The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-11
Reconversion ForCity
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to determine the extent of displace- ments in the event contracts are cancelled, it was disclosed. The in- formation will be used in turning efforts to any unemployment which may result in quantity after V-J Day.
 It was learned in a survey today that civilian goods manufacturing in the city's plants has been very slight, and reconversion, particu- larly. in brass plants, cannot come until contract nominations are made by the government.
 Some Civilian Work Now
 At the Scovill Mfg. Co.,, civilian goods production was described as "Very Spotty," while an American Brass Go. spokesman said, "a very small amount" of civilian goods were produced. The Chase Brass & Cop per Go. was reported to have turned many women, released from war production jobs, to new departments for civilian goods production. At that concern cosmetics division, where lipstick cases and compacts are made, Is gradually growing in size.
 With men unwilling to take jobs in brass mills, a longer period of re-adjustment may result, the WING official pointed out. Not only is the material, produced in the mills needed by the brass industry for production of civilian goods. but numerous other firms of the area need the mills produce for their fabricating departments, she pointed out.
 In peace-time more than three and half times as many men will be needed for the mills as at the present time, Mrs. Dewey stated, in referring to the urgent need of securing more help for mills. The sooner released workers accept jobs in mills the sooner will the recon version of local industry be accom- plished, she indicated.
 R. E. Bassett, vice-president of manufacturing for the American Brass Co., said today that the em- ployment situation after V-J Day would depend upon orders received from customers for manufacturing of civilian goods. Pointing out that the concern 'has nothing to sell" and Its production depends on out side orders. the spokesmen said it was difficult to anticipate whta the situation would be.
 When full production is again placed in force at the American Brass O., after the period of read ustment, approximately the same number of workers will be employed, MT. Basset stated. During the period of reconyersion. close to the same number of. men may be employed, but gradual tapering of hours may result, the official said.
 Contract terminations at the con- cern are expected to be gradual in conformance with the tapering off schedule which started early this year when cutbacks on small arms were started. MT. Bassett stated.
 Fred Lux. yice-president of the Lux Clock Mfg. O.. said his firm al- ready had a number of employees working on civilian goods. and the concern Is ready to turn all it's pro- duction to civilian channels almost immediately upon termination of contracts. He said only |. very small number of lay-offs was anticipated. although contract cancellations were expected within days'' after the v-J Day announcement.
 Alan Curtiss, public relations di- rector for the Scovill Mfg. O., said the employment situation after Vel Day could not be determined until the government indicated the nae trre of contract termination. Re. moval Of government controls will be an important factor in deter mining the speed with which re- conversion can he accomplished, he indicated.