Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-10-04
Markets & Business
WPB Reveals
New Problems
Facing Nation

willy tN0hNh
WASHINGTON. oct prod
uctS as widely unrelated as mate
rails for sole leather, pulpwood
from which newsprint and ex-
ploSives are mace, and the new
miracle drug, penicillin. and Tin
cans occupied prime places in the
consciousness of the War Produc-
ton Board during the past week.
Each of these has an important
bearing on our civilian economy
and the progress Of our military
forces.
Before the war this nation
walked on approximately 425, 0O0.-
900 pairs of soles, not counting
house slippers and fancy types.
The civilian needs of wartime
have increased these requirements
because Of greater employment
and greater activity. At the same
time the supply OF sole materials
is diminished.
WPB has begun 10 give serious
consideration 10 the use of syn
thetic rubber and plastics TO re-
lieve the shortage. New shoes
you may buy this winter may have
SoleS made of these materials.
Present plans call for the produc-
ton of at least 100000 pairs of
shoes with rubber soles during the
fourth quarter.
TIN CAN DRIVE
During the past week WPB
Chairman Donald NJ. Nelson
kicked off new and intensified
tin can salvage drive.
Ways and means 10 get more
penicillin were discussed here
during the week by representa-
tives of II companies who are
producing or will shortly be pro-
duclng this miracle drug. These
executives met with the drug Sec
ton of WPB's chemical division.
AS result of these conversations
the penicillin program is expected
to be accelerated, although it may
still be many months before the
planned capacity is attained.
DR.. A. w. LeScohier of Parke,
Davis e Co. of Detroit, and DR..
II. s. Adams of the Upjohn Co.
of Kalamazoo. who are members
Of this industry's advisory COM
mittee, attended these sessions.
PULPWOOD SHORTAGE
The shortage of pulpwood,
needed in the manufacture of
newsprint as well as for the pro-
duction of explosives and ammu-
milton, is still causing much agi-
tation. To stimulate pulpwood
cutting, seven regional Offices
were established throughout the
country. These STATS will work
with the various interests which
provide and fabricate pulpwood.
Within a week WPB plans to
interview wholesalers and retail
ers in 20 cities concerning their
distribution problems. War Food
Administration and the Office of
Civilian Requirements plan TO
hold these joint conferences. Pur-
pose Of these talks is to determine
problems in the flow of available
civilian goods and the effective
ness of the civilian distributive
system under wartime conditions.
WA representatives will inter-
view food merchants and OCR
STATS will meet with all other
types of merchants.
LIST NEW BANS
WPB has banned production of
advertising theatrical and other
non-esSential types of banners and
flags. Manufacture of any flag
over 80 feet square is also taboo.
But official, as we'll as religious,
service and signal flags will con-
tinue to be produced. Total an
nual consumption of rayon and
cotton fabrics for flags is now
about 100000 yards. of which
approximately half is for direct
government use.
INtSlIlCllOIlS OIi the liidNllls vi
illuminated exit signs for public
buildings were lifted.
Production of large capacity Of
scales used primarily for CONNER
cial purposes is curtailed 10 save
several thousand tons of steel an
nually. Because of the shortage
of regular drum sheets for ship
ping drums. cold-rolled { e e
sheets may have to be substituted.
More panties and slips for in
fants, girls underwear, shorts for
boys. children's bathrobes, crib
blankets. buntings. night gowns,
paiamas and quilted pads will be
manufactured.
The nations dry cleaners need
more hangers and a drive will be
started TO collect both metal and
wooden hangers. The 10000 tons
of steel which were used to make
these are now being used to build
s h 90 ng equipment. And the
emergency paperboard hangers
are getting scarce because of the
wood pulp shortage.
Lansing Realtors