Evening star., 1942-06-13
Of Stars, Men
And Atoms
Notebook Of Science Progress
In Laboratory. Field
And Study
By Thomas r. Henri.

Iron and steel practically are elimi-
mated from civilian life In Germany.
A prohibition which extends from toy
soldiers to the handles of caskets-in-
cluding more than 1000 articles In
common use--has been issued by the
Central Authority for Iron and Steel"
headed by certain DR.. Kiegel.
This list recently has been obtained
and translated by metallurgists OF the
United States Bureau of Mines Metal
articles neither can be manufactured
nor purchased. The order practically
forces the German civilian to adjust to
a metal-less world. With customary
Teutonic thoroughness about everything
Is listed specifically by name
The housewife is hard-hit She can
not have any new apple grinder, meat
slicer, baking pan, biscuit box, fly swat
ter made of wire, egg beater, egg boiler,
ice crusher funnel, meat fork, meat
juice extractor, coffee urn, potato peeler,
cheese slicer. onion cutter. omelet turner,
carpet sweeper" This list includes about
$50 other common tools Of housekeeping.
Strictly prohibited are curling irons,
nail clippers, ear cleaners, razor sharp
eners, bathing cap buckles, hair curriers'.
hair pins. collar clasps. shoe buttons and
ornamental safety pins" To make sure
that no scrap OF steel which might help
make tank goes astray the thorough
DR.. Kiegel clamps down on writing
needles for blind persons and perfume
bottle openers"
Electrical household equipment almost
completely is prohibited There can be
no more door bells. earphones, eIec ic
razors. hand driers, sewing machine
motors" or a host OF other common
articles. The electric fiat iron is out.
and so are waffle irons, heating pads, foot
warmers and cigar lighters. DR.. Kieeel
did not overlook, as q means OF saving
a little iron, illuminated fountains for
gardens"
Almost every kind Of electric light is
banned. There can be no christmas
tree candles, lamps for Illuminating
house doors, bridge lamps, reading lamps.
billiard table lights or shaving mirror
lamps"
DR.. Kiegel steps into religious life by
prohibiting use OF iron for "crucihxes,
holy figures, prayer book decorations,
crosses for missions and altar lights"
These are classed as fancy goods and
costume Jewelry." In the same category
the ban falls on vanity cases, fancy
tobacco cases, cigar tip cutters. snufY
boxes, picture frames and ornaments
for ladies'"
In his list of prohibited articles fall
such things as tea sleeves. toothpick
holders. cheese borers, caviar coolers.
cork screws. crust-cutting wheels. cheese
niters, napkin rings, champagne stirrers
and grape scissors" Merry-go-rounds
are included with dog tax markers, shoe
horns, steel frames for eye glasses and
lorgnettes and all kinds of casket hard
ware No civilian can afford to be
caught buying or making an "armored
vest Mousetraps also are prohibited
IN some cases, 1t is pointed out, these
articles can be made without any metal,
but this would involve a revampinp of
machinery and a drair on materials of
even greater war importance. The order
applies. 1t is stated. not only to Ger
many but to "the newly acquired east
tern provinces, and to the regions of
Eupen, Malmedy and Moresnet."
The prohibition, the order states. is
absolute except where special orders are
issued in individual cases after applica-
tons have been received through oficial
channels. Exhaustive explana tons of
needs must be given, and these ex-
plantations will be kept on file 50 that
the individuals can be prosecuted If
they use the articles for other than
stated purposes.