The American public appears to be less inclined to travel distances for its retail purchases and is more prone to support the small establishment. There were 74 persons required for the theoretical support of each retail establishment in 1939 as compared with 83 in the peak year of 1929.

The total number of retail outlets, according to the Bureau of the Census increased 20 percent in the same period of time as compared with a 7 percent increase in population.

Each of these retail outlets received $23,750 as its pro rata annual share of retail business in 1939, or approximately $79 a day. These figures were about 15 percent better than they were in 1935 when they averaged $20,653 or $69 per day.

Each of the 74 persons for each establishment spent $319 a year in his theoretical store and this amount was 24 percent greater than that spent in 1935. In 1929 the annual expenditure was only 19 percent greater.

The average size family, according to the latest census reports, is 3.8 persons, hence each family expended slightly more than $1,200 in 1939 or approximately $4 a day.

The census data are segregated into various retail classifications which are in turn grouped under 11 general subdivisions, namely: food group; general stores (with food); general merchandise; apparel; furniture-household-radio group; automotive; filling stations; lumber-building-hardware group; eating and drinking places; drug stores and other stores. For complete details as to these classifications and definitions as to the kinds of retail stores included one should consult the releases issued by the Bureau of the Censs.

Food Largest Item

As would be expected the food group received the largest amount of the per capita sales, slightly more than $77 a year. On this basis the average family annual expenditure was $293 or about 98 cents per day.

It required 239 persons for each store in the food group as compared with 239 in 1935. The average annual sales per retail food outlet in 1939 amounted to $18,121 or 15 percent more than the $15,719 in 1935.

Americans are spending more money in filling stations and there are more filling stations in which to spend the money. In 1939 it required 544 persons to support one of these outlets but in 1929 nearly double that number or 1010 persons, were needed.

The per capita sales in 1939 increased 47 percent over the banner year of 1929 and were nearly 39 percent greater than they were in 1935. On a dollar-and-cents valuation they amounted to $21.44 in 1939, $15.45 in 1935 and $14.56 in 1929.

The average annual sale for each filling station for the same periods was $11,670, $9,960, and $14,710.

Inventors Council Will Consider

All Defense Ideas

Defense ideas, regardless of how revolutionary they may be, are being given due consideration by the National Inventors Council. The Council, in a recent statement regarding the character of useful inventions, pointed out that the types of inventions most likely to be utilized by the nation's defense agencies can be classified in the two following broad fields: Improvements in devices or methods now in use; and new devices or ideas not now known or in use, but which may be found useful or perhaps important in some portion of the national defense program.

It was added that inventions or suggestions most likely to be found acceptable are: those based on a knowledge of the particular field in which they lie, plus some knowledge of the military requirements surrounding their use; and those based on entirely new but sound conceptions which may be so promising that military requirements and strategy can be planned to utilize them.

Phenolic Disinfectant Standards Promulgated

Two new phenolic disinfectant standards, accepted by the trade as standards of practice for new production beginning February 1, 1941, are now available from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C., at 5 cents per copy. They are described as follows: "Phenolic Disinfectant (Emulsifying Type) (Second Edition), Commercial Standard CS70-41, and Phenolic Disinfectant (Soluble Type) (Second Edition), Commercial Standard CS71-41."

On Handling Radioactive Luminous Compounds

Safe practices in the handling of radioactive luminous compounds in the dial-painting industry are set forth in Handbook H27, recently released by the Department of Commerce.

Copies of H27 are available from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C., at 10 cents each.

Federal Specifications for Plastics Sought

Increased use of plastics by Government Agencies and the armed forces of the nation has led to the desirability of Federal specifications for such products to simplify purchasing procedure. A technical committee is now being formed for the purpose.

Surplus Foods Designated for June

Surplus foods obtainable at local stores during June in exchange for blue food stamps have been designated by the Department of Agriculture, as follows: fresh grapefruit, oranges, apples, cabbage, snap beans, Irish potatoes, raisins, pork lard, all pork (except that cooked or packed in metal or glass containers), corn meal, shell eggs, dried prunes, hominy (corn) grits, dry edible beans, wheat flour, and whole wheat (Graham) flour.

The Food Stamp Plan continues to be extended to new areas -- the latest announced being Allen, Auglaize, and Paulding Counties, Ohio, and Scott and Yazoo Counties, Miss.

Wheat and Wheat Flour Imports Restricted

The President recently proclaimed limitations on imports of wheat and wheat flour. This action was taken pursuant to a report by the United States Tariff Commission on an investigation instituted at the request of the President on December 14, 1939, under Section 22 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933 as amended.

The investigation was made to determine whether wheat and wheat products "are being or are practically certain to be imported under such conditions and in sufficient quantities as to render or tend to render ineffective or

In the past, imports of abrasives, chiefly from Canada, have exceeded the domestic output.

Coastwise Tonnage Transfers Discussed

Owners and operators of vessels engaged in the Atlantic and Gulf coastwise trade were recently invited to Washington by officials of the Maritime Commission to determine what tonnage is available for transfer to activities more essential to the National Defense Effort.

British Flyers to Train in United States

Schools of the United States Army Air Corps and eight civilian concerns will cooperate in a yearly program to train 8,000 Britons to become Royal Air Force combat pilots and navigators, the War Department recently

announced.

The civilian schools, all located in the Southeast Air Corps Training Center, are: Alabama Institute of Aeronautics, Inc., Municipal Airport, Tuscaloosa, Ala.; EmbryRiddle Co., Carlstrom Field, Arcadia, Fla.; Lincoln Flying School, Lakeland, Fla.; Darr Aero Tech., Inc., Albany, Ga.; Graham Aviation Company, Americus, Ga.; Southern Aviation School, Camden, S. C.; Chicago School of Aeronautics, Albany, Ga., and Lakeland, Fla.

New Flying School Sites Selected

Greenville, Miss. has been selected for the location of a new Air Corps Basic Flying School. It will be located about four and one-half miles north of Greenville on a site comprising approximately 1,925 acres.

A program of temporary construction will begin after plans have been made and approved and the necessary negotiations with contractors completed.

Another project involves facilities for training more than 1,000 flying cadets at 3 new flying schools, sites for which have been selected at Sumpter, S. C.; Moultrie, Ga.; and Lake Charles, La.

Industrial activity moved sharply upward in May, following the April decline. Those industries in which work stoppage the previous month had materially reduced output bituminous coal and automobiles - recovered strongly early in May; and with further expansion in defense lines, aggregate production advanced well above the March record.

The most substantial rise appeared in output of bituminous coal (the industry most affected by work stoppage in April).

Though automobile production usually is curtailed in May, the industry has worked at near record levels during the past month. About 555,000 units were produced, the highest monthly total since 1929. In the steel industry, output did not regain its former peak until the middle of May, after which it remained near 100 percent of capacity.

Freight carloadings rose to 866,000 in the week ending May 24, the highest for any week since 1930.

Power Demands at Record Levels

The electric power industry has experienced a sharp increase in demand. Output in the . latter part of May rose above 3 billion kilowatt hours, the highest on record (as indicated by the newly published series of the Edison Electric Institute, which adds certain governmental and industrial power generation not heretofore covered.)

Since March, power output has been running 16 percent ahead of last year. With heavy additional demand expected as newly constructed defense industries begin production, continued drought in the Southeast and New England is producing a situation wherein supply difficulties may be experienced in those areas before the year is out.

Farm Prices Advance in May

Stimulated by improved domestic demand and by Government purchases under the food-for-.

defense program, the index of prices received by farmers for their products in mid-May advanced 2 points to 112 percent of the 1910-14 level. The Department of Agriculture reports that this figure is 14 points above a year earlier and the highest level recorded since October 1937.

Prices of cotton and cottonseed gained 10 points during the month ended May 15, but other farm commodity prices advanced more moderately. Prices of grain, dairy products, and chickens and eggs averaged 3 points higher. Meat animal prices advanced 1 point. Fruit prices were steady.

In early June cross-currents in the agricultural situation were becoming apparent. One of importance was the higher prices, income, and costs in prospect this year and another was the anxiety over drought. The season started off well with crops and livestock in good condition, but the long dry spell in the east has seriously damaged pastures and reduced hay prospects. Latest reports indicate urgent need for rain practically everywhere east of the Mississippi River.

Commodity Price Movements in Week Ended May 24

Commodity prices in many wholesale markets continued to move upward sharply during the week ended May 24. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' index of nearly 900 price series rose 0.5 percent to a new high for the period since mid-October 1937. The tight shipping situation, congressional provision for higher crop loans, continued heavy demand, and speculation in commodity markets were largely responsible for the current widespread increase, it was stated. Marked advances were reported for hides and skins, grains, raw cotton and wool, petroleum products and oils and fats.

Petroleum Stocks on May 24

Stocks of domestic and foreign crude petroleum at the close of week ending May 24