Evening star., 1944-07-10
Business Briefs

Retail Store Sales in May approxi-
mated $5,726 100000, an increase OF
1870 over year ago, the Commerce
Department estimated. The figure
has been exceeded only by December
peaks of the last three years and in
October. 1943, when heavy advance
Christmas buying took place.
General Business Activity has re-
ceded further. according to the in
dex Of Business Week, which stood
at 234.2 in the latest week, COM
pared with 1851 in the preceding
week. 1857 month ago, 1885 six
months ago and 23l4a year ago.
Rayon Yarn Shipments in the first
half OF this year set new record
for the period at 263 100000 pounds,
compared with 242 100000 year
ago, the Textile Economics Bureau
reported. June shipments totaled a.
100000 pounds, compared with As
100000 in May and 39,60O,0O0 a year
ago.
Commercial Rent Conditions will
be discussed at a special hearing
called here July IA by the Senate
Small Business Committee Many
business and trade association ex-
ecutlveS will attend.
International Cartels and mo
nopoly in domestic business" will be
subjects of twin studies announced
by the Twentieth Century Fund
The war lis likely to generate a
cartel movement of far greater
scope and compass" than took place
in the l920s or 1930s, officials of the
organization said.
Changes in the Patent System
which will be recommended to Con-
greSs by a committee of the Ma
tlonal Association of Manufacturers
Will be directed toward minimizing
the uncertainty as to the validity of
patents and as to what constitutes
a patentable invention: reducing
delay in issuance of patents and
lowering expense and delay of
patent litigation.
Quaker Oats Co. Offering of S1O,-
100000 20-year 25sqo debentures
due 1864, was placed on the market
at 9934 and accrued interest by a
group headed by Hartman Ripley
Il Co. Proceeds, with funds from
S5,O00000 of 49, serial notes, will
be used as future developments as
the business may require.
International Shoe Co. earned
S3.l06.250 or 80 cents share in six
months ended Nav 81. compared
with $3.385,320 or Sl0l in the same
period a year ago.
Thompson Starrett Co., Inc, re-
ported net loss of S2l7.4OO in II
months ended April 80. compared
with a net profit of $420,73 or Sc. SO
a preferred share in the previous
year
Southwestern Public Service Co.
net for nine months ended MAY 81
was $1,364, ,439 VS.. $1,866 POS a year
ago.
General American Investors Co.,
Inc, reported ne. assets equal to
$467.01 preferred share and Sl7.38
common share on June 80, COM
pared with $39472 and $l4.5O at the
end of 1943, and $403 90 and S14.96
at the end of June. 1943.
Northwest Airlines passenger rev.
enues exceeded $500, 900 in June and
were the largest for any month in
the company's history.
Pullman, Inc, did not appeal a
Federal Court order to divest itself
of either its car manufacturing ac-
tivities or sleeping Car service for
fear it might lose the right to decide
which line of business to give up
President D. A. Crawford revealed
The firm must decide within 80 days
starting July 7.
H. X. Porter Co., Inc. appointed
s. E. Hackett vice president in
charge Of production for its Porter
B!airsville Co. division at Blairs-
vile, Pa. Mr.. Hackett was formerly
president OF Jones Il Laushlin
Steel Corp. -,