Evening star., 1951-12-27
Shortages Of Metals
Expected 10 Extend
Well Into 1853
By Eroncis P. DouoIos

economic mobllization officials
have about reached the conclusion
that resumption of civilian pro-
duction equal to or above pre-
Korean levels at the end of 1852,
the original target date, is unat-
tainable.
Critical shortages of steel, cop
per and aluminium are now ex-
pected to extend well into 1858.
Last spring it was believed these
shortages would be relieved sub
stantially in the coming year. But
while the output of steel and alu-
minum is gaining, so is the mill
tary need.
Government officials are pre-
pairing an appraisal of the situa-
tion prepared in the Defense Pro-
duction Administration, which
projects current shortages through
the first six months of 1858.
Only One Source of Relief.
Supplies of the three basic
metals above the amounts needed
for defense production are esti-
mated against military budgets of
various sizes. Only drastic trim
ming of the budgets-which is not
looked for-is regarded as a source
of relief in months ahead from
the severe curtailment of metals
to producers for civilian use.
, Meanwhile. increased demand
for the metals for military pro-
duction is expected to bring steep
er cuts for civilian production in
the months beginning with April.
Allotments for the January March
period already have been made.
1t is regarded as likely that
large users will be particularly
hard hit. Little aggregate ton
mage of aluminium, for instance,
can be saved by cutting back an
additional or 10 per cent in the
use of the metal by small users,
who already are cut to 20 per
cent of their pre-Korean con-
sumption.
CutbackS Bring Job Losses.
On the list of big users of all |
three metals-steel, copper and |
aluminum-is the automobile in
duStry. The construction indus 4
try is a heavy consumer of steel
and copper. Cutbacks already |
have resulted in unemployment /
in both industries. Both prob
ably will face further cuts if the
military program is stepped up.
Telford Taylor, small defense
plants administrator, has been
seeking to cushion the blow to
small companies, many of which
already have been forced under
the break-even point by cutbacks
IN their basic materials.
The Office of Small Business in
the National Production Authority
has prepared a list of 3,l28 small
concerns whose use of copper or
aluminium in the coming three
months has been curtailed to IS
per cent or less of their pre-
Korean consumption. OF the
total number, 1852 companies
have been cut to 20 per cent or
less.
Area Firms Effected.
In the latter group are IL
Washington companies, % in
Maryland and Is in Virginia.
About half of the 3,128 COM
panies make Venetian blinds,
sheet metal products for buildings,
metal storm sash and screen
storm sash and doors, automobile
trailers, electric lamps or metal
household furniture.
Another step in speeding mil
itary production program is ex-
pected today with the announce
ment by Manly Fleischman. de-
fense production administrator,
of the appointment of William L.
Campbell as deputy DPA admin
iStrator.
Mr.. Campbell, vice president of
the Food Machinery & Chemical
Co. OF San Jose. Calf, Is expected
also to become special adviser to
Defense Mobilizer Charles E.
Wilson. He will take the place in
DPA formerly held by Clay P.
Bedford, now filling a top post in
the Defense Department as an
expediter.