Evening star., 1943-01-29
Jeffers' Rubber
Priorities Cut
To43.6Pct.
Ratings Are Issued
Following Decision
By White House
(Story on Poge AID
By JAMES Y. NEWTON.

Higher priority ratings were is
sued today to enable immediate
completion of plants to produce
452, 900 tons of synthetic rubber
annually, or 43,6 per cent of the
giant program recommended in
the Baruch committee report,
The Star learned authoritatively.
The figure is substantially less
than "the irreducible minimum"
demanded by Rubber Director
William M. Jeffers.
Based on the same calculations
used by WPB Chief Donald M. Nell
son in telling Senate committee
Tuesday that SIS per cent. of the
rubber program would get a green
light" the actual priority grant will
enable immediate completion OF
materially" less than so per cent,
it was said
White House Decision.
The final decision, it is under-
stood, was made by the White House,
Figures were pared below those
asked by Mr.. Jeffers and recon-
mended by Mr.. Nelson, because OF
insistence of top Army and Navy
officials that any further help to
rubber would impede greatly the
carrying out of the vital programs
to produce high-octane gasoline,
escort vessels and merchant Ship
ping.
The White House decision today
ends finally the long-standing dis
pute between Mr.. Jeffers, the Army
and Navy over what portion of the
rubber program should be given
precedence over the other competing
war programs. During the dispute,
which lasted three weeks, it was
understood James F. Byrnes, stabili-
zatlon director, served as referee
Mr.. Jeffers refused comment i'm.
mediately as to the effect of the
action on his rubber program. Pre-
viously he had said that unless
granted ratings to obtain equipment
for immediate completion of the "ir-
reducIble minimum" portion of the
| program, the Nation would face a
military disaster and a breakdown
of transportation.
Today's top priority directive plac-
ing that portion of the rubber pro-
gram above all other war produc.
ton, will enable completion Of plants
to produce 10000 tons of rubber q
year OF the three types in the over
all program-buna S, butyl and
neoprene.
Will Produce 145,000 Tons.
Plants which are either completed
or nearing completion without bene-
mt of an overriding directive, win
produce 145,000 tons annually. In
December Mr.. Jeffers obtained TOP
rating for plants to produce $1,000
tons. In percentages the total Is
43.6 Of the Baruch recommendation
The Baruch report called for
rubber program of 1,037,O00 tons .
year. OF this total about 80 per cent
was to be buna S type rubber. y
outyl and 6 per cent neoprene.
Under today's directive it will bs
possible to complete somewhat more
than 43.6 of the overall program
since it calls for completion of plants
to produce substantially larger
percentage of butadiene and styrene
ingredients of buna-S rubber, which
is considered the better al-purpoz
product.
Speeds Plant Completions,
The directive makes possible COM
pletion of plants to produce enough
butadiene for 45.6 per cent of the
overall porgram and styrene sufi-
cient to make 521 per cent called
for in the Baruch report.
Specifically. including authority in
the new directive, it will now be
possible to complete plants to pro-
duce butadiene sufficient to make
$4,000 tons of rubber, and styrene
enough for SGT 900 tons. Butadiene
and styrene are combined in an end
product or polymerization plant to
produce buna-S rubber. More as.
sistance to make the two ingredients
was given, since these are relatively
more uncertain processes than the
final manufacture of rubber.
Experts said it was impossible to
translate into terms used by Mr.. Mel
son before the Senate comittee Just
what percentage of the rubber pro-
gram can now go forward without
impeachment, but estimated it was
materially less than so per cent"
435,000 Tons Expected.
With the new directive, MIR. Jeffers'
Office should soon have facilities to
produce 435,000 tons of the 845 900
tons of buna-S rubber recommended
See RUBBER. Page A-3l