Evening star., 1942-03-22
Plumbing
Continued From First Page.)

The situation, it was understood,
resulted in nat instructions to Mr..
Timmis from his superiors that
production of domestic radiator
systems and automatic oil burners
and stokers be Immediately and
drasticany curtailed.
The plumbing and heating branch
employs 80 persons and is operat-
ing on a 100000 budget.
There is evidence that in spite
of this group. the plumbing and
heating industry is still using scarce,
strategic material to produce nom
essential commodities for civilian
use.
The plumbing and heating branch
has never issued any restraining or
ders. On the contrary. it has-by
various means-made it possible for
that industry to continue to de-
liver oil burners to dealers in the
East. where there is a severe short
age of.fuel oil.
Waste Motion" Admitted.
Until another Government agency
stepped in and ordered a halt on
sale of fuel oil to newly installed
burners, nothing drastic had been
done to halt this trade.
If the 80 employees of the plumbing
and heating branch have not
brought forth orders limiting the
use of brass, nickel, chrome, ETC.,
it may be asked what they have
been doing?
One outraged worker in the
branch told The Star that many
of his fellow employees, having moth
ing constructive to do, spent their
time copying names out Of direc-
tories, studying elementary PAM
phlets, etc.
Even Mr. Timmis admitted to The
Star there has been some waste
motion
A check on the work of the branch
shows that most of the employees
are still engaged in studies and
research to establish the basis for
conversion of the industry to war
work.
No Business As Usual.
All this does not mean that the
plumbing and heating industry is
going along on business as usual
basis. AS a matter of fact most
manufacturers have converted to
war work or gone out OF the plumb
ing and heating business.
That is not because of anything
the plumbing and heating branch
has done. 1t is due to the fact
the manufacturers can no longer
get the materials they need, be-
cause Of priorities regulations and
other restrictions originating out
side this industry branch.
There is evidence, on the other
hand, that the plumbing and heat
ing branch has done everything
possible to help the industry carry
on business as usual"
Critics of the plumbing and heat
ing branch point out that the in
dustry flourished for many years
without the help of a Government
bureau. If the industry was merely
to do business, the critics ask, why
was it necessary to hire 80 people
and spend 100000 to see that it
did what it had always done?
Order Doesn't Stop Anything.
If, however, the 80 people were
supposed to force the industry into
war work, why has that not been
done?
The plumbing and heating branch
was established early in October.
Mr.. Timmis was an assistant chief,
succeeded to his present position
as chief in January.
Mr.. Timmis says that he believes
it was necessary for his organiza-
ton to make detailed study of
the needs of the industry before
issuing any other limitation orders.
During the time the studies were
going on, he claims, the plumbing
and heating industry was effectively
prevented from using excessive
quantities OF strategic materials by
priorities regulations.
Mr.. Timmis did not explain why,
if his group had enough informa-
ton on the industry to prepare