracy at its best in
action" said Richard w. Slocum,
chairman Of the Newspapers United
Metal Scrap Drive Committee, in
praising the efforts of the people of
the Nation and disclosing that the
newspapers would continue to help
the Governments search for indus
trial scrap.
Kansas. according to the tabula-
tton Of the committee, again headed
the Nation in salvage as A States
reported that so far they knew they
had gathered an estimated 2,753,675
tons-5,507, $50 900 pounds-for a per
capita average Of 46.9 pounds.
Delaware was second with a total
OF 12,026 tons, an average of 90.1
pounds for every man, woman and
child IN the State, while industrial
Pennsylvania was third with 424,-
2e0 tons, q per capita average of
S5.7 pounds.
Kansas Collects S7,372 Tons.
Kansas. which had led the coun-
try for almost the entire last week
dropped briefly out of the top spot,
and then today again climbed into
the No. 1 position, with 81 pounds
per capita-a total tonnage of
e7,372.
The various States will continue
reporting new totals next week
since, because Of the widespread
distribution Of scrap everywhere,
no final tally was possible at this
date.
Therefore, the States in the lead
now may slip down a few notches
by the middle of next week if other
States report better collections.
The drive began in most States
II days ago. In some it started
earlier, finished earlier. In others
1t started later, will finish later.
1T is always gratifying to be told
that q Job has been splendidly done -
said Mr.. Slocum In commenting on
congratulations extended to the Ma
tion's newspapers by Donald M. Mel
son, War Production Board chief,
who said they had done a mag
nificent" and unprecedented" serv-
Ice.
Slocum Issues Statement.
Mr.. Nelson had asked the news
papers last September 4, when
shortage Of scrap threatened pro-
duction Of steel by the mills, to take
the lead in rousing the Nation to
a realization that salvage of old
iron and steel was vital for the
war effort.
Mr.. Slocur1 said:
Newspapers of the country ap-
preciate very much the fine tribute
paid to them by the Government
through Donald Nelson. While such
q tremendous job, to be done in a
hurry, needed strong Nationwide
leadership which the newspapers
supplied, the success achieved would
not have been possible without the
spontaneous rallying Of the people
OF the country under the news
papers leadership. ---.-,
Almost overnight, newspapers
made the Nation acutely scrap con-
scious. Millions of people all over
the country Immediately responded,
working hard. giving long hours.
They went through their attics and
cellars, and over their yards and
farms and gladly gave up things of
useful metal, many of which they
had priced for years.
The great upsurge Of action ev-
erywhere, the countless instances
OF individual initiative and sacrifice
never can adequately be translated
into words. 1t is a story of what
people will do when they are asked
to meet a problem. There were no
demands, no orders. 1t was democ-
racy at its best in action.
Newspapers all over the country
gave without stint of their time,
materials and resources. Newspaper
STATS eagerly sought the assignment
and worked without regard to hours,
glad to do something to aid so di-
rectly the men who are risking their
lives for us.
Need Continues.
THE newspaper drive, as such, is
ending in most cities. Some cities
started later and their announced
campaigns are not yet completed.
Some cities will decide that good as
Is the job that has been done they
can do more because of local con-
ditions, and their drive will therefore
not close at this time.
"One thing every one should keep
In mind is that the need for scrap is
q continuing one. 1t will last as long
as the war lasts. Every available
pound of metal is needed.
People everywhere should take
another look, and whatever they find
which Is needed on the scrap pile
should be gotten there. Local char
tiles and civic organiza tions in many
instances will be glad to have it,
or it can always be sold to the junk
dealer. Either way, it will do its
Job.
Mr.. Nelson emphasized a special
need for more of the heavy and in
dustrial scrap. He asked the news
papers to help the War Production
Board in its own intensive drive for
such scrap. Plans for effective aid in
that drive are now being formu-
lated"
Tonnage by States.
Here were the other Al reporting
States whose estimated collections
with pounds per person listed first
and then by tonnage:
NEoyforo az C321p. Rhode