CASH DIVIDENDS reported by U.S. corporations in 1959 climbed to alltime peak of $12.7 billion, up from $11.9 billion a year earlier. Increases of 10% or more came in chemicals, communications and finance.

AUSTRALIAN BOOM will get fresh fuel from Shell's $50 million refinery expansion near Sydney. By 1963, the Shell gasoline plant will be capable of turning out 250 million gal. yearly, 25% of Australia's needs.

STEEL PRICE RISE is hinted by Chairman Roger Blough of U.S. Steel Corp. in denying reports that he promised Vice President Nixon to delay boost until after election. If it comes, rise will be less than the $8.50-a-ton increase in 1956. Blough figures new contract lifts employee costs by 3 3/4% v. 8% in 1956 pact, thus "the inflationary effect is half as great."

LIFT IN BEER raised per capita intake in 1959 for first time since 1948, as sales bubbled up 4.8% to record 89 million bbl. Average consumer drank 15.5 gal. v. 15 gal. in 1958. Top brewers (in bbl.):

Anheuser-Busch 8,030,000 (up 15%)

Schlitz 5,800,000 (down 1.6%)

Falstaff 4,700,000 (up 4.4%)

Pabst 4,675,000 (up 10%)

Carling 4,418,484 (up 25.1%)

COLOR BAR was erased by 200,000-member Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. Move leaves only one union in A.F.L.-C.I.O. with ban on Negroes: the 87,000-man Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen.

80-M.P.H. SHIP will be built by Grumman Aircraft under $1,500,000 contract from Maritime Administration, which calls it one of the most significant advances in marine transport in 50 years. Powered by gas turbine engine, the all-aluminum, 104-ft. ship will carry 100 passengers, ride on hydrofoils that lift entire hull out of water.

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