Evening star., 1946-10-08
House Goods 10 Stay
Scarce Well Into Al,
Manufacturers Say
BY the Assoeiatsd Press

By NV SssS~t3svS FtNsS
NEW YORK, Oct. g. Industry
sources say it will be well into next
year before production of basic
household goods gets into full swing.
Shortages of raw materials, COM
ponent parts and skilled labor have
hindered output all along the line
and many industries do not expect
to reach full production for months
to come.
There are some exceptions. Gas
ranges, for instance, are coming
along In good shape. An American
Gas Association spokesman said
that although steel was tight, ranges
should be in full production by, the
last quarter of this year, barring
further strikes.
The scarcity should be of short
duration" he said, adding that the
general outlook for gas appliances is
conservatively optimistic"
Demand Keeps Shelves Clean.
A maker of electric clocks said
output was "a lot higher" than in
1941, but the demand is SO great
stores cannot build up any stock.
And factory sales of vacuum
cleaners were at a record high in
August, said c. G. Frantz, secretary
treasurer of the Vacuum Cleaner
Manufacturers Association.
At the other extreme is paint,
where the shortage has become
progressively more acute because of
the scarcity of linseed oil, lead and
pigments.
Present indications are that the
paint situation will get even worse
before it begins to improve" an in
dustry spokesman said. I'VE don't
look for any improvement at least
until spring"
Furniture Still Lags.
Only exception is water-mix paint,
of which supplies are said to be ade-
quate.
Shortages also continue to hound
furniture makers. Walter M. Engel,
president of the New York Furniture
Exchange, said the furniture short
age is worse than ever and 1t looks
as though it will be next summer
before we will see daylight"
That industry lacks seasoned lum-
her and finds plywood for veneer,
hardware. nails and even glue al
most impossible to get.
This is how manufacturers and
retailers summarized the supply
situation in household goods:
Furniture-Dining room and bed
room suites and upholstered pieces
will be hard to get until the middle
of next year; children's pieces in
better supply; plenty of lamps and
novelties, and adequate supply Of
plastic and chrome dinette sets.
Electric Irons Plentiful.
Electric Observation-Disclosures
slowest and washers next, with both
short most of next year; ranges in
slightly better supply; electric irons
plentiful; toasters and heating ap-
pliances In fairly good shape, but
mixers, juicers and other types need
ing fractional horsepower motors,
tagging.
Gas appliances-Ranges in better
supply soon; refrigerators improved
in spring; water heaters, output
good.
Kitchen cabinets-held up by steel
shortage, but should be pretty well
caught up by June or July, 1947.
Carpets-Output is approaching
two-thirds of 1941 rate, but no in
ventories built up yet. Increasing
selection of designs with improve
ment in output.
Curtains and draperies-Curtains
easier to get, quality improving,
patterns being increased gradually
and prices generally higher. Drapery
supply is considerably improved,
prices Is to 20 per cent over prewar,
designs limited.
Skeeting Remains Scarce.
Sheets and towels-Sheets and
pillowcases very short and will con-
tinue so at least until the end of
this year. Those available are con-
centrated mostly in higher price
brackets. Turkish towels in same
position, but cotton huck, guest
towels and novelties in better supply.
Tablecloths Print cottons of mod
crate to higher priced types
easier, rayons and cotton damask
tight, American lace cloths scarce,
and Irish linens about half Of what
was anticipated. No good assort-
ments until at least the middle Of
1947.
Housewares-Generally improving
with larger and more frequent allot-
ments to stores; better supplies of
can openers, egg beaters. strainers
and other small kitchen wares; per-
colators, egg poachers and similar
items coming throubgh more slowly;
pressure cookers in adequate supply;
pots and pans better with more
branded types appearing.
un.,ina fn~in{v (~hadulae