One Two for Lead

Punched twice by Washington last week, U.S. lead producers thought both punches were below the belt. First Leon Henderson told them that lead prices should not go above the present 5.85-c- a lb. Then OPM asked them to operate their mines "six days a week and where possible seven."

Ever since Henderson permitted zinc prices to rise 14% to 8.25-c- a lb. (TIME, Oct. 20), leadmen confidently awaited a comparable boost for them. They thought Leon would recognize that lead and zinc are usually mined together, usually move together pricewise. But he didn't.

OPM's request hurt even worse: Six-or seven-day operations mean sharply upped overtime costs. One possible solution: add men to the second shift; perhaps start a third shift.

From now on leadmen must work harder --and make less. So, sooner or later, must most U.S. businessmen.

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