Evening star., 1945-05-06
BY CARTER BROOKE JONES

If your car needs minor repairs,
such as adjustment in brakes or
steering gear, and you're not too
impatient, the chances are you can
get 1t flxed-eventually.
You may have to wait 10 days or
more. And you may have to take
it when somebody reminds you the
world is not yet at peace. But
your chances are pretty good.
If, on the other hand, your poor,
overworked bus needs a new crank
shaft or a cylinder block or re-
quires some other major operation
well, you'd better just hope that
We day or some other windfall
will ease the repair situation.
That, substantially, is what a
survey Of dealers who specialize in
repair jobs disclosed yesterday.
Labor Situation Bad.
A number of leading concerns re-
ported the manpower shortage at
the lowest point since Pearl Har-
Dor. Others said they had been able
to get some help lately, but most
Of it was unskilled and some. they
added, does not belong under the
heading of help.
One company was two to three
weeks behind on such jobs as tun-
ing up motors and adjusting lights
Major repair work was being turned
away regretfully.
1t was better, the manager of this
shop figured. to do minor jobs for
number Of persons than tie I'D
equipment and meager manpower
with major repairs for one GUS
toner.
Another dealer in repairs had a
different policy. He was taking
them as they came, regardless of
whether a job meant a few twists of
wrench or taking a motor apart.
Il take what I can" he explained,
"and turn the rest away"
Dodge Major Repairs.
But most places were not doing
major repairs if they could get
around it.
One long-esta blished firm had cars
requiring work costing from a few
dollars up to $1,000 waiting on a
vacant lot. The easiest jobs wele
being taken first, those which would
tie up the least number of workers.
The cars were left on the lot because
they wouldn't run or the owners
were afraid to risk them further in
traffic.
The head of this company had
been ordered by the police to shut of
the lights trained on these shelved
cars to help guard them against
night prowlers. He had appealed for
relaxation of the brownout regula-
tions in this instance, contending
that the lights were necessary. His
firm had adopted a general policy of
doing no Job costing above 500 until
the quick ones were pretty well out
of the way, which seemed to be
never.
I'VE haven't had a new mechanic
for two years." said an official of an
other large concern.
Preference to Physicians.
1t is the policy in a number of
shops to give preference to physicians
and others liable to emergency calls
and engaged in essential work.
Auto dealers point to the obvious
fact that the lack of new cars has
greatly increased the need for re-
pairs of all sorts.
Many cars-how many, it would
take a census of owners to de-
termine-are laid up for want of
repairs Most of these are believed
to be instances where the owners
have despaired of getting major
jobs done. Dealers doubt that many
are off the streets for lack of lit
tie adjustments.
The District inspection service in
ports most of the cars brought IN
for the required annual inspection
in pretty fair shape, despite the
repair stringency. Comparatively
few owners, it was said, have COM
planned they couldn't get necessary
adjustments made. Most adjust
ments can be done quickly. They