The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-05-15
YOUR DOLLAR
BY CONSUMERS UNION
1910 REFRIGERATORS

1910 REFRIGERAToRS
Refrigerator manufacturers have
started a war all their own. Unlike
the European war, this one brings
lower prices to consumers. Some re-
frigerators now selling at $113 to $l20
are better than models which cost
$3.50 last year.
Consumers Union reports in its May
issue on II brands of refrigerators.
The report is based on tests cover
ing safety freedom from shock haz-
ard and from poisonous fumes); per-
formance; comparative costs of oper-
alton; and construction, including in
sulation, sealing and finish
Gu found several improvements
over last years refrigerators. msula-
ton, sealing and finish have been I'M
proved in some makes. Many economy
models now have interior lights, ice
tray lifters and easy-opening latches,
which were luxury items few years
ago. The additional features now Of
fered on deluxe models, such as water
bottles, door racks and special meat
compartments are convenient, but
usually not worth the $50 to 500
extra price.
The special humidity compartments
such as "Moistmaster," "Humichest'
and "Humidial" are essentially closed
compartments which confine the moist
air and keep food from drying out
The same result may be obtained
more cheaply, Gu points out, but u.s.
ing any closed dish. It's hard to get
plain, ungadgeted refrigerator at the
basic selling price. Dealers incline
to use the low price as come-on,
try to sell you a more expensive box
when you get inside. But you can get
the economy model if you insist. Try
the utility company if you have no
luck at your dealers.
Union Made Refrgerators
The following are the union rela-
tionships under which some of the re-
frigerators tested by Gu are made:
Crosley-under contract with the
Intl Bro. of Electrical Workers (AFL).
General Electric, Westinghouse =
under contract with the United Elec-
trical, Radio & Machine Workers
(CIO).
Leonard-under contract with the
United Automobile Workers (CIO).
Kelvinator under contract with
the Mechmanics Educational Society
(unaffiliated).
,o,,J 10, Loo 1n0o1
Norge is organized by United Auto
mobile Workers (AFL).
Hotpoint has almost all parts made
by General Electric, union shop.
Sears Coldspot is made by Sun
beam Electric Mfg. Co. It's morgan
lied, says UERMWA.
MEMS SHORTS
Whether you buy banjo shorts, bal
loon shorts, parachute shorts or just
plain shorts, you want them to be
full cut and roomy, both before and
after washing.
Consumers Union tested Is brands,
insisting first of all on comfortable
fit. Four samples of each brand were
IColCu CobCi CAdllllliCQ thO oNDiSh
and construction of the shorts, meas
ured them and compared the meas
urements with the minimum industry
standards. Then the fabric was tested
in a tensile strength machine, the
shorts were washed, measured again
and compared with unwashed samples
of the original material to determine
whether they were colorfast.
The best buy came from chain
cigar store Schulte's, at 4 for 81
ranked fourth in quality, first in value
for the money. Wilson at soc was
highest quality.
Union-Made Mems Shorts
Union organization has not yet made
much Roadway in the mems shorts
industry. The United Garment Work
ers (AFL) reports that none of the
shorts tested by Gu was made under
the contract with it. The Amalgam-
ated Clothing Workers (C1O) reports
one union firm, Wilson, with condi- |
tions perhaps the best in the industry. |