Possible key metal monopoly committee's study. Washington, D.C., May 8. The temporary National Economic Committee turned its investigation today upon the little known beryllium industry. Senator Joseph O'Mahoney, Co-chairman of the Committee, is shown here with Andrew Gahagan, President of the Beryllium Corp., of Temple, Pennsylvania, examining the crude ore and a sample hammer which is made from an alloy with beryllium. Gahagan described beryllium as an element, fourth in atomic weight from hydrogen, which can be combined with copper or nickel and certain other metals, to produce alloys of extraordinary hardness, lightness, and strength. The committee suspects that the metal may become a key material in industrial and war supply problems