National Defense Committees

The first of what may soon be a number of "National Defense Committees" was set up in May by the steel industry. In cooperation with the Office of Production Management (OPM) and the Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply (OPACS), the "Iron and Steel Industry Defense Committee" was established. SubCommittees are being formed in such fields as tinplate, tool steel, pig iron, structural steel, and stainless steel. In this way steel companies are arranging to facilitate coordination with the National Defense authorities. The Defense Committee consists of members of the American Iron and Steel Institute, as well as of nonmembers. The AISI was formed in 1855, under a somewhat different name, and to it belong over 1,800 steel mills, rolling mills, and blast furnace companies. The Institute was the chief sponsor of the NRA "Iron and Steel Industry" code. (350 Fifth Ave., New York, N. Y.; Walter S. Tower, President.)

Models

One of the newly formed "vertical" membership associations is the Model Industry Association, which is composed of manufacturers of miniature engines, airplanes, automobiles, etc., as well as jobbers, retailers, manufacturers' agents, and publishers of trade journals.

Each functional group has its own special problems the MIA, therefore, announces that at its next annual meeting, there will be "Closed meetings for manufacturers, jobbers and retailers respectively, so that these groups may discuss problems peculiar to them without others being present.

"Following the discussions each group may adopt resolutions for presentation to the Association or to its Board of Directors, so that definite ACTION may be taken." (307 N. Mich

igan Ave., Chicago, Ill.; Franklin Butler, Secretary.)

Highways

The National Highway Users Conference, formed in 1932, now has a staff of more than 25 persons carrying out its objective of acting as a central clearing house on highway problems.

This organization is largely supported by associations and firms in the automobile, motor truck, farm, cement, petroleum, and other industries.

A considerable part of its staff is engaged in field work to "Promote the inherent advantages of highway transportation, irrespective of competitive methods, and to aid the cause of greater highway efficiency and safety."

It is especially active in the collection and dissemination of information concerning present and proposed legislation. Among the subjects being taken up are interstate trade barriers, diversion of highway funds, and conflicting highway transportation regulations.

State conferences which are self-governing, autonomous groups have been organized in each state. Among its research projects are those on state speed regulations, highway tax costs, itinerant merchants, and the relation of highway transportation to the farmer. Some of its present studies relate to traffic problems of army camps. The NEUC states that on one road leading to a typical army pcst in the Middle West, daily traffic has recently increased from 200 vehicles a day to 12,000. (938 National Press Bldg., Washngton, D. C.; Chester H. Gray, Director.)

Fire Insurarce

Several organizations claim to be America's first national trade association. The National Board of Fire Underwriters has just commemorated its 75th birthday by setting up

a plaque on which it is stated that in 1866 "Leading fire insurance companies formed the first nation-wide business association devoted to public welfare."

The NBFU, which has a staff of over 300 persons, is carrying on a national campaign of fire prevention under the slogan, "Americans can demonstrate their patriotism by aiding in fire prevention, thereby creating a stronger National Defense." (85 John St., New York, N. Y.; W. E. Mallalieu, General Manager.)

Clothing

One of the larger collective bargaining agreements of 1941 has just been concluded between the Clothing Manufacturers Association of the United States and labor unions in its field. It is announced that the agreement will affect 135,000 clothing workers, bringing an increase in wages of $18,000,000, in such manufacturing centers as New York, Rochester, Baltimore, Cleveland, and other important points.

The CiMA was formed in 1933 and has approximately 300 members. It is active in such fields as statistics, government and labor relations, and trade practices.

Membership is made up of manufacturers of men's and boys' clothing, and uniforms. (200 Fifth Ave., New York, N. Y.; Frank P. Zurn, Executive Secretary.)

Radio

Priorities problems will be one of the outstanding subjects at the 17th annual convention of the Radio Manufacturers Association in June, and representatives will be present at the "National Radio Parts Trade Show" from such other organizations in this industry as the Radio Service Men of America, and the National Association of Radio Parts Distributors.

The RMA announces that its statistical services are being increased, and that all of its statistical reports are made available to government agencies. The expanded program will provide for weekly figures on radio set production, factory shipments, etc., and will cover details on phonographs, combination sets,

portables, and home battery sets.

The RMA is a member of a joint committee with the National Electrical Manufacturers of America and the Edison Electric Institute, to facilitate the handling of electrical industry problems. (1317 F St., Washington, D. C.; Bond Geddes, Executive Vice President.)

Beauty Shops

One of the nation's larger federated associations, as to number of locals, is the National Hairdressers and Cosmetologists Association, formed in 1921. It claims a membership of approximately 10,000 through 250 local associations. Its members are primarily beauty shop owners (most of whom do a considerable retail business in cosmetics), but provision is also made for the affiliation of managers and operators, as well as the manufacturers of the various types of equipment used by the trade. Among its accomplishments, according to the NHCA, are that it has "contributed to the advancement of the industry by bringing together the representatives of the various state boards regulating cosmetology." (3510 Olive St., St. Louis, Mo.; S. A. Sperber, Secretary.)

Gum

One of the most active organizations in technical research among associations in the importing field is the American Gum Importers Association. It has a laboratory staff of four chemists who have for several years carried on research to keep up highest standards of gums and resins used in paint and other fields.

It issues an annual report on its research activities, "Natural Resin Handbook." Formed in 1927, it includes among its objectives that of "Maintaining just and equitable principles among its members; distributing valuable business information; adjusting controversies and misunderstandings; and establishing uniformity of commercial relations with foreign shippers."

Many of its raw products are obtained from the Dutch East Indies. (360 Furman St.. Brooklyn, N. Y.; John M. Young, Secretary.)

On the completion of the first year of the national defense program on May 28 Mr. Knudsen said:

"With the first year of the Defense program coming to a close, the results obtained can be credited to the cooperation of the parties involved--the Service (the Army and the Navy), Congress, industry, and labor.

"New industrial facilities--1,625 projects--have been started, the amount involved being $2,840,000,000-Government, private, and British financed.

"Contracts in the amount of 15.2 billion dollars have been placed with industry and in Government arsenals. Every effort has been made to spread the load over the United States, and practically every state in the Union has shared in facilities, contracts, or subcontracts.

"Airplane and engine factories have been planned for the quantity our President outlined in the original directive. The Navy program has been placed in Navy and private yards. Mercantile shipbuilding has been expanded to handle both standard and special ocean-going vessels. Tanks, guns and ordnance, powder and explosives have all been provided with facilities to insure manufacturing in quantities.

"We have made a start, and production should increase with every month from now on. We are not by any means satisfied with the progress made to date. We need the help of every manufacturer, engineer, and production worker to get this industrial machine speeded up to its highest efficiency. We ask the support of this defense program from every citizen of the United States."

Gasoline Prices

Representatives of leading oil companies

operating in the New England and Mid-Atlantic areas have held a general discussion on recent price trends for gasoline, industrial fuel oil and lubricants, with officials of the Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply today.

OPACS officials have been concerned over recent price increases for such products along the eastern seaboard.

It was the consensus of the meeting, with some reservations, that no further substantial increases in gasoline prices are called for unless basic cost conditions change. All refiners and marketers present agreed to the request made by OPACS officials not to institute further increases of a substantial character on gasoline prices without prior consultation with Leon Henderson, Administrator of OPACS.

Coffee Contracts

Representatives of the New York Coffee and Sugar Exchange have agreed at a meeting with officials of the Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply to increase margin requirements on coffee contracts for outside speculative interests to $625 per contract from the present level of $250.

This action is subject to confirmation by Exchange officials.

Funds for Navy

Net funds made available for the Navy under Public Law 48, 77th Congress, First Session, approved on May 6, total $1,809,800,000. Appropriations under under the bill amount to $3,447,100,000 from which should be deducted $1,637,300,000 appropriated to liquidate prior year contract authorizations.

Ceiling for Combed Cotton Yarn

A schedule fixing ceiling prices for various grades of combed cotton yarn has been issued today by the Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply.

Combed cotton yarn is used primarily in the manufacture of textiles, underwear, hosiery and other apparel requiring a high grade of yarn. The ceilings established for this product are expected to be reflected in the prices not only for other cotton textiles, but also for finished products.

Ceilings fixed in the schedule are about 20 percent below those being quoted recently in the industry. The ceiling price for 30s single ply, the largest volume grade, is 42 cents, which includes an allowance for recent increases in raw material costs. This compares with recent quotations of 52 cents.

Ceiling prices for other grades are keyed to the price for 30s single ply, and bear the same relation as normally exists in the trade for the various grades.

The price ceilings apply to all deliveries under old contracts after Monday, May 26, the effective date of the schedule, as well as to new contracts. There are no geographical differentials. However, sales of special qualities of yarn may be made at premiums sufficient to cover higher raw material and manufacturing costs.

Ammonium Sulfate

Producers and distributors of ammonium sulfate for fertilizer purposes have been requested by letters to continue formal price quotations now current for this commodity.

Ammonium sulfate is chiefly a byproduct of the coke industry, the principal producer. It is one of the most important sources of fertilizer nitrogen. It is the custom in the trade to establish the price for the next

fertilizer season at this time of the year.

Quotations now current are as follows: on contract, $28 a ton at inland ovens; $29 a ton at port; and spot prices $1 per ton higher.

New Dwellings

President Roosevelt has approved construction with public funds of 9,893 dwelling units for the families of civilian industrial workers and the enlisted personnel of the Army and the Navy in 32 localities of the United States.

In accordance with the provisions of the Lanham Act, which has provided $300,000,000 for defense housing needs, the President found that an acute shortage of housing exists in 28 localities, necessitating the expenditure of public funds for the construction of 9,701 units. Construction with funds provided under the $100,000,000 amendment to the Army and Navy Appropriation Act was approved for the remaining 192 units in 5 localities.

Stockpiles of Raw Materials

Stockpiles of many raw materials vital to national defense were acquired during the past year, although the present inadequacy of shipping facilities probably will prevent the accumulation of reserves in the amounts originally planned.

The stockpiles were built up through extra imports and increased domestic production.

The United States normally uses about 60 percent of all the rubber produced in the world, 40 percent of the tin, 45 percent of the chromium, 56 percent of the silk, 40 percent of the nickel, 40 percent of vanadium, 36 percent of manganese, and 33 percent of antimony. It imports substantial quantities of 15 industrial minerals and a number of other raw materials.

EGGS AND EGG PRODUCTS. Department of Agriculture. (1941. 91 pp. Circular No. 583. Price 15 cents.) The growing consciousness of egg quality on the part of the consumer and the degree of dependence of prices on the excellence of the goods have focused attention on many problems in producing, storing, handling, and marketing of eggs and ego products. Some of these problems are discussed in this circular.

Available from: Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C.

-

MIGRATION AND SETTLEMENT ON THE PACIFIC COAST CUT-OVER LAND OF NORTHERN IDAHO. Bureau of Agricultural Economics in cooperation with Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station. (1941. 34 pp. Mimeo.) Available from:

Washington, D. C.

NOTE:

PRIVATE

Department of Agriculture,

PUBLICATIONS

The Department has no copies of private publications for distribution and cannot be responsible for their content. For private publications write direct to the publishing agency given in each case.

RESEARCH IN INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS BY FEDERAL AGENCIES. Sanford Schwarz. (1941. 357 pp. Price $1.75.) The extent to which the government of the United States has engaged in the study of economic questions has hitherto hardly been appreciated or recognized, and no description of the important economic research activities of the national government exists. Adequate guides to the statistical data compiled by government agencies have appeared, but the present work breaks new ground in describing the work of economic analysis done by government. While concerned primarily with official research in the field of international economics, the book describes also the investigations of domestic economic problems which influence or are influenced by events outside our borders.