STATE OF BUSINESS: Facts & Figures, Jul. 7, 1947

Canol Sale. A 577-mile stretch of the Canol Pipeline, costliest flop of the war, was sold to Cleveland's United States Truck Sales Co. for $700,000. Sale included bridges, trucks, mess halls, etc. which cost the U.S. an estimated $70 million—total installed cost including the refinery (excluded from the sale). The Truck Sales Co., which has grown big and rich dealing in Government surpluses, bought the stretch from Norman Wells to Whitehorse sight unseen; its information came from a surplus property catalogue. The company intends to salvage Canol equipment, estimates that it will have to spend another $700,000 and a year getting it out of the subarctic.

Down a Little. The first almost imperceptible drop since June 1942, in the cost of all living essentials except rent, was reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Between mid-April and mid-May the overall decline was three-tenths of 1%; food prices were down two-tenths of 1%, rents up the same amount.

Pound Wise, Tax Foolish. The new British sales tax on automobiles, which doubles on cars costing £1,000 or more, nipped, the Austin Motor Co., Ltd. Its 110 Sheerline model sold for exactly £1,000. So Austin will cut the price £1 ($4). The reduction will save Austin buyers more than £250 ($1,000) in sales tax.

Less Saved. A sharp decline in savings in the first quarter of this year was reported by SEC. Individuals' liquid savings (cash, bank deposits, U.S. bonds, etc.) dropped to $1.4 billion, less than half the amount saved in the last quarter of 1946 and the lowest since 1940.

Less Downed. The U.S. consumed 30% less whiskey, gin, rum and brandy during the first four months of 1947 than in the corresponding period last year; sales totaled 53,968,176 gal. v. 77,325,122. Reason for the drop: high prices.

Fresh Field. General Motors Corp. went into a new field. Its Frigidaire Division will soon put on sale three new appliances: an automatic clothes washer at $299.75; an electric clothes dryer, $229.75; and an electric ironer, $189.75.

First Blood. Sky-high leather prices enabled American Hide & Leather Co. to declare the first dividend on its common stock in its 48-year history. The dividend: 50¢ a share.

Red to Black. For the first time in ten months, T.W.A. was in the black. In May the net profit was $100,000. President LaMotte Cohu also announced the elimination of four regional offices, which will mean a further trimming of the airline's payroll. Said Cohu: The new setup will end petty jealousies, politics and "little empires."