Facts & Figures

Deflater. The Federal Reserve Board took another cautious step to curb inflation. It raised reserve requirements (i.e., the portion of demand deposits which cannot be used for loans) in New York and Chicago commercial banks from 20% to 22% beginning Feb. 27. In effect, an additional $500-odd million will be put into cold storage, thus shrinking credit. FRB is expected to raise reserve requirements gradually in the two big money centers to the present legal limit of 26%.

Inflater. Chicago's Leaf Brands, Inc. began marketing bubble gum in colors--red, yellow, blue. By chewing two or three pieces of "Rain-bio" at the same time, said the announcement, children will be able to blow bubbles "in all the delicious colors of the rainbow."

Second Look. In Manhattan's 71st Regiment armory, lingerie models gave buyers a peep at the industry's new look in lingerie. It was exciting enough to start wags chasing models (see cut). But the new taffeta ruffled petticoats (some designed to show an inch below dresses), teddies trimmed with a six-inch embroidered net design, and haremlike ankle-length pantaloons for sleeping were serious business to the lingerie industry. Thanks to them, it hoped to boost its sales up from 1947's record high of about $430 million.

Thunder-Stroock. "We're thunder-stroock but not conscience-stroock," punned Gimbels in a frozen-smile ad. The Manhattan department store had sold scores of coats which it had advertised as being 60% Stroock cashmere, then discovered that some of them were 59% camel's hair with counterfeit "Stroock" labels. With embarrassed apologies to its customers and Stroock ("We hope it won't happen again"), Gimbels offered to take them back.

Into the Black. The World Bank, which had lost money since it opened two years ago, finally climbed into the black. In the final quarter of 1947, the bank reported, income exceeded expenses by $1,317,610. The bank hoped to make up all past deficits by the end of March.

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