Wool During World War II

Governmental action regarding problems arising in connection with wool and wool manufactures during the war is the chief concern of this report. But these problems are not disassociated from the more general problems then faced by our Nation. The Nation’s entire economy underwent considerable necessary adjustment between 1939 and 1946. Most of the governmental actions taken in regard to wool and wool manufactures had counterparts elsewhere in the economy. The wool industry relies on foreign sources for much of its raw-material supplies. A vast number of wool uniforms are needed in fighting a war. The products of wool have not been standardized. In themselves these conditions are not unique to this industry. The situation is unique when these and many other distinctions are combined in one industry. It was primarily because military requirements for wool textiles are huge that wartime control of the industry was essential. Allocation of output, special efforts to increase the supplies of the raw-materials, and control of the prices were necessary. In general, the efforts of the Government were effective in making these adjustments. In the body of this report, Government actions regarding wool are discussed on a functional or agency basis. For example, all the programs relating to supplies of wool are discussed together. Such treatment appears to be essential to a general understanding of the subject matter but for a clearer insight into the timing of these changes a chronological treatment would be preferable. Therefore, a chronology has been prepared. It is divided into five periods and each period is preceded by a summary statement of conditions that prevailed within that period. Each of these periods represents essentially a different stage in the prosecution of the war. A study of this chronology will assist in an understanding of the wartime developments within the wool industry.