WAR ECONOMY: Facts & Figures, Jun. 25, 1945

Across the Border? Since WPB has denied auto manufacturers the right to use nickel in their new civilian cars, the motor industry is up against the problem of getting chrome trim (nickel is required as a base for chrome plating). Because the U.S. likes shiny metal, some considered trying chrome paint or stainless steel.

Ford Motor Co. suddenly announced that it thought it would be able to turn out chrome-trimmed cars. Ford officials did not elaborate, but best guess was that Ford would have chrome parts made in its restriction-free Windsor, Ont. plant, shipped to Detroit after paying duty.

Report. WPB announced proudly that U.S. steelmaking capacity has reached a yearly level of over 95 million tons (almost equal to the world’s steel production in 1935). Other steel facts: 1) the $2 billion cost of the expansion (15 million tons since 1941) was borne about equally by business and government; 2) western steel capacity is now 4,900,000 tons—about 5% of the U.S. total; 3) plate steel capacity, a probable headache after the war, is up six to 13 million tons annually.

Back to the Hills. In 1942, WPB banned U.S. gold mining because the U.S. did not need gold, and badly needed trained miners to produce copper and other vitally necessary metals. That situation has not changed materially, but the political situation has. Under strong and well-placed pressure, WPB last week set July 1 as the date gold-mine operators may resume the profitable business of digging gold out of the Rockies—to be reburied at Fort Knox.