Evening star., 1943-01-10
Continued From Page B-1)

under which petroleum could be with
held from consumption indefinitely,
either underground or in reserve tanks.
In the capitalistic United States, 1t is
argued, the profit motive during pre-war
years impelled producers and dealers to
whip up maximum volume and speed in
both output and consumption.
According to the WPB annual report
for 1912 mot one mineral escaped the
pressures of war during our first year
of the conflict Shortage materials may
be divided into two classes, depending on
whether the principal supplies are avail
able at home or must be imported. High
in the second category are rubber, tin
and five of the six alloying metals
nickel. chromium, manganese, tungsten
and vanadium.
Whether the United States and Great
Britain will be able to carry on effectively
with the war hangs literally on the sue
cess Of the American synthetic rubber
program, which is not due to reach ade-
quate operation for another year or
more. Tin Is essential to the war effort
as component of bronze.
The only sources remaining to the
United States are Bolivia and the ma
tional stockpile, which is not expected
to provide more than 5000 tons year.
Japanese purchasers of tin plate clip
pings bid up the market during the ap-
peasement era to such an extent that
the American de-tinning industry was
put out of business. From these clip
pings the Japs recovered both tin and
iron. They now command above 10 per
cent of the worlds supply Of tin.
In 1941 the United States imported
141 900 tons of this metal, of which more
than 80 per cent came from the Far East
The Long Horn Tin Smelter In Texas
the first plant of the kind in the Western
Hemisphere, is being expanded to an
annual capacity Of 100000 tons, which
will be able to handle all the tin availa-
bic to the United Nations, including Bo-
livian output The country faces long
term shortage Of tin.
The sixth steel alloying metal is molyb-
denum, Of which the United States in
1912 produced IS per cent OF the worlds
supply, with an increase Of one-seventh
promised for 1943. But molybdenum has
become q deficiency rather than a sur
plus material because of the necessity
of substituting it for scarcer alloy metals.
Among these is nickel, with per-
manent shortage in prospect Canada's
output OF some 100000 tons year is far
from satisfying war demands, which
quadrupled in 1912 and will be multiplied
by f1ve in 1943. The American scrap pile
yields no more than 1000 or 5000 tons
annually Resort is being made to low
grade deposits in Cuba.
Chromium Production Increased.
chromite ores in Montana, California
and oregon, the United States boosted
domestic production Of chromium, vital
for stainless steel, from 269 tons in 1885
to more than 100000 tons In 1912. But
the war will demand something in ex-
cess Of 100000 tons this year. Strenu-
Gus efforts are afoot to make up the diff
ference through imports from South
Africa, Cuba and, If possible, Turkey In
the meantime, civilian supplies have
been cut to 3 per cent of their former
total.
Last year witnessed greater than 10
per cent shortage Of tungsten, without
which, in the form Of cemented carbides
with hardness rivaling that Of the dia-
mond, machine tools and armament it
self would be impossible. The United
States imported $500 tons Of tungsten
concentrates In 1899. The demand dou-
bled in 1912 and will be doubled again
this year. With Oriental supplies cut of
and the pre-war stockpile dwindling. the
country Is feverishly developing tung-
stem deposits in California and Nevada,
and stimulating other sources in Mexico,
Argentina. Bolivia, Chile and Peru.
The situation is somewhat better in
respect to vanadium. Domestic produc-
ton In 1943 is expected to double that
of 1912, as a result of subsidized exploit
tation of extremely low-grade ores. But
the chief supplies will continue to come
from South Africa and Mexico.
Manganese holds the most favorable
position of all the alloying metals.
Without the increase of single pound,
1t is declared, the American stockpile
could supply military needs for two years
to come. Manganese, purifying agent,
is an absolute requirement for every bit
Of steel produced.
Magnesium, m essential partner of
aluminium in aircraft manufacture, rep
resents one Of the triumphs Of Amer
lean industry. Its domestic production