First Since '42

WPB finally answered the pleas for help of the Office of Defense Transportation, jittery over the truck shortage. WPB authorized the manufacture, quarterly, of 10,000 light civilian trucks, which have not been made since February 1942. WPB further raised the hopes of civilians for more durable goods by placing mechanical refrigerators, which have been out of production since April 1942, on the spot authorization list. But it does not intend to release materials for them until early next year, at least. And most of them will go to the armed forces.

WPB Boss Krug warned the U.S. that this would not mean expansion of the spot plan. There is no hope for that until the military's sudden demands for increased materiel, such as heavy artillery and small-arms ammunition, are met. He has refused demands of the armed services to ban the manufacture of civilian goods in areas where manpower shortages are greatest. Instead, WPB issued a new ruling this week which permits civilian goods to be made only if "war production is on schedule, is kept on schedule and is able to meet the demands of increased schedules." The actual effect of this will be to do just what the services want--freeze out any more civilian goods manufacture in labor-tight areas.

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