Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-25
Washington Ticker
BY CHARLES p. sHAEFFER,
Associated Press Business Writer.


The Commerce Department reports
there were notable improvements in the
design and mechanical efficiency Of
automobiles during the last calendar
year.
Throughout the world, the depart
ment finds, there was a definite tend
ency to make new models represent more
value for the consumer. In the Amer
lean industry several noteworthy i'm
provements were introduced and stimu-
lated dull public demand.
European manufacturers are reported
to have devoted unusual attention to
improvements of production methods,
elimination of inefficient practices and
the six and eight cylinder jobs. Many
new models presented by European
manufacturers during the year showed
a continuance of the trend toward a
closer resemblance to American types
in some respects, while several new
American models revealed the adoption
of a body design resembling those OF
continental models.
In the European industry some out
standing tendencies in custom design
ing we're further retreat of the wind
shield line. lengthening Of the cowl
and hood and lowering of the body as
a whole, a greater use of chromium
plating of stainless steel and a greater
use Of the slipping Of V-shaped wind
shields.
Convertible types were said to be
more in evidence than ever before.
The Federal Trade Commission an
nounces that preliminary work Is now
under way in an investigation Of the
building material industry.
IN this inquiry the commission will
study facts relating to contracts for
the construction Of Government build
tngs.
Particularly will it seek to determine
whether there are or have been price
fixing or other agreements, understand
ings or combinations of interests with
respect TO the prices or other terms at
or under which materials will be fur
nished contractors or bidders for con-
struction work.
The chief examiner will make the in
vestigation ana report to the commits
sion.
The Commerce Department describes
in new booklet the raiment of a
well dressed home"
A mythical ideal living room would
include, in addition to draperies, floor
covering and decorative accessories,
such as pictures and flower bowls, a
fa-davenport, matching or con-
trasting chair second easy chair In
contrasting or complementary colors,
desk, desk chair, reading table, end
table. floor lamp, table lamp and book
case or hanging book shelf.
on budgeting, the department makes
the following apportionment Of funds
for each room: For furniture, IS to 10
per cent; fioorcovering, is to 20 per
cent draperies. 8 per cent; decorative
accessories, per cent.
The plan Of gradually accumulatlng
beautiful pieces OF furniture for the
home rather than the method OF spread
ing available money thinly over a large
number Of rooms is recommended. In
this way, 1t is pointed out, the home
NAV be furnished in a manner Tor
which meme need apologize.
At the same time, the department
saws IL is necessary that utility be a
prime consideration, particularly In tne
homes where there are growing cnii,
dren. In such homes, woods Wnlcn VIII
stand much abuse and upholstery COW
erings of durable materials are mos
/ suitable The successful room depends
not only upon the presence OF attrac-
! tive furnishings, but also upon the ao-
sence of undesirable appointments.
| Avoidance of serious mistakes during
preliminary stages Is practlcaily Ger
| tain to result fortunately in the .eno,
the department says.
Prospects for an early agreement OF
statement of facts in the case OF the
Electric Bond g. Share Co. are con-
sidered good by the Federal Trade Com,
mission. This matter has been oelayeo
| because of the demands on the Time Oh
! the commission counsel and examiners
| in connection with othsr hearings, and
because counsel for the company was
abroad. -,
This case originated out Of an appl-
| cation by the commission to the new
| York Southern District Court LOT an
| order recurring certain officers and en-
! ployes OF the Electric Bond q snare
| Co. to produce requested records and 10
answer questions claimed by the COM
mission to be pertinent to the inVestlga =
ton being conducted under senate
| resolution.
The court. in its opinion. stated 1t as
sumed that the Electric Bond d snare
| Co. was, in part at least, engaged IN
interstate commerce. the court Sa lu
that II the defendants wished to contest
the propriety OF that assumption, the
matter would have to go to master, OF
| that il the commission wished an ac-
Indication to the effect that the inter
state business of the company was so
! intimately associated and connected
with interstate commerce that all the
companys activities we're subject to the
| jurisdiction of the commission, refer
ence would be required to establish that
fact. Both parties, desiring to take ao-
vantage of the opportunity thus afforded
by the court, agreed to the appointment
| of a master.
The commission hopes the matter can
again be brought on for hearing at an
early date.