PRODUCTION: Red Tape Trouble

U.S. production slowed down in the Aug. 15 week and TIME’S Index pancaked to 180.0 (estimated), one-half point below the preceding week’s final figure.

Steel output steadied at least 5% below peak operating capacity. The recent re-rating of high priority orders has done little to help distribution and many a small steelmaker beefs about precious time lost in filling out scads of WPB forms and questionnaires. Power output is still one of the bright spots in production with U.S. utilities pumping out record amounts of juice each week.