The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-05-12
NATIONS REAL INCOME" FOR
MARCH PERIOD HIT new HIGH
Especial to The Citizen)

Especial to
MINNEAPOLIS. May 12.-Mr.
and Mrs. American Public during
March enjoyed the highest real
income" in their lives as cash in
come gains kept ahead of the adj
vance in living costs. Their real
income" in March, 1941 was nine
teen cents on the dollar higher
than in March, 1910, according to
monthly study of what people
get and spend, made public here
today by Investors Syndicate.
Higher taxes and higher costs
later may make Mr., and Mrs. Pub
lie dig deeper into their pocket
books" explained Investors Syn
dicate's monthly study, "but at
the moment consumers are faring
very well. Their March cash in
come, thanks chiefly to substan-
tial increases in wages and sala-
rieS, was Il cents on the dollar
ahead of March, 1910. Their March
cash outgo, however, was up only
two cents on the dollar over the
same month of last year.
Wage Rise Leads Cash
Income Gains
Wage envelopes in March,
l94l contained $1.34 for every
$100 in them in March, 1910. Dur.
ing February they contained
$l29, in January $l.22 and in De-
cember. 1910, $1,16 respectively,
all figures being contrasted with
the same month of a year earlier.
Salary checks in March, 1941
were written for $1.15 against
$100 in the like period of 1910. In
February they were made out for
$113, in January for $110 and in
December for $108 respectively,
all COMPARISONS being contrasted
with $l.00 for the like month of
year previous.
"Other income, such as business
earnings, the sale of cattle and
crops, rents, and royalties, during
March. l94l stood at SLOT COM
pared with $l00 in the same 1910
month. This item in February
was $l0l, in January $l08, and
in December. 1910 was $l.20. all
of these comparisons being made
with $1.00 for the like month of
the preceding year.
Investment Income Off
From February
Dividend and interest dis
bursements in March. 194l were
St.04 as contrasted with Sl00 in
the like 1910 month Such pay
ments in February were $l,05. in
January $l96 and in December.
1910 were SI08 compared with
$l.00 for each of these months a
year earlier.
Most of these cash gains.
through March at least. were
translated into real income
gains. because living expenditures
did not increase as rapidly as cash
incomes.
Miscellaneous Items Lead in
Living Cost Rise
Miscellaneous items. usually
the second largest household out
lay. advanced three cents to Sl03
during March compared with
100 in March. 1910. For months
this group of items, which include
all services, and every living
necessity and luxury, other than
food. clothing and shelter. has
been unchanged compared with
the like month Of "a year earlier.
Higher prices for services nat
urally arc a reflection nj higher
costs, chiefly higher wages and
salaries. and higher taxes. In thr
case of miscellaneous products,
declining imports and defense
priorities have been contrlbutory
factors TO higher prices.
Food Prices in March
Are Steady
Food. which ALWAYS takes the
largest single slice Of the average
householaer's expenditures, was
unchanged IN March from a year
ago. During February. January
and December respectively, food
I prices Wers unchanged compared
with their quotations Of the same
months in the preceding year.
Clothing could be had az prices
virtually unchanged from March,