Evening star., 1948-12-20
Life Insurance Sales
For II Months in D. T..
Down 10 From 1947
By Edword c. Stone

Life insurance policies written ir
the District in the first II month!
of this year totaled $117,627 900, of
2 per cent from last years record
reports from Hartford stated today
washington sales in November
amounted to $11 100000, also dowr
2 per cent from November, 1e47
Virginia made the best showing
In this territory with November
sales Of $22, ,491 900, up 2 per cent
and policies amounting to $253 ,426,'
900 in IL months. running 8 pei
cent ahead of the like 1947 period.
MARYLAND November sales amount
ed to $l8,l43,000, off IL per cent
from the same month year ago
Sales for the II months reached
s211,1140o0, a gain OF l per cent
over 1947.
Total sales In the United States
were down per cent in November
and / per cent in the ii months.
Initiation Pressures Ease.
A high volume of output and en-
ployment characterized economic
activity in November, with some
easing of inflationary pressures, the
ONCE Of Business Economics, De-
partment Of Commerce, reported
today.
A review of the business situation
pointed out that the stability OF
industrial prices and the less-than-
seasonal rise in department store
Sales between October and Novem-
ber were two aspects of somewhat
easier demand situation.
Wholesale prices Of goods other
than farm and food products were
unchanged for the fourth success
sive month, while farm prices de-
clined. Farm prices are now 10 per
cent lower than they were at the
beginning this year. Total employ
ment in November was maintained
at just under 100000.
Store Stocks Lead Market.
Department store stocks drew
most attention on the Washington
Stock Exchange today. Garfincke
common, Woodward 81 Lothror
common and Hecht common ap-
peared in the weeks opening sales
The Union Trust Co. held its an.
nual dinner and dance at the
Carlton Friday night, with ITS EN-.
ployes and guests present.
Greater Government activity in
finance and business in areas for
merly reserved for private ,itizens
is noted in 30-page book IT put
out by Banking, which IL s 50
Government agencies now en-. ged
In lending activities.
The information is grouped i
seven general divisions. Govern )
agencies carrying on activities IL
agriculture, banking and business
construction and housing, defense
power and transportation, inter-
national affairs and those in liquida-
ton or dissolved. Lending functions
terms and rates are included.
Bank Earnings to Hold Up.
No major change in bank profits
Is likely in 1949, assuming that the
level Of business activity will be
only moderately lower than In
1948, Standard g. Poor's Corp. says
Commercial banks will enter 194s
with practically record volume OF
loans on their books.
State and municipal bonds report
ed during November in SO States
totaled sS76, OTIS, compared with
$1,115,740,121 in November, 1947, the
Daily Bond Buyer announces.
Oscar r. Kreutz. executive man
ager of the National Savings & Loan
League. recently back from Europe,
says there is far less war talk there
than in the United States. Certainly
trade and monetary barriers seem
more insurmountable than ever. He
found the housing situation in
France static due to rent controls.
Christmas decorations in Wash
ington banks have received un-
usually favorable comment and
have rarely been more attractive.