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Show Study Reveals Facts on Wool only fibers we NEW YORK, N. Y., The prediction that synthetics will supplant a major part of wool con- sumption in the near future is viewed with extreme skepticism in current issues of two national business magazines, Fortune and Business Week. A claim that synthetics will replace one billion 0 pounds of wool within the next years in not supported by the facts, according to an exhaustive study by Fortune, while a comparative study by Business Week points out that the best fibers are the ones that have been around longest wool and cotton. Assessing claims for synthetics, the Fortune article notes; The public, which for centuries sat upon, trod upon, and kept itself warm, and happy with wool, is being t6li that it can be happy, even ecstatic, walking on an extrusion of wood pulp or clothing itself in a mixture of adipic acid hexamethethlylenediamine (which one ocpywriter referred to as 100 percent virgin nylon. Nylon is about as virginal as, say, a dish of spaghetti.) Dr. Roger Adams of the University of Chicagos Chemistry Department is quoted as the source of the statement which Fortune says is not supported by the facts that half the wool now consumed will be replaced by synthetic fibers within 10 to 20 years . . . Wool has never been in a better position, according to F. Eugene Ackerman, President, The Wool Bureau, Inc., proponent of wool who is quoted in the article in refutation to Dr. Adams statement. It has taken the best part of a million years or so to perfect the sheep, his statement continues. It may not take scientists that long to invent a fair wool substitute but to be successful they must produce a fiber containing the very substance of life, which is 'the basis of wools greatness. Wool, as always, will remain mans premier fiber. The proved worth of this natural fiber is also pointed up in the following statement from an article in Busines Week (April 19); Its still a fact that apart from their uncertain supply the best fibers are the ones have been around longest that wool and cotton. A textile research engineer puts it this way: If the 10-2- all-rou- MAY H, 1952 THE JOURNAL 6 nd and , all-rou- knew-u- p to now were the synthetics and somebody suddenly discovered cotton and wool cotton and wool would be hailed as miracle fibers. Fortune notes the important fact that world wool consumption has increased steadily, Consumption of wool in the world has actually increased, and nowhere more spectacularly than n the U. S., where the average per capita consumption in the was 73 per cent period higher than in the period 1934-3Attitude of the manufacturers of synthetics towards wool, the fiber whose qualities they attempt to imitate, has some friendly elements to it, according to the Fortune study: The chemical industries loudly disclaim any intention of driving the sheep out. That is only logical. In their internecine war the synthetic makers need wool to exploit their own products. They are, in effect, riding into new textile fields on the backs of sheep. Their friendly feeling toward sheep will continue just so long as there is not available in vast quantities any e equivalent of wool. Synthetic manufacturers insist that their fibers are not substitutes their auphemistic way of saying 'that the fibers are not seconthe article notes. To a neutral observer, the argument seems to be largely one of semantics, it states. Adams i s undoubtedly Dr. right, the article concludes, in asserting that such an equivalent is possible. But in view of the present limiting factors on synthetics, his prediction that within 10 to 20 years the synthetics will replace an annual one billion pounds of wool seems not to be supported by the facts of the present situation. 1946-195- 0, Two new motion pictures will be released this month by the ag- ricultural development department of the Union Pacific Railroad. They are Wheat Smut and Culling Sheep. Wheat Smut shows some of the methods new employed by wheat men in their efforts to halt the ravages of the several varieties of smut in the nations wheat 8. crops. The fungus plant growth been known. to mankind 'for more than 2,000 years, but its toll has been especially heavy in recent years, somtimes running into millions of dollars annually. Culling Sheep was made as a companion film to W e s t e r n Sheep, which was released about a year ago. Culling Sheep shows modern techniques used in removing from sheep flocks those animals whose wool and lamb' production have fallen below the average return per animal in the flock. has proper feeding of stock, the film points out, the most important consideration in sheep husbandry is the regular and systematic culling of the flock in order to keep it in thrifty condition for meat and wool production at a profitable return. Both films are available for showings by Union Pacific agricultural agents or may be booked through the Union Pacific motion picture Bureau, 1410 Dodge Street, Omaha, Neb. There is no charge for their use. The 10 mm, and film are in. color and sound. ten-minu- te Next to careful selection The Greatest Show on Earth man-mad- d-bests, SALLY'S SAUK L (BlWt ikTutiHb nd In whiskey, too, thoro Is nr uu ,100) This is DEDT tho TURTLE Dont delay dinner, Mother dear. Im going out with the Navy this who is really smart and careful. See what he does when he thinks he might get hurt? He pulls In under his nice, thick shell. Do you th!nk you could learn to DUCK AND COVER quickly, too? Bert's going to tell you HOW and also WHY. evening, good...bottdrand nn HE'S smart: BUT HB HAS HIS SHELTER ON HIS SACK.., 0 w .DP ILILj 'Bourbon at its 'Best KBITUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBOII WHISKEY ;3 UP RELEASES TWO NEW FILMS 'cat pill AND Hill COMPANY, LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY YOU MUST LEARN TO FIND SHELTER ' q (jimii QjoaiEO fflaav j , gaieen giiuenBii laa ivr CONTINUED IN THE NEXT ISSUEI |