The Farmville herald and farmer-leader. (Farmville, Va.) 1934-1957, 1953-01-02

CCIlSel tdllNt AOiLS eSS.
/ II. During the early months OF
1858 amendments to the Taft
Hartley Act will be moderate.
Great labor turmoil would surely
result in severe restrictions on
labor being read into the Act.
All in all 1 forecast a decline in
strike totals for 1858
49, Looking to the year 1858.
I am urging my friends and their
children to work more faithfully
at their Jobs. They should not be
fooled by present high demand
for labor. Early 1853 should be
used to dig IN and work harder.
Drifters will be the first to be let
CO.
Price Forecasts
10. Barring World War III and
severe droughts. the supply Of
most raw materials, farm pro-
ducts. and manufactured goods
promise to be ADEQUATE during
1858. Even the so-called invisible
inventories in the hands of con-
sumers are high as result Of
heavy buying since the outbreak
of the Korean War. I anticipate
few shortages next year.
20. Do not forget that there is
always big IF in the supply
situation with regard to farm
products. Severe drought could
cause havoc. One is already long
overdue. Scan closely weather re-
ports from the nations bread
basket"
81. The demand for goods will
be stronger in the first half OF the
wear than it will be during the
last half. Disposable income will
hold close to current high levels
during the first half Of 1858.
( %. Total pay rolls will hold
we'll with prospects favoring q
slight drop during the late
months of 1858.
%. Farm gross income vii
strengthen along seasonal lines
during the first four or five
months Of 1858. If we then avoie
drought. I look for a lower farm
income during the second half o.
the year.
"a. The trend of wholesale com
moditv prices viii remain IN
basic long term downswing. LOOK
for temporary price recoverles n
many groups during the earl,
part of 1858, but do not let then
fool you. 4
Is. Unless more COMBINATIONS
troubles or drought strike hard
living costs should average some
lower in 1858 than in 1852, Here
again. the tapering- will occur
late. not early in the year.
Retail Trade
IS. Overall trade in 1858 will
be close to 1852 levels as far as
physical volume is concerned
with a moderate decline in dol
lar totals. The most attractive
merchandising investments should
be: % Supermarket groceries
90 Variety chains: 90 Mail or
der stores; and a. Department
stores. excepting a few in the
largest and most congested cities.
Of. Demand for capital goods
will hold strong during most OF
1858. A definite slowing. how
ever. will take place at some
time. 1853 sales Of consumer dur
ables should about equal 1925
total sales. which were restricted
by the steel strike.
%. Movement of soft goods dur
ing 1858 should be about the
same as during 1852 Some fresh
ening of demand in tha carly
months may be offset late, by a
renewed lull
Real Estate
%. Barring World War III. rent
controls will be thing of the
past in most areas by the end OF
1883 ..
/ 30 Home building will be less
in 1858. Prices NAV weaken dur
ing the latter part of the year.
Building costs should edge lower.
ONLY small new houses will be
in demand.
81 In my opinion. the cost of
mortgage money will tend some
what higher during 1858
80. Construction of municipal
and public works should rise
moderately in 1858 as compared
with 1852. This may be stepped
up sharply late in the year if
business falters. There may be
surplus of taX-free bonds.
/ 80. A moderate slide-off in the
sale of commercial farm proper
ties can be expected No bad
break, however, seems likely in
1858. Fear OF World War III.
moreover. should help farm prices.
"a. Population trend is away
from the big cities Fear of pos
sible bombing and automobile
ovcrcrowding will continue as
drag on city realty values, Con-
tinued migration from the urban
ccnters will help suburban pro-
perties.
35. For those who plan buying
new homes in 1858. l strongly
urge the purchase of acreage in
suitable suburban areas. Surely.