Representatives of four nations recently met at the U.S. Department of States Washington, D.C. to report on progress of the three month old international Materials Conference. Purpose of the Conference is to help nations alleviate their commodity shortages by recommending methods of expanding production and increasing distribution of existing supplies. Left to Right are Edwin T. Gibson, acting Administrator of the U.S. Defence Production Board and Chairman of the Conference's Central Committee; F.A. Meere, First assistant Comptroller General, Department of Trade and customs, Canberra Australia, and vice chairman of the Central Committee Egidio ***** Counselor of the Italian Embassy in the united States; and Vice Chairman of the Central Committee; and Charles W. Jeffers, ***** States Executive Secretary of the Conference. July 06, 1951. (Photo by United States Information Service).