Evening star., 1942-02-21


anese and Ger David Lawrence.
man military bases with devastating
results are certain raw materials
among them aluminium and mag
nesium.
In both these all-important metals
America and Canada alone have not
only passed the Axis powers in pro-
duction. but toward the end of 1912
and early 1943 will have reached a
production capacity far beyond the
factories Of our enemies.
Some idea of the magnitude OF the
expansion in aluminium may be de-
rived when it is considered that In
1889 the annual consumption in
America had reached about 440 ,0OO,-
900 pounds, whereas today plans
have been announced for approx
mateIy 5000 100000 pounds on the
North American continent alone to
be produced early next year.
Marnesium Output to Soar.
In magnesium, the 1889 produc-
ton was 67Oo,0O0 pounds and Ger
many had a long start with pro-
duction supposed to be somewhere
near 30O0O0,0OO pounds a year.
Counting plants built and building
America by the end of 1912 will be
producing not merely more magne-
SUM than Germany, but a total far
in excess. Exact figures cannot be
disclosed, but it is possible to say
that the expansion in the aluminium
industry, which was about tenfold'
NAV run in the case OF magnesium
to many times tenfold.
The man who has had direct
charge of this expansion program,
first for the o. P. M. and now for
the War Production Board, Is VIII
liam Bait.
He is an industrial engineer who
left his business to become a dollar
a-year man here. His job was the
presidency of SKF Roller Bearing
Co. He brought to bear the princl-
niles and lessons of industrial engl-
neering and assembled a staff OF
metallurgical experts familiar with
the products needed in the defense
program.
Mr. Bait was one Of the first to
cry out for an annual aluminium
production Of 1,4o0 900. 900 pounds
and now that this is in fair way to
being realized and the Interior De-
partment has announced that the
electric power capacity to produce
another 600 100000 pounds Will
shortly be available, the immensely
of the aluminium program can be
understood.
While there is an abundance OF
aluminium planned for military pur-
noses. this does not mean that
either the Army or Navy can be
permitted to waste aluminium by
insisting on metal for things that
can be made with substitute prod
ucts. Mr.. Bait is constantly urging
conservation and economy and
that's one reason why despite the
huge amounts to be forthcoming
aluminium must nevertheless be
carefully allocated and It's uses
limited.
Several Processes Used.
In magnesium a truly fantastlc
result is being achieved. Dow Chem
tcal Co., the pioneer in America is,
of course. the mainstay of the pro-
gram and the processes it has de-
veloped have been placed at the
disposal of other companies and
Government plants. America isn't
depending on one process, however,
and Is also utilizing the processes
adapted from European and jap
anese users.
Along with the Dow Chemical the
big magnesium job is being accom-
plished by Diamond Alkali Co.
Matthieson Alkali Works, Union
Potash Co., Permanente Metals
Corp, all of whose plants are al
ready in operation or nearly so. AS
for expansion, the Government has
called in Union Carbide and Carbon
Co.. American Metals Co., New Eng
land Lime Co. and the Ford Motor
Car Co. to prepare new plants or
help in production with new proc
esSeS.
Each of these companies will have
played a vital part in the march
to victory, provided their workers
cooperate and their arrangements
give every bit of skill and energy
possible to the achievement OF the
big tasks that lie ahead. The War
and Navy Departments have started
a scheme for awarding flags of
meritorious achievement in the
making of ordnance materials or
shipbuilding and the idea might well
be extended to every raw material
producer who either makes his
schedule or succeeds in beating it.
For that's where the war will be
won-on the production line-and
it's gratifying to be able from time
to time to report the excellent
progress that's being made.
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