Recommends Substitutes for lmportant Metals in USHA Proiects

Washington, D. C., June 22:the U. S. Housing Authority moved today to conserve defense materials by issuing instructions for the use of substitutes in important metals and other substances, such as rubber and cork, Nathan Strauss, U. S. Administrator announced today. Mr. Strauss recommended substitutes for steel, copper and bronze which will save from half-ton to a ton of metals for each USHA home built.

Aluminum is barred entirely. "It should not be necessary to specify aluminum for any purpose," the Administrator said. "The saving will not be only the actual tonnage of the metal but since a large amount of fabrication goes into the manufacture of these products, men and machines badly needed in national defense will be released for essential production," he declared.

Wood will be the major material used in place of metal in USHA projects. Concrete will also replace steel in some instances.

Some of the projects will do without metal gutters and down spouts since such items can be placed after the emergency is over and metals become readily available again, Mr. Strauss said.

He requested architects to scrutinize every metal article carefully. "Clothes posts, chains and street signs may seem quite small in themselves, but the total can bulk large," he stated.

Considerable galvanized iron has been used in many USHA projects for outdoor purposes. Replacing this with wood, where possible, will save not only iron or steel but zinc which is in even greater demand in defense work. In line with the request to eliminate bronze wherever possible, cut stone or even wood will replace bronze for the commemorative plaques which mark every public housing project.

Metal in electrical plumbing and heating equipment is 'not so easily eliminated, but USHA is consulting with manufacturers and government officials concerned in an endeavor to find satisfactory substitutes for essential metals.

The USHA's recommendations to its own technical staff, to architects and'to all local authorities follow:

Aluminum: Should be eliminated entirely. It should not be necessary to specify aluminum for any purpose.

Bronze, Brass, Nickel and Tin: Should be eliminated rvherever possible but on some standard manufactured products, such as hardrvare, elimination or reduction in amount will depend in part upon the manufacturer.

Copper: Should be conserved. Avoid use as sheet metal where feasible, but specification for manufactured products using copper need not be changed except as requested by manufacturer.

Zinc: Should be eliminated wherever possible. Wherever iron or steel can be painted do not require galvanizing.

Steel and Iron: Endeavor to conserve weight and fabrication. IJse in preference to other metals listed, but use wood or other substitutes where reasonably practical to do so.

Non-Metallic Items: Specifications should not call for cork and mica and rubber tile should not be used.

Reinforced Concrete: Design carefully and reduce the quantity of steel to the minimum required.

Roofing and Sheet Metal: Use of steel in place of copper and painted sheets in lieu of zinc coated. Composition flashing may be used in lieu of metal. Gutters and downspouts may be omitted and installed at a later date or wood gutters may be used. Built-up roofing may be used for hoods and porches instead of metal. The gravel stop or edging may be of metal since the quantity required is small.

Windows: Should be of rvood rvith rvood trim. stiles. aprons, casings and stops. If screens are to be furnished they should be wood trimmed. Copper rvire screen cloth may be used, because the weight involved is small and black wire is difficult to obtain.

Interior Finish: Items which in certain projects have been supplied in metal, such as door bucks, baseboard, trim and doors, should be specified to be of wood. Do not specify rubber for base or for other uses as trim or finish.

Stairs: IJse wood stairs in buildings not over two stories high. Concrete rather than steel stairs may be practical in higher buildings.

Structural Steel: Reduce the quantity required by careful design, or by the use of reinforced concrete or timber members in place of steel.

Miscellaneous and Ornamental Iron: As far as possible these items should be reduced to a minimum. Balustrades, newels, porch columns and railings should be of wood. Cast iron should be used where conditions indicate the need for metal for thresholds, treads, foundation wall vents, etc., in place of wrought iron, aluminum, copper or bronze.

Plastering: IJse wood furring, wood grounds, and screeds, and gypsum lath as much as possible in lieu of corresponding items of metal. Reduce the amount of metal used to a minimum consistent to the type of construction used.

Carpentry: Kitchen cabinets should be of wood.

Bronze Plaques: In place of the bronze plaque use cut stone or wood.

Clothes Line Posts: Use wood.

Chain Link Fence: Fencing should be eliminated except where absolutely needed. Wood fence can be used in most cases where fencing is necessary.

Flag Poles: Can be eliminated entirely.

Reinforced Concrete Retaining Walls, Meter Pits, Culverts and Sewers: Stone masonry may in some cases be used in lieu of concrete for retaining walls. But use of a certain amount of reinforcing steel is generally unavoidable.

Concrete Pavement: Mesh reinforcement can usually be omitted. Dou'els for joint reinforcement need not be omitted since they amount to only about 5 pounds per dwelling unit.

Concrete Walks, Fills Around Butts of Poles, Etc.: IJse heavier concrete construction without reinforcing; use precast blocks or stone.

Playground Equipment: Almost all types of equipment are reported to be available in predominantly r,vood construction.

Hand Rails and Steps in Walks and at Entrances: Wood.

Lighting Standards : Wood.

Street Name Signs: Wood.

Rubbish Cans: (Sunken) Use ordinary kind of can. May be screened by wood fence.

Porch Columns, Vine Ladders: Wood.

Benches: Wood, concrete or a combination.

Porch Steps, Stoops: Heavier cast concrete; precast concrete blocks; wood.

San Diego Will Get 500 Workers' Homes

Washington, July 1.-Federal Works Administrator John M. Carmody today approved a site in Southeast San Diego, Calif., for construction of 500 prefabricated demountable dwellings for families of defense workers. The site includes two tracts of land, one containing 80 acres and the other 26 acres, in the vicinity of Valencia Park.

Takes Over Coastwise Vessel

Hammond Lumber Company's coastwise steamer Arcata was commandeered by the United States Army on June 24 and received orders to proceed to San Francisco from where she is reportedly due to enter supply service to Alaska. The Arcata sailed to San Francisco after discharging a cargo of lumber at Los Angeles Harbor.