Facts & Figures

No, Thank You. When Marriner Eccles, chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, was demoted, the President asked him to become vice chairman (TIME, Feb. 9). In four months the President never got around to making the actual appointment. Last week, considering the delay and "other developments," patient Mr. Eccles asked that the whole matter be dropped. He said he would continue as plain board member.

Foreign Issue. The World Bank sold its first issue of foreign currency bonds for $4,000,000 in Swiss francs to the Bank for International Settlements at Basel, Switzerland. The proceeds of the issue will be used to buy electrical equipment in Switzerland for The Netherlands, as part of a World Bank loan to the Dutch government.

Domestic Dilemma. Britain's Board of Trade reported that Great Britain is now exporting goods to the U.S. at a rate of $264,000,000 a year, up 60% over last year and 100% over the first quarter of this year. But Britain's total imports in April rose proportionately even more, pushing her adverse balance of trade for the month to $218,000,000, highest since last fall.

Move In. An estimated 1,200,000 veterans now have homes financed by G.I. loans, and the requests for loans were down 43% in April compared with April 1947. Other reasons for the decline: 1) loans are increasingly hard to get at 4% interest, the maximum under the veterans' law, and 2) high prices (the average veteran, said VA, earns approximately $2,800 a year, can afford no more than $6,000 for a home).

The First. The Federal Communications Commission prepared to receive its first woman member: blonde, 43-year-old Frieda B. Hennock, a Manhattan corporation lawyer, who was named last week by President Truman -to succeed Commissioner Clifford J. Durr, who resigned. (She still has to be confirmed by the Senate.) Polish-born, Bronx-bred Miss Hennock was the youngest woman (21) ever admitted to the New York bar. A graduate of Brooklyn Law School, she hopes to represent the women who "comprise radio's biggest audience."

Trustless Rails? The Senate passed and sent to the White House the Bulwinkle Bill to exempt railroads and other common carriers from antitrust prosecution in connection with agreements on rates (but not on services, facilities, etc.) which are approved by the Interstate Commerce Commission. President Truman is expected to veto the bill. Congressional backers of the bill think they can muster enough votes to override a veto.

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