Evening star., 1942-02-12
Germany Is Exehing
Pressure on Plants
To Feed War Machine
Shortages in Labor and
Materials Are Noted
In Press Every Doy
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
BERN, Switzerland, Feb. l2-The
pressure on German industry to feed
the war machine for spring offen-
sive is growing and has closed down
on both exports and production for
home consumption.
The decree of Propaganda Min
lister Paul Joseph Goebbels banning
Industrial fairs is one evidence of
the tremendous effort being mace to
stand against American production
capacity.
Transportation difficulties also give
little room for the immediate future
for exports.
The task before German indus
try is tremendous Shortages of la
Dor, coal, electrical power and many
raw materials are daily noted in
the German press, with admonitions
that greater efforts must be made.
The inference is plain-that spring
Is near and that the vital prepara-
tions for a vast scale of operations
y
Losses Result in Strain.
Foreign military observers here
believe Germany is still able to keep
replacements abreast of her plane
losses, but the loss of heavier ma
terials in Russia, such as guns and
tanks, has placed the greatest strain
on German industry.
A remedy for the shortage in oil
probably will be sought in a spring
drive to the Caucasus.
The importation of foreign work.
ers is counted on the most to remedy
the shortage of labor Even before
the war German workers were
strained to the utmost and
symptoms of fatigue were noted
among many" one German indus
trial report admits.
While Germany proper is endeav-
oring alone to handle the produc-
ton Of the heaviest war materials,
the occupied countries have been
designated to concentrate on civil
needs.
Nevertheless, these countries too
are getting military assignments so
that almost the whole continent OF
Europe is forging arms which Ger
many needs" German Gen. Her
mann Won Hannecken wrote in the
current issue of Four Year Plan
Competitive Bidding Banned.
Here are some of the things being
done in the German battle of pro-
duction:
A series Of current DEGREES an
nounced the conversion of con-
siderable number of the limited
civilian factories to armaments.
A decree banned any competi-
tive bidding and fixed the basic
price of all armaments orders.
This price is based on the cal
culated number of hours of work
required for the job so-as ex-
planned by one Axis Dispatch
the producer will be interested in
cutting the time of production
and increasing the output, conse-
quently his chances of profit.
DEGREES ordered the consolida-
ton of as many plants as pos
sible in occupied France for bet
ter control of raw materials and
to save coal. German military
approval is required even for a
meeting of the board of direc-
tors Of corporations in Occupied
France.
Orders were given to Slovakia
to exploit the mercury mines at
Harlbana where production was
stopped in 1887 because it was
improbable. The Germans say
they are hopeful of $50 pounds
daily of this important war ma
terial.
Coal Badly Needed.
Gen. Hannecken, discussing Ger
man shortages, said the Nazis were
striving to obtain minerals in occu-
pied Russian territories, nickel from
the mines of Finland which never
were major producers, iron from
Norway and Spain, bauxite from
Italy, Hungary and Croatia, and OF
from Rumania.
He said Germany had doubled
coal production since 1888 through
exploitation of every possible source
in her own and Polish territories
Even so, coal is badly needed.
The search for raw material.
means that statues of Rousseau ane
other landmarks in Paris have beer
melted down.
In Belgium a ban against posters
for advertising has been ordered tx
save paper.
Tires Confiscated.
Automobile and bicycle tires have
been confscated in Finland.
Cellulose for textiles has been al.
lotted 80 per cent for the armie.
and 10 per cent for civilians because
timber is lacking.
Italy has contracted with Sweden
for cellulose and iron and steel ma.
chimes, in return for fruit, provided
transport difficulties can be over.
come with German cooperation,
an announcement said.