Evening star., 1951-09-12
Critical Curbs in Steel Feared
Due to Scrap Metal Shortage
Wilson to Demund
Production Boost
By Hook or Crook
BY the A..eeiassd Press


The steel shortage was pic
tured in crisis terms yesterday by
Mobilizer Charles E. Wilson. He
demanded a million tons more in
|first-quarter 1862 than the in
dustry thinks it can supply.
In addition, Mr.. Wilson said,
the Government will call steel
producers together next week in
Washington and ask them to pro-
vide. by hook or crook, an extra
2 million tons in the second quar-
ter OF next year.
Mr.. Wilson reported he received
la great shock" when shown by
the Defense Production Admin
lstration last week the prospective
deficit in steel for rising military
and essential civilian goods.
The Office Of Defense Mobiliza-
ton chief gave no further figures,
but it was learned that earlier
official forecasts on steel output
have been trimmed to what Of
f1cials describe as more realistic
levels.
Addressing a mass meeting of
steel scrap experts from industry
and Government, assembled to
plan a Nationwide scrap collec-
tion effort. Mr.. Wilson made it
plain he wants no slippage in the
steel expansion program.
1--WE cannot accept anything
less than substantial increase
in the first quarter of next year
and another in the second quar-
ter" he declared.
I'VE are going to call them
(the steel producers) together
next week and tell them that, SO
there will be no question about it.
You've got to help them. You know
how to do it. Get the scrap
We've got to have it"
The aluminium shortage also
made news. The National Pro-
duction Authority put a ceiling
on the number of new cars which
may be equipped with automatic
transmissions. Only IS per cent
Of automobiles priced at $1,000
delivered at factory, may have
the automatic gear shift.
GM to Feel Slash.
Sixty-five per cent of cars cost
ing between 81 300 and $2,5 500 may
be so equipped and 100 per CEN
Of those priced above $2,500.
Industry sources indicated thi.
means General Motors will have
to reduce the number of Chevro.
lets now carrying the self shifting
device. But more Fords may bt
so equipped, because fewer thar
l35 per cent are currently made
with the automatic shift. Plym.
ouths do not carry an automatic
lgear shift.
The new order, which NPA sale
was supported unanimously BY
members Of the industry, is ef.
fective October / and is intended
to save aluminium and alloy steel
The agency also banned the use
of primary or new aluminium in
automobile engine pistons. Sec
ondary aluminum-that is, re-
melted from scrap-or cast iron
may be used.
Still Far Short.
Mr.. Wilson told the scrap cam
Ipaign meeting that even If the
entire 36 million tons Of iron and
steel scrap needed to maintain
production this winter were pro-
vided, steel output would be "far
far short" Of rising military and
vital civilian requirements by
early 1852.
He did not indicate whether his
alarm was caused by a prospec.
tive lag in steel production or be.
cause demand is mounting so
rapidly the schedule is outmoded
The only way to meet the threat
of Soviet aggression, Mr.. Wilson
said, is to build a mighty posi-
tion Of preparedness, with weapon
that even they will fear"
If any of you have any doubts
that we cannot deal with the Rus
slams from any other position
than one of might, those doubts
must have been dissipated by what
happened at San Francisco" h
said
There was nothing conciliatorS
in Gromyko's words or actions.