As businessmen had expected, rubber last week became the first civilian item to feel the pinch of war. The Commerce Department, acting on a plan suggested by the rubber industry, ordered the use of rubber for civilian products cut to 90,000 tons a month for the rest of the yearabout 13% below July's consumption. Since natural rubber (at 51¢ a Ib.) is almost three times as expensive as synthetic, manufacturers are expected to cut down chiefly on natural, thus leave more for the national stockpile. Rubbermen said that consumers would hardly notice the cut.
In congressional hearings released last week,...
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