Business: Popcorn

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When popcorn is shaken over a fire, pleasant is the music its kernels make as they burst into white and edible blossoms. Last week U. S. industry, warmed by Recovery's flame, burst out in many a happy pop: ¶ The American Washing Machine Manufacturers' Association announced that factory shipments of household washers for ten months of 1935 totaled 1,241,000 against 1,097,000 in ten months of 1934. ¶ In Gilbertville, Mass. musicians blew bugles at street corners, assembled the town's population to hear good news. The George H. Gilbert Manufacturing Co. (worsted fabrics) was ordering 100 new looms, would reopen its largest mill about Jan. 1, expected soon to be employing 800 hands. The population cheered, paraded around the village common. Gilbertville, once a model industrial town, has been depressed since its mills closed four years ago. ¶ At Winchendon, Mass. some 500 men & women worked in two 8-hour shifts to supply a record-making toy demand. Leading items: hobbyhorses and miniature baby grand pianos. ¶ Allegheny Steel reported a 1935 (ten months) increase in alloy sales of 16% by volume, 18% by dollars. Allegheny specializes in "Allegheny and Ascoloy Metals," chromium nickel stainless steel alloys. ¶ In the year ended Oct. 31, 1935, U. S. railroads abandoned only 1,692 miles of track. They abandoned 2,514 miles in 1934. New trackage came to 88 miles in 1935; to 70 miles in 1934. ¶ United Carbon Co. opened three new carbon black plants, had two more under construction, planned to increase carbon black capacity from 385,000 lb. a day to 485,000 lb. a day. Carbon black is produced by burning a "sour" natural gas that is no good for lighting or heating. Tiremakers take 75% of the output; 15% goes into inks; the remainder is used in rubber heels, shoe polish, paint, other products. ¶ By Nov. 1 the American Telephone & Telegraph Co. had made 7,381 teletypewriter installations, compared to 5,419 as of Nov. 1, 1934. ¶ Comptroller of the Currency O'Connor announced an additional dividend of 10% to depositors of Manhattan's Harriman National Bank & Trust Co. Some 9,400 depositors got $1,636,000. Last week's dividend brought total payments of claims up to 76%. ¶ Union Pacific Railroad placed a $4,000,000 order for 70,000 tons of steel rails, 30,000 tons of steel rail accessories. It also announced a $4,000,000 car repairing program, planned to rebuild 2,447 boxcars, 751 automobile cars. ¶ Sales of Montgomery Ward set all-time records. Ward's October sales were better even than sales of December 1929, previous all-time high. ¶ Tennessee Valley Authority ordered another 36,000-kva. generator from General Electric. Cost: $415,000. ¶ Pan American Petroleum ordered from Foster Wheeler, makers of equipment for oil refineries, a $1,500,000 polymerization plant. Gasoline polymerization is a method of producing gasoline from natural or refinery gas by combining the light gas molecules into heavier gasoline molecules. ¶ Net October income of U. S. railroads was estimated at $32,000,000, about one-half as much money as the railroads lost during the first nine months of the year. ¶ Homestake Mining (which, at $420, is the highest priced common stock on the New York Exchange) gave each employe a $100 Christmas bonus. ¶ Calumet & Hecla (Michigan copper)