Notes

Export Worry. The current excess of U. S. imports over exports ($130,000,000 the first quarter of this year) is causing needless worry, Dr. Julius Klein, director of the Department of Commerce bureau of foreign and domestic commerce, last week told New England foreign traders. He asserts that European financial recovery although it will strengthen competition for U. S. goods, will also enable the Europeans to buy in greater and greater quantities.

7-Hour day. Warner A. Wiebodt, owner of three Chicago department stores, noted that practically no business was done before 9:30 a. m., although clerks went on duty an hour before. Last week he decided on a business innovation--to open at 9:30 a. m., to close at 5:30 p. m. His employes will work only seven hours daily.

Floranada.

Last winter appeared an "elegant" Florida ad. Crested and sealed and flaunting many a name in the social register, even in the Almanack de Gotha, it heralded the establishment of the Floranada Club close to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. " . . . Background counts as much as money . . . society . . . has decided to have a new playground . . . impeccable social and financial powers" (TIME, Feb. 1). But such suggestions were not sufficient to make Floranada a financial success., Last week its backers, the American-British Improvement Corp. filed a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, claiming assets of $2,551,518.58, liabilities of $8,581,576.41.