Word: wpb
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Further reconversion of U.S. industry was stopped dead in its tracks last week. WPB banned any increase in civilian-goods production in the first quarter of 1945. The manufacture of such items as vacuum cleaners, electric irons, etc., scheduled to increase under the "spot authorization" reconversion plan, has been frozen at present levels. This means that permits already granted in critical areas for more civilian goods in the next three months will now be rescinded. Furthermore, manufacturers whose products can be used by both the armed services and civilians will have trouble in getting permission to make goods...
...these drastic steps, WPB hopes to stop workers from shifting from war to civilian industries, find the 300,000 needed to meet the new demands for war materiel...
...Army explained that tires in service abroad are wearing out faster than expected. As heavy-tire production is already behind schedule (TIME, Aug. 21). WPB must dip into the civilian supply (many military and civilian tires are the same size). Ominously, WPB made it clear that the shortage is not temporary. To end it, WPB plans to rush construction of some $25,000,000 to $100,000,000 in new tire plants. But they will not be turning out tires for at least nine months...
...quick glance at the Army's new demands for warm clothing and blankets, along with tires (see below), convinced the War Production Board of the need for drastic action. Last week WPB ordered textile mills to set aside for the Army and essential civilian use all worsted yarns (for gabardines, twills, etc.) produced after Jan 14. Soon, WPB is expected to order 50 to 60% of all woolens set aside for the military...
...have had to increase our estimate of the production ... to fight Japan after Germany is defeated. . . . It will cost us $71 billion a year." This was the first official word to U.S. business that the cutbacks in war production after V-E day have shrunk from the 40% which WPB once promised to a slim 15-20%. (Actually General Somervell had overstated the case by lumping in all the costs of ending the German war, contract terminations...