Evening star., 1946-08-28

There are differences in tn,
the present situation more diff
gram ran into serious component
and manpower problems, shortage
and maldistribution of materials had
been pretty we'll licked. Industry
today finds all of those headaches
in its lap at once.
In the war, the Government, after
months of futility, did satisfactory
job of seeing to it that materials
arrived at the right factory at the
right time Rigid controls did the
trick. Currently, the controls are
few and manufacturers still are en-
gagged in great game of grab. A
couple of the present controls, like
those channeling steel and wood
products to construction, are factors
in postponing the day when you
will get that refrigerator or automo-
bile, but they are necessary.
Add to all that the big Nation
wide strikes Of the first months Of
peace and the numerous little ones
still cropping up and an idea Of
current industrial problems may be
had.
Big Unsatisfied Market.
Despite the many perplexities, in
dustry. as pointed out earlier, is turn
ing out what normally would be con-
sidered large quantities of goods.
But, just as the consumer is frus-
trated because he cannot buy the
gadget he wants, the manufac-
turer is frustrated by the huge un-
satisfied market before him. There
is universal fear that the market
will disappear before he gets to it,
in soaring prices or what not.
The varied industries of Chicago,
while harrassed, too. by shortages
Of manpower, materials and compo-
nents, are approaching full produc-
ton and are getting along very well
indeed compared with Detroit's s
automobile manufacturers.
Chicago manufacture is quite di-
versified. In the field of durable
goods, it is a center OF great steel,
electric appliance and machinery
production.
Although still falling far short of
meeting demands the electrical in
dustry is producing we'll above pre-
war averages in table radios, wash
ing machines, vacuum cleaners,
irons, ranges and water heaters.
Production of electric refrigerators
is still somewhat under the old rate.
Farm Machinery Output.
Even the output OF farm and other
types of machinery is at about the
1941 rate despite a number Of
prolonged strikes.
Steel production in the Chicago
area Is away ahead of the peacetime
rate, with Inland Steel Corp. plants
operating at 95 per cent OF capacity,
as compared with national average
of about 90.
Chicago industrialists reported a
serious and growing labor shortage
which already is retarding opera
tions. The electrical appliance in
dustry has been unable to recruit
enough women workers.
Leverett s. Lyon, executive officer
of the Chicago Association OF Com
merce, described the problems of
industry as highly individual. He
said that some companies were held
back by strikes, others by materials
shortages-the little things"
Manpower Situation Tight.
"The manpower situation is tight
everywhere" Mr.. Lyon said. ION
the whole, however. manufacturers
here certainly are not pessimistic.
They all realize that the future Is
full of uncertainties - threat OF
strikes, imitation, the international
an overall Government
policy that is somewhat vascillating.
We are not wildly 'bullisb,' but the
picture Is far from black"
Mr.. Lyon said that while his
members were deluging the Office
with inquiries about new price reg
ulations, there was little evidence
that manufacture was being halted
because of low prices.
Frank A. Hitter, vice president OF
Stewart-Warner Corp, makers of
instruments, lubricating systems,
radios and other electrical devices,
said that the labor shortage, espe-
cially women, was his biggest prob
lem. The firm employs more than
$500, needs badly several hundred
additional workers.
He added that raw materials are
scarce and that component parts
purchased elsewhere are not too
well made. Labor, he commented, is
not producing to prewar standards.
1,50o Radios = Day.
Stewart-Warner is turning out
radios, mostly table models, at the
rate of about $500 day. Mr.. Hitter
said they should be making twice