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Feature Article on W.W.II and the
Home Front. Topic: WAR, INDUSTRY
Written by Rich Wallace in May, 2000
SIDNEY COMPANIES PLAYED ROLE IN WORLD WAR II...Pg 2 |
| Other Sidney companies converted from
domestic products to war material as rapidly as possible. William Ross, the owner of Ross Products reported in August 1942 that the
company had finished additions to its West Poplar Street and Oak Street plants. The
company produced aluminum aircraft parts, as did the Stolle Corporation. The Sidney
Machine Tool Company produced the 'Sidney' line of lathes. They were used in the aircraft
and early jet propulsion industries. The most common government contract was the
"cost plus fixed fee" arrangement. It guaranteed the contractor a profit.
Monarch also received substantial federal funds in order to finance several large
additions to its Oak Street plant.
Sweeping government orders rationing certain raw materials had an immediate effect on
local industry as well. Ten months before Pearl Harbor, the availability of aluminum was
sharply curtailed by federal decree. Wagner
Manufacturing Company, anticipating the order, had already developed a new
pre-seasoned ironware line. Jerome Wagner reported that the introduction of the line at a
Chicago show in January 1941 "scooped the field." Liberty Folder officials also rushed to find
a substitute raw material for aluminum.
The rapid industrial expansion in Sidney, already a town
with full employment in 1940 created the biggest challenge for local leaders: finding
housing for the huge influx of workers. Local leadership and ingenuity again solved the
problems.
Although hundreds were brought in from other areas in ten school busses purchased by
the city, many workers searched for housing here. Mayor John Sexauer personally subsidized
local contractor John Hussey, who built over 200 homes. Even the construction of these
homes in Sidney between failed to meet the demand. Typical of the new housing subdivisions
developed after 1942 was the one built in the area of Park, Maple, Grove, Wagner and
Buckeye Streets. Over 100 houses were constructed of concrete block and gypsum board with
federal funds for a total of $305,890. Many of the larger, older homes in town, now rented
as multi-unit apartments, were first remodeled to provide additional housing during the
war.
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