The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-08-06
CLOTHES SUPPLY
TO GET BETTER

Supplies of civilian clothing are
increasing generally although re-
tail stocks will not improve no.
ticeably before spring, a survey
by the Associated Press showed
today. ..-
Its downward plunge halted, gar
ment production is showing a grad
ual upturn, government and trade
experts indicated.
However, unless shoppers re-
frain from heavy buying as sought
after garments reappear, pent-up
demand will prevent retail stores
from accommodating wide selections
for some time.
Output of wool, rayon, and heavy
cotton fabrics is definitely on the
upswing, experts say, and should
approach normal pre-war amounts
for civilians by the end of the
year.
Marring the brighter outlook are
continued shortages of better cot
ton Weaves for shirts, shorts and
housedresses, and sheets, sheeting
and toweling.
Furthermore, the worst shortage
yet is developing in heavy under
wear, experts report.
There's plenty of raw wool and
cotton, but record military require
:. ments, slim mill profits in some
lines and lack of men and ma
chinery for processing block in
creasing civilian manufacture Of
these items now.
Army releases of heavy cotton
weaves should begin to appear in
larger quantities of work clothing
in September, experts said.
But this will not bring back one
more yard of finer cotton weave
goods, they emphasized.
Approximately 80 per cent of
wool fabric production now is being
turned into civilian garments, re-
ports show. However, the Army
has trip1ed its orders for certain
types of wool and worsteds which
will delay added output of suiting.
Beginning in September, wool
topcoats, overcoats and dresses;
rayon dresses, blouses. night
gowns, pajamas and slips and
heavy cotton work clothing should
become more available.
Worsted suits and dresses will
pick up a little more slowly, reach
ing retail stores about the end of
the year, experts said.
Here is the general clothing sup
ply forecast as outlined by the ex-
perts according to fabrics:
| Wollens - more topcoats, over
coats and dresses will start reach
ing retail stores for the fall buying
season. By October, production is
expected to rise beyond 100 per
cent by pre-war levels By the first
of the year retail stocks should
approximate the now higher de-
mand.
Worsteds - BY October prod,lc.
ton should rise to four-fifths Of
pre-war level, but retail shortages
won't be eased until spring.
Knit goods (heavy underwear)-
Already acute shortage will be-
come the worst ever.
Rayon - Increased amounts for
civilians use should begin to show
at retail during September. Specia.
| WPB programs will guide rayon
released by the military into max
ing Of dresses, nightgowns, paja-
mas, blouses, slips.
Cottons - Channeling into essen
tial civilian garment output may
begin to show in the shops this
fall. Supply is only half of pre-.
war level, demand is huge. Short.
ages will continue at least another
year, longer if the war with Japan
lasts beyond that.
More heavy cotton work cloth
ing should reach stores in Septem
Der, rejecting current military
cutbacls in requirements for tent
ing, herringbone twill and duck
substitutes.
The Army can be expected te
release large quantities of duck
adding to the supply of goods fcl
shoe Innings and baby carriage
Innings, for instance.
Until mid-1946 no noticeable in
crease in the supply of shirts
!. shorts and other finer cotton weave
garments can be expected.