The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1950-11-30
Supply Situation
Still Confusing

there just isn't enough to go
around.
NSRB Chairman Stuart Syming-
ton has announced a plan for ex-
panding production of aluminium in
this country by more than II per-
cent. He didn't say whether that
would be enough to modify the gov
eminent order cutting back civilian
use of aluminium by 35 percent.
Labor and industry groups have
protested the cut which is leading
to layoffs and shortages in the
auto, electrical appliance, and
other industries.
Two aluminium companies, Kaiser
Aluminium and Reynolds Metal, are
building new aluminium reduction
plants. They are expected to cost
close to S500,000,000. The produc-
ers are being allowed to write off
these costs at the rate of 20 percent
a year, which will bring them huge
tax deductions.
Aluminium Company of America
has agreed to reopen two idle
plants at Massena, NY, and Badin,
NC. General Services Administra-
tor Jess Larson said that the plants
will produce $4,000 tons of metal
next year and $4,000 tons a year
after that. The government has set
goal Of 1.5 billion pounds of ad-
ditional aluminium for it's stockpile
during the next five years.
Larson and other government of
ficials were objects of blistering
attack from Sen. Lyndon Johnson's
Senate Preparedness Subcommittee
Nov. q. Other agencies singled
out for strong criticism were the
Munitions Board, the Commerce
Department, and the Air Force.
Overall, the agencies respon-
sible for the surplus property pro-
gram, primarily the Munitions
Board and GSA," it said, shave
been slow to awaken to the real
tiles of the challenge presented by
Communist aggression. The results,
in some instances, have been cost
ly to the preparedness program"
GSA, the subcommittee said, dis
posed of alcohol plants at Kansas
City and Omaha, after "freeze"
order had been issued on disposing
Of surplus plants. 1t charged that
the alcohol plants, sold for private
use, are essential for production of
synthetic rubber.
The government is producing
synthetic rubber now at the rate
Of 100000 tons a year, double it's
rate of January, 1850. By spring,
it hopes to reach a rate of 100000
tons. Chemical firms are being ask
ed to supply synthetic rubber pro-
ducers with the necessary mater
ials. If they don't come through,
NPA may issue DO priority order
for them. Maine potato growers
have offered surplus potatoes as
source of the needed alcohol.)
NPA is also expected to issue a
order on civilian use of
copper, even more drastic than the
35 percent cut in aluminium. Sim
liar restrictions are in the works
for alloy steel, zinc and nickel.
An order announced by the
agency Nov. 21 cuts November de-
iveries of cobalt for nondefense
needs 20 percent. The metal, used
n making television and radio
oudspeakers, may be more plenti-
ful in December when the order
will be revised.
A Commerce Department report
Nov. 20 showed that American pro-
luction reached an all-time record
n July, August and September.
Most of this production was civil
an, it said, the impact Of military
spending not yet being felt.
Steel shortages are being felt
Increasingly throughout industry.
Small ship repair plants, some of
hem working on Great Lakes ore
,oats, have complained that they
ant get the materials needed for
'epairs.
Manufacturers throughout the
midwest say they are facing plant
hutdowns for lack of steel. Freight
ar builders will not be able to
'uild the cars they had promised,
'ecause of the shortage. The De-
ense Transportation Administra-
ion, has announced, however, that
here is no need yet for restrictions
n civilian travel.
Machine tool builders are beg
ing for priority ratings and say
hey could have doubled output in
october had they had the mater
ais. Not only is equipment for
ther production being held up,
hey point out, but the tool indus
ry itself is losing skilled man
over.
Steel is not only causing short
ges, it is also suffering from
1em. Two companies, Republic and
.rmco, have started the first com
lercial use of taconite, the low
rade iron ore in Minnesota. The
1ortage of high-grade ore is acute.
Hand Steel Co. has cut back pro-
lction of galvanized sheets be-
iuse of the zinc shortage.