CASH DIVIDENDS rose to $2.822 billion in first quarter from $2.808 billion a year ago, but this was slowest gain since World War II.

WALTER REUTHER'S POWER as undisputed labor chief of auto industry may be challenged by skilled members of his United Auto Workers who have formed two splinter craft unions, aim to file in 200 plants to win bargaining rights and fatter raises and benefits than unskilled U.A.W. men. Automakers will side with Reuther to battle splinter groups, fear that small number of separately organized skilled workers could paralyze industry if they wanted to strike.

AVERAGE FAMILY INCOME in U.S. mounted to $6,130 before taxes last year, up from $5,910 in 1956, though rise in living costs cut gain almost entirely.

U.S.-SOVIET MOVIE SWAP will be made for first time since World War II. Hollywood plans to lease a dozen hits--Picnic, Oklahoma!, etc.--to U.S.S.R. for $50,000 to $100,000 each, get about six Russian films for showing in U.S., e.g., Swan Lake, Othello, Don Quixote.

SMALL-PLANE BOOM will lift industry to peak profits this year. In first quarter, Cessna Aircraft enjoyed most prosperous period in 31-year history, saw after-tax earnings jump 86% over a year ago to $1,586,000. Beech Aircraft's earnings climbed to $907,500 from $756,000 in last year's first quarter.

U. S. MISSILES will be produced in a foreign country for first time. Douglas Aircraft will license Canadian firms to produce its supersonic Sparrow II air-to-air missile. General Dynamics' Canadair Ltd. will make Sparrow's airframe, and Canadian Westinghouse will turn out guidance system.

MARGARINE topped butter for first time last year. U.S. consumed 8.6 lbs. of margarine per capita v. 8.5 Ibs. of butter. In 1935, spread was 17.1 Ibs. for butter, only 3 lbs. for oleo.

McCANN-ERICKSON, which captured G.M.'s $24 million Buick ad account (TIME, Feb. 24), will also get company's $3,000,000 G.M.C. truck and motor coach billings. Detroit's Campbell-Ewald agency is favored to hook G.M.'s still-open Frigidaire account.

EXPORT-HUNGRY CANADA, hoping to ease wheat glut and dependence on U.S. trade, will make hard sales pitch to Red China. Canada recently closed first big wheat deal (1,700,000 million bu.) with Red China since Korean war, now wants to step up sales of lumber and chemicals, boost exports to China above the $55 million yearly level attained during pre-Communist days.

MOVE INTO TEXTILES is being considered by fast-growing Chas. Pfizer drug house (1957 sales: $207 million). Pfizer has option to buy Virginia-Carolina Chemical Corp.'s division making Vicara, a cashmere-like synthetic that has been a flop so far because it weakens when washed. Before deciding whether to buy, Pfizer will conduct major research to see if Vicara can be improved.

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