Facts & Figures

Problem of Plenty. In its first crop forecast for 1949, the Department of Agriculture estimated that the winter wheat crop would be a near-record 964,808,000 bushels. That could mean a whopping surplus piled on top of this year's surplus. Although the Department had urged an 8% cut in winter wheat acreage, farmers (spurred by the price support law) had increased their acreage by 5%. It would cost taxpayers millions in support payments.

Four for One. E. I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co. announced that it would split its 11,158,207 shares of common stock 4 for 1 if stockholders approved. Though Du Pont kept mum on its reason for the split-up, brokers guessed it was to broaden the market for its stock, which has fluctuated widely on slim sales (day of the announcement Du Pont stock jumped 8 1/8 to 179 3/4). It would also give Du Pont more common shares than any other U.S. corporation.

Two of a Kind. Britain's 34,000-ton Caronia, biggest passenger liner built since the war, completed her last trial run before her maiden trip to New York next week. Honor guest was the Duke of Edinburgh, who cracked: "I'm sorry my wife can't be with me; as you know, we've had another launching in the meantime."

Offer to Sell. 20th Century-Fox Film Corp. voluntarily agreed to the first part of the Attorney General's suggestion on how moviemakers should divest themselves of part of their theater holdings (TIME, Oct.11). In a proposal filed with a New York federal court, 20th Century-Fox agreed to sell its interest in 260 partly owned theaters. Still to be determined was how many of its 460 wholly owned outlets the company would be allowed to keep.

K.C. to LA. T.W.A. said that it would soon start an inexpensive "skycoach" service between Kansas City and Los Angeles, if CAB approves. The one-way fare would be $59.50, one-third less than the present air fare and well under the Pullman cost ($77.30). Capital Airlines, which started a New York-Chicago "coach" service in November, has had to add extra flights to satisfy the demand.

Murfreesboro to Morgan. Henry C. Alexander, 46, was named to the new post of executive vice president of J. P. Morgan & Co., thus got in line to succeed 63-year-old President George Whitney. Born in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Wall Streeter Alexander graduated from Yale Law School with honors, made a name as a corporation lawyer before joining the famed banking house in 1939. He is an adviser to the Salvation Army, a trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and wearer of the Medal for Merit for his wartime work as vice chairman of the U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey.

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