The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-05-29
YOUR DOLLAR
By CONSUMERS UNION
FLASHLIGHTS

Have you a flashlight in your home
Stop look and recollect before you
rush out to the electrical or hard
ware store. Chances are you have
one forgotten In some corner, needing
only new batteries or a new bulb.
When you shop for batteries, try tc
get those which are dated at least 9
year ahead. Batteries lose life even
standing idle on the shelf, Consumers
Union found
For those who must buy a new
flashlight, GU. tested 10 models OF
the most convenient round type using
two I'D" batteries. Even at today
high prices, Gu. found some excellent
buys-flashlights whose design, con-
struction and operation were way
ahead of their price. And at the same
time, some of the more expensive
models failed to pass the tests.
Good buys are: Strauss (Strauss
Auto Supply Stores, ACC without bat
teries); H. l.. Green variety Stores,
59c without batteries) Burgess (S5c
with batteries); Eveready (69c with
batteries).
LABoR-Flashlight and Batteries
Only few of the flashlights and
batteries tested by Gu. are made I'M
der union shop conditions. They are:
1. Under contract with the United
Electrical Radio & Machine Workers
(CIO); Eveready flashlights and bat
teries; Blaco flashlights; Philco bat
teries.
2. Under contract with the init. Bro.
of Electrical Workers (AFL); Usalite
flashlights and batteries; Acme, Best,
Blue Top and Merit batteries.
SIMPLE SHOE REPAIRS
Spending as usual" is out for the
duration. Most of us are looking for
new ways to save money and mate
rails. One of the easiest savings we
can make is one our shoe repairs.
For example, we don't need to wait
till soles wear out, then spend 65c to
So to fix them. We can extend the
life of the original soles by applying
thin rubber outer soles while the
shoes are in good condition. Gu.
tested two brands sold in 10c and
variety stores-Slipknot and Stick-On
found them durable and simple to
apply. A pair will wear about as long
as a regular leather sole. And the |
different in cost will pay for several |
War Savings Stamps.
Most of us have the habit of getting |
new rubber heels when the old ones |
are worn down at the back. Gu. |
tested a rubber putty,
Solo, sold in dime stores, and report |
that with it heels can be built up at
he point of wear for just about &c
rs compared with soc for new heels.
The built-up portion appears to last
about as long as the original heel.
ATHLETES FOOT
Warm weather is about to bring the
yearly scourge Of athletes foot. And
With it comes the annual advertising
epidemic for Absorbine Jr and other
,o-called remedies.
Almost all of us are already carry
ng the fungus of athletes foot. The !,
pest way to dodge the disease is to
ret rid of the dead skin and above
Ill moisture which helps 1t become
ctive. II you are sensitive to ath-
ete's foot wash your feet once or
vice daily with rubbing alcohol and
inish off with plain unscented talcum
,nx s..t1 oh
90. Wear comfortable shoes, prefer
bly, with perforated uppers, and take
hem off whenever possible. Place
ambs wool or folded cigaret papers
etween the toes most subject to in
ection. If you have blisters, bad I
racks, or severe itching, try bathing !.
our feet in potassium permanganate
olution Il 5-grain tablet to " quarts S
f cold water) twice day. Calamine
otion before going to bed may help.
If the condition persists, it's best to 5
ee doctor. Don't throw away your
honey on the patent remedies. They
re seldom as effective as the treat
rents we outlined, and they may irri-
lte your skin and make the symp-
pms even worse.
ais
YOUR DOLLAR is a regular
monthly feature. The facts and
opinions given are based on Con-
sumers Union Reports, the month
ly magazine of Consumers Union,
II Union So. W., New York,
non profit organization W h os e' S
main object is to safeguard buyers 3
by testing and reporting on con-
sumner goods. Note especially the 4
information on labor conditions 8
under which products are made.