The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-03-25
Outright
PessinlisfS ~
Are FeC and
- 34
Far BetlUeen
By The Associated Press

generally confident.
This is the main finding Of a
coast-to-coast Associated Press
survey in which business and in
dustrial officials were asked.
"How's business"
outrigh, pessimists were few and
far between. Optimism was wide.
spread il somewhat cauticls.
Leaders reported some major in
dustries so harried there is talk
of recession. even while others con.
tinue to boom.
Retail sales have fallen behind
scare-buying 1851 over most &. the
nation. Many prices have been re-
duced. Some manufacturing has
been cut back.
The big problems are high taxes,
rising labor costs, lower margins,
buyers resistance.
But despite the 'tsoft spots, !"
business is reported generally good
~ comparison with most recent
years.
Washington reports bear this out.
Government economists estimate
that gross national production
value of all goods and services
prsslucad--in the first three months
Of 1852 is at a rate Of more than
33S billion dollars annually. This
is 10 billion higher than it was a
year ago.
Here are other current Washing
ion estimates:
National income at an annual
rate of more than 285 billion de-
lars against 269 billion year ago.
Personal income more than PSI
billion against 243 billion in carly
1861.
Unemployment 100000 persons
in February, or 300,00 less than
a year earlier.
Among these responding to the
survey. industrialists who expect
to maintain high production out :.
number those taking dim view.
Retailers concede there is con
sumner resistance and il has hurt
But most arc confident that values
over the rest Of 1852 viii attract
enough buyers Sc volume will come
close TO that of last year!
Principal areas Of industrial Gis-
tress are found in textiles. shoes.
appliances, automobiles and hard
coGl.
Rapid expansion is the rule in
steel, aluminium, oil and defense
manufacturing.
The survey disclosed retail sales
In 10 or mere states--mainly in
the West and Deep South--running
surprisingly ahead Of the. early
1851 period of frantic scare buy
ing.
Many felt present prices would
be fairly well maintained; that
high personal incomes and ris-
migrate Of defense spending would
mean roster outlooks fer 10th ye.
taiicrs and producers.
6eclouding all predictions is this
unknown The time bomb OF Sc.
ries OF strikes could shut down
many industries and alter business
prCspects drastically.
The second quarter of 1862 start.
ing April I. is the period in which
government economists said We
would see the greatest pinch on
materials.
But las il approaches, what is
the picture?
Defense production officials are
considering relaxing contrt's on
some types Of steel and ALUMINIUM
in ample supply. They're giving a
go-ahcad 10 commercial and non.
defense industrial construction.
April could tip the balance.
A series of strikes would make
supplies short again, bring tight.
ened ccltrols and keep many con-
structior workers idle.
Wage-price increases in steel and
other industries could set off
new inflationary spree. This might
start new scramble for goods
and materials. another wave of
frantic stocking Of inventories.
Here are results &, the A. l..
survey Of business and industrial
leaders
Retail sales in 50 states have
fallen behind 1851, in many eases
by 10 10 Is per cent. But COM
parsons with 1850 are mostly "a.
yorablc. And states showing in.
crcases over last years level in
Guide Alabama. Louisiana. MissiS-
sippi. Kansas. North Dakota, Wyo-
ming. Arizona and West Virginia.
Prices of many ft.ld products
have declined but the overall pic,
lure is reported Stable. Many de-
clmes are called seasonal,
Unemployment is serious pro-.
lem in relatively few areas.
ruthacks in construction work.
because of credit or materials re.
stric,ions. have affected several
,yeax In some C. them defense
work has taken no the slack. Fed.
eral figures show nearly million
mare n the civilian working force