METALS: Aluminum for Britain

Britain was glad to make a deal for aluminum which the aluminum-short U.S. had turned down. Under an agreement made last week with the Aluminum Co. of Canada, Ltd., Britain, already importing 150,000 tons a year, will be assured of that supply, plus an additional 50,000 tons annually for 20 years.

Alcan had offered to sell the U.S. Government 200,000 tons in the next three years at 16½¢ a lb., 1¢ below the U.S. domestic price. But U.S. producers protested so loudly that NSRB Boss Stuart Symington turned down the deal. U.S. producers declared that they could supply all the aluminum the Government needs, if given time and money to expand. Meanwhile, NPA has ordered a 35% cut for civilian use of aluminum by March.