Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1935-06-20

zines shows that industry is display
ing much more initiative than it
was a year, two years, or three years
ago. There are exceptions to this
rule, of course, principally consist
ing of businesses which are in fear
| of legislative attack. But even these
feel that there is good chance that
matters will work out we'll in the
long run. Here are some business
briefs of interest:
Railroads: ALI over the country
lines are instigating drives to regain
lost passenger traffic. Lower rates
and better service, air-conditioning,
more comfortable cars, higher
speeds, etc., are high spots of the
drive. Western railroads have re-
Gently gone in for large joint ad-
vertising program.
Construction: Revival of construc-
ton, mainly domestic, is believed
essential to recovery, to employment,
to industrial activity at large. A
billion dollars could proftajbly be
spent for new homes, a billion more
for renovizing old ones. Interesting
plan is announced by General Elec-
trio Company which will spend $780,
100000 for constructing 1900 model
houses, costing $4,000 to $10,5O0 each,
throughout the country-one house
to each 100000 of population. Com
mittees will work in every popula- |
ton center to find buyers for the
houses. General Electric's main
contribution will be to completely
electrify the public view from Sep
TENDER 1, when all houses will be
completed, to October 81. General
Electric's hope is that this will cause
nationwide demand for better,
more efficient, more economical
homes.
Utilities: The MIRA decision has
put new confidence into this indus
try, for two diverse reasons: First,
the most difficult utility operating
problem has been to keep rates down
in the face of MIRA artificially boost
ed material costs-a problem which
has likewise applied to railroads and
other industries with fixed rate
bases. Second, and perhaps more
important, the decision has given
utility owners hope that the pro
posed Wheeler-Rayburn bill to elm
mate the holding company win be
held unconstitutional when and if it
reaches the High Court.
Motors: Also gained from the
MIRA decision. In the words of
Time, the industry has been setting
"new records for proftless pros
iperity"-in that it is unable to pass
along to the public the higher ma
terial costs the MIRA forced it to
pay. Big motor companies will now
be able to use their vast bargaining
power to cut the price for steel and
other necessary commodities. Also,
the NRA used-car code provisions
slowed down sales-now that it is
gone, and Mr.. Public will be able to
get more for his old car, motormen
believe he will go for new cars in a
big way.
Retail Trade: Price wars are RAM
pant, especially in the tobacco, drug,
liquor and sundry trades. Consumers
are thronging the cut price stores,
where Gloss leaders" predominant.
(Some chains recently sold cigarettes
which cost them about $10O carton
for as little as go cents). (Result
lis a terrific retail turnover.
Air Conditioning: Developments are
coming fast in this, one of our
youngest industries. Competition is
tremendous some 100 concerns bid
ding for business. This trends to
give the public better equipment at
lower prices and on more favorable
terms. A new entry into the field
offers, for less than $500, a unit
that will provide complete summer
air conditioning for from four to
eight rooms for SIS or less a season.
Banking: A highly interesting de-
velopment in this field is the fact
that commercial banks are taking up
small loan business, something they
refused to do few years ago.
Large banks are opening personal
loan departments, where responsible
persons of small means can obtain
money without going to the loan
sharks who still charge anywhere up