veterinary and pharmaceutical uses.

Ratings for various other uses, such as wood preservations and pine tar soap, have been denied.

In recent months, however, Chemicals Bureau officials said the demand for pine tar has loaded producers with orders all bearing AA-1 ratings and it has been necessary to issue a considerable number of AAA ratings. This growing stringency led to the determination to issue the allocation order, which will make it possible to obtain from consumers the information necessary to direct shipments at the proper times and in the proper quantities.

Allocations will be made on a monthly basis with a small order exemption of five gallons per person per month effective May 1. Producers of less than 500 gallons of pine tar a month are exempted from the provisions of the order. Suppliers' applications must be made on Form WPB-2946, consumers' on Form WPB-2945.

Business firms and individuals who normally apply for priority assistance on WPB Form 541 (formerly PD-1A) for the acquisition of equipment or materials other than controlled materials are advised to follow the revised instructions for the filing of this form, the War Production Board announced April 29. The amended instructions are effective May 1, 1944, and apply to the use of the form only. No change is made in the form itself or in the information asked for where the filing of this form is required.

In the interest of paper conservation, applicants are advised to continue to use the old form (identified by the printing date 7/6/43, which appears in the upper left corner), but observing the revised instructions. Separately printed instruction sheets containing the revised instructions for the filing of WPB Form 541 are now available at all WPB regional or district offices.

The revised instructions are as follows:

Applications for Project Ratings--In line with certain exceptions permitted under Direction 2 to Conservation Order L-41 and Controlled Materials Plan Regulation 5 and 5A allowing the installation without specific authorization of minor capital additions and processing equipment or machinery, the instructions on page 4 of WPB Form 541 under the heading "Applications for Project Ratings" has been amended to

"Under Conservation Order L-41, authorization is required to begin any construction, including additions and installations, the cost of which is above certain dollar limits. Below these dollar limits, construction may be carried on without any specific authorization from the War Production

Board. WPB Form 541 may be used to secure preference ratings on materials or equipment for construction which is below the dollar value requiring authorization under Order L-41. For all construction exceeding the dollar limits specified in Order L-41, WPB Form 617 (formerly PD-200) must be filed for authorization to begin the construction and for a preference rating and allotment of controlled materials."

Applications for Materials for Export--When exporters or foreign applicants are applying for both an export license and a preference rating to obtain material for export, Foreign Economic Administration Form FEA-419 only should be used to obtain both the preference rating and the export license. However, when a valid export license has already been issued to cover the materials, and only a preference rating is necessary, exporters and foreign applicants are to use WPB Form 541, omitting the answers to questions 6b, 13, 14, 158, 16, 18b, 18c, 18d, and 18f.

Applications for Equipment--Many WPB orders require specific authorization for the acquisition, sale or delivery of equipment to be obtained on WPB Form 1319 (formerly PD-556). The WPB Form 1319 instruction booklet (obtainable at any WPB office) lists the items released on the form, and these items should not be applied for on WPB Form 541. If a preference rating is required, it will be assigned on WPB Form 1319 and a separate application on WPB Form 541 is not required.

Applications by Individual Consumers--Reference to Form WPB-2631 (formerly PD-851) in the second paragraph, "Applications for Civilian Plumbing and Heating Equipment," has been changed to read "WPB Form 1319 (formerly PD-556)."

WMC CONDUCTS SEARCH FOR MANPOWER REPLACEMENTS

The labor situation in the fishing industry has been fully explained to the 12 regional directors of the War Manpower Commission, according to an announcement issued April 4 by Chairman Paul V. McNutt of the WMC. The regional directors have been instructed to explain to employers other than those in the fishing industry, the vital need for cooperating in the effort to send to the fishing industry all workers who can be spared, particularly during peak fishing periods. They have also been instructed to impress upon employers the importance of not hiring workers indiscriminately from fishing occupations.

In its instructions, the War Manpower Commission has called attention to the seasonal character of much of the employment of the fisheries and has attempted to set up a 'roundthe-year plan for keeping the industry supplied with workers. Emphasis has been placed on the need for encouraging employers to adapt more fishing jobs to the employment of women. Experience has shown, it was asserted, that women can do much of the work in fish processing plants that formerly was considered suitable for men only. WMC said that for all but the heavier occupations in the processing plants women workers should be considered. The possibility of employing young men and women in the summer during school vacation, and the recruitment of part-time workers was called to attention, and oyster shucking, fish packing and shrimp heading were explained to be occupations suitable for part-time workers. It was also suggested that the cooperation of agricultural agencies could aid in getting off-seasonal farm labor into fishing occupations. Regional directors also were asked to consider the availability of returning war veterans.

It is suggested that employers in the fishing industry keep in touch with local U. S. Employment Service offices regarding their needs for labor and request consideration of these needs in the formation of year-round plans for manpower utilization.

WMC SOLICITS LABOR FOR THE MAINE SARDINE INDUSTRY

With the U. S. Government asking for 21,924,000 pounds of Maine sardines for 1944, the industry is concerned over a serious manpower shortage, Paul V. McNutt, Chairman of the War Manpower Commission, said April 27. The problem is confined chiefly to on-shore, or canning operations. There has been less difficulty in getting men for the fishing boats.

Last year the Government requisitioned 26,500,000 pounds of canned sardines, or 55 percent of a total catch of approximately 47,000,000 pounds. The greater part was used for the military services and Red Cross prison packages, sent to prisoners of war. The remainder went to Lend-Lease. This year the Government needs about 45 percent of the estimated production of approximately 48,720,000 pounds. The industry expects a record-breaking catch. If we can convert the catch into the canned product, it will be relatively simple to meet the Government's needs.

Local United States Employment Service offices in the New England area are making a vigorous campaign to recruit workers for the canning plants. A special appeal is being made to women and part-time workers. The seasonal nature of the work permits the use of both to a greater extent than in almost any other field of employment, WMC surveys indicate.

"Maine housewives and schoolboys and girls," Mr. McNutt said, "can make a definite contribution to the war program by offering their services to the canners. The industry has agreed to arrange transportation to the plants in communities where public facilities are not available."

DEFERMENT OF FISHING CAPTAINS PERMITTED

State Directors of Selective Service were issued authorization on April 11 to recommend draft exceptions for captains of fishing vessels of 20 gross tons and over who are 18 through 25 years of age, and for whom Forms 42-A (special) are submitted.

These instructions were wired to State Directors by Major General Lewis B. Hershey, Director of Selective Service, after receipt of recommendations worked up by the War Manpower Inter-Agency Committee on Occupational Deferments on which the Office of the Coordinator of Fisheries was represented.

State Directors are authorized to recommend exceptions for registrants engaged in the listed activities, even though submitted Forms 42-A (special) do not bear the endorsement of a Government agency or its representative, but the presence of such authorized endorsement upon a Form 42-A (special) will be given weight as strong evidence of occupational necessity.

EMPLOYERS REQUIRED TO FILE REQUESTS FOR DEFERMENT OF 4-F REGISTRANTS

The National Headquarters of the Selective Service System amended on April 4, 1944, its Local Board Memorandum No. 115. The amendment imposes on employers of registrants who have been classified in 4-F (qualified for limited service only or disqualified for any military service) and on registrants who after separation from the armed forces have been retained in Class 1-C (discharged for physical reasons) the duty of filing Form 42 or 42-A, or other evidence of occupational necessity (for example, a letter stating the facts), with the local draft board of the registrant. According to circumstances applying, the paper filed must bear on the face the words "qualified for limited military service only" or "disqualified for any military service."

It is imperative that the members of the fishing industry immediately file these forms or equivalent papers, with the local draft boards. The procedure applies to all registrants.

Concerning the physically-fit registrants, the existing rules are continued for those who are 26 years old and over, but for registrants in the ages of 18 through 25, an original and two copies of Form 42-A Special must be filed. All three papers must be presented by the employer to the State Director in whose State the registrant's principal place of employment is located.

Registrants engaged in commercial fishing or processing of food who are classified as 4-F or 1-C, according to OWI release 3079, will not be required to leave the fishery industry, for these occupations are included in the national list of essential activities.

DRAFT BOARDS INSTRUCTED IN RECLASSIFYING 4-F'S

National Headquarters of Selective Service on April 29 issued to local boards a revision in the procedure to be followed in the reclassification of registrants who have been found disqualified for military service because of physical or mental disabilities.

The revised procedure divides the physically or mentally disqualified registrants into three groups, as follows:

1. Those disqualified by the local boards because of manifestly disqualifying defects;
2. Those rejected as result of physical examination at the induction station;
3. Those who hold medical discharges from the Army.

Under the revised procedure, the local board examining physician, the Medical Advisory Board and the State Director act as coordinating agencies in deciding whether or not individual registrants in the three groups shall be resubmitted for physical examination at the induction station.

OVERTIME WAGE COMPENSATION REGULATIONS RELAXED

By order of the Secretary of Labor (April 27, 1944), the overtime wage regulations established by Executive Order 9240 (September 9, 1942), have been made non-applicable "to employees engaged in the processing of fish including the canning and reduction thereof and operations incidental thereto in the United States, its Territories, and Possessions."

Executive Order 9240 provided that no premium wage should be paid employees for Saturday or Sunday work unless it was performed on the 6th or 7th day worked in the regularly scheduled week; that where emergency conditions require work for seven consecutive days in one week, a premium of double time should be paid for work on the seventh day; and that where required by law or contract, "not more than time and one half wage compensation shall be paid for work in excess of eight hours in any day or forty hours in any workweek or for work performed on the 6th day worked in any regularly scheduled workweek." It also provided that no premium or extra compensation should be paid for work on customary holidays, except time and one-half wages for work performed on New Year's Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas--and either Memorial Day or one other holiday of greater local importance.

Executive Order 9240 also applied these principles to Federal contracts; stated that employees were not required to work seven consecutive days in the prosecution of the war; that the order should not conflict with statutes governing employment of Federal employees; and that questions thereon should be referred to the Secretary of Labor regarding interpretation and application.

In Executive Order 9248 the Secretary of Labor was given authority to grant exceptions to Order 9240, and in Labor Department Determination of June 7, 1943 the Secretary of Labor excepted employees engaged in the processing of fish in Washington, Oregon, California, and Alaska from coverage by the Order. The new determination by the Secretary of Labor extends the exception to the entire U. S., its Territories, and Possessions.

USE OF TERM "SURF" OR "SKIMMER CLAM" CONSIDERED

Correspondence between the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Food and Drug Administration discussing the proper trade designation of the surf clam is reproduced as follows: (Letter from the Fish and Wildlife Service)

Industry and Service representatives in the Middle Atlantic area have requested that we ascertain the attitude of your Administration with respect to the use of the designation "surf clam" for Mactra solidissima, because the market for this variety is developing rapidly.

In our opinion "surf clam" is an appropriate designation because it is a commonly used name for the species and is descriptive, the clam usually being taken on sandy bottoms in shallow water. Another common name is "skimmer. The Service has used "surf clam or skimmer" in its statistical reports for years to designate this variety.

Will you please inform me if we are correct in assuming that you would not object to the use of this term in describing the contents of shipments of Mactra solidissima which would come under your jurisdiction.

(Reply from the Food and Drug Administration)

In reply to your letter of March 10 relative to an appropriate name for the clam known biologically as Mactra solidissima, we have no objection to the designation "surf clam" which you suggest would be descriptive and which has had sufficient usage to be accepted as the common name.

Apparently the term "skimmer" also has rights as the common or usual name and we should not be disposed to object to the labeling of this product as "skimmer clam." However, we agree that the name "surf clam" is preferable since the meaning of the term "skimmer" in this connection seems to us qui te obscure.

NEW FISHERY LEAFLETS

In March and April, the Fish and Wildlife Service released the following Fishery Leaflets. Copies can be obtained from the Service at the Merchandise Mart, Chicago 54, Illinois, free of charge.

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Some of the More Important Publications on Diseases and Parasites of Fish.

OUTLOOK FOR THE ALASKA HERRING FISHERY IN 1944

To help make optimum use of the herring resources of Alaska, the Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a 17-page report entitled "Outlook for the Alaska Herring Fishery in 1944." This publication, Special Scientific Report No. 25, written by E. H. Dahlgren and L. N. Kolloen, of the Division of Fishery Biology, is available from the Fish and Wildlife Service, Merchandise Mart, Chicago 54, Ill.

Indications of changing abundance gained from a study of the resources form the basis for predictions of the level of abundance. Predictions of 1943 stocks, compared with actual observations in 1943, as well as estimates of probable abundance in 1944, are made in this publication for the Kodiak, Prince William Sound, and southeastern Alaska areas.

Sectional Marketing Reviews

FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND OREGON

Although the halibut season opened April 16, all vessels of the halibut fleet remained in port throughout the month, the Service's Market News office in Seattle reports. New ceiling prices for fresh halibut were established by the OPA on April 6 and fishermen were protesting by delaying their fishing.

Receipts at Seattle were reduced in the first week of April from the preceding week because of a reduction in the Puget Sound herring catch and smaller arrivals of Columbia River smelt. In the following two weeks, receipts decreased markedly as coastal storms held fishermen in port, while in the fourth week, ending April 29, deliveries again assumed large proportions. Some 850,000 pounds arrived in the latter period, composed mainly of fish caught by otter trawls and salmon caught by trolling. Shark receipts were low as shark fishing was seasonally inactive. Considerable overhauling of vessels was accomplished.