Evening star., 1945-03-18
Civilian Economy
Continued From First Page :,

ClliticS u pTOuuCe CdTDOn DldCk are
being rushed to completion.
Production officials were frankly
concerned about the effect Of the
amplifled tire shortage on the Ma
tion's already strained transporta-
ton system. They said measures
to improve the situation would be
discussed further with military of
| ficials
WPB Chairman J. A. Krug indi-
Gated that shortages of essentials
already were threatening to affect
war production. He said a lack of
work clothes was making it more
difficult to recruit manpower for a
number of vital industries in the
Pacific Northwest. Shortages of
heavy underclothing intensified the
production problem in some cold
areas this winter. Ammunition
plant workers in the Midwest have
been unable to obtain work gloves.
Military Men Sympathetic.
WPB emphasized the seriousness
of growing shortages of civilian
! goods at meeting several days
ago with high Army and Navy
officials. The military men were
said to be sympathetic and indicated
a willingness to help work out a
solution.
The theme of the meeting was
that supplies of all commodities
from basic raw materials to finished
products had dipped so low that
unlimited military demands no
longer could be met without ad-
verse affect on home front efficiency.
Consequently, in order to maintain
balance in the war effort maximums
for the military and minimums for
civilians must be established for the
more critical categories.
1t was not indicated that bed
| rock" limits would be established
| for all civilian goods, such as WPB's
Office of Civilian Requirements un-
dertook two years ago. Just essen
tials in critical supply would be so
treated
A major problem would be pre-
sented in setting civilian minimums
! for some items such as work clothes,
! 1t was said, since there is no con-
troll over distribution that would
make sure present supplies are be-
ing evenly divided Military off,
cials tended to doubt some of the
standard that were presented.
! The announcement of the meat
cut stated the Government would
undertake to parcel out livestock
more eQuitably among slaughterers
over the country to head off dire
shortages in areas away from pro-
ducing centers.
Regulations to Be Drafted.
The plan was agreed to at
meeting of War Mobilization. Di-
rector Byrnes and representatives
of six agencies. Regulations will be
drafted to carry out the scheme.
Adjustments will be made in sub
sidy payments to maintain the COM
petitive position among packers.
This distribution plan, the state
ment said, will not increase the
overall civilian supply which will re-
main tight in any event"
Limited supplies Of meat for
feeding civilians in liberated areas
are being. made available from
stocks held by the United King
DOM the statement continued.
The American military allotment
was increased 4 per cent for the
next three months. 1t was explained
the Army is feeding some also 900
persons besides its own personnel,
substantially higher total than
year ago. The extras" include
civilians overseas, war prisoners,
and fighting men of our lesser
Allies.
In the announcement on tires.
OPA said the supply situation was
so serious that all ration certificates
dated earlier than last Decem-