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80th Congress, 2d Session

Joint Committee Print

Economic Indicators
SEPTEMBER

1948

Prepared for the Joint Committee on the Economic Report
by the Council of Economic Advisers
and printed for the use of
the Joint Committee on the Economic Report

UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON : 1948
80772




JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE ECONOMIC REPORT
(Created pursuant to Sec. 5 (a) of Public Law 304, 79th Cong.)
ROBERT A. TAFT, Ohio, Chairman
JESSE P. WOLCOTT, Michigan, Vice Chairman
JOSEPH H. BALL, Minnesota
RALPH E. FLANDERS, Vermont
ARTHUR V. WATKINS, Utah
JOSEPH C. O'MAHONEY, Wyoming
FRANCIS J. MYERS, Pennsylvania
JOHN SPARKMAN, Alabama

GEORGE H. BENDER, Ohio
CHRISTIAN A. HERTER, Massachusetts
ROBERT F. RICH, Pennsylvania
EDWARD J. HART, New Jersey
WRIGHT PATMAN, Texas
WALTER B. HUBER, Ohio
CHARLES O. HARDYJ Staff Director
FRED E. BERQUIST, Assistant Staff Director
JOHN W. LEHMAN, Clerk
WILLIAM H. MOORE, Economist

To the Members of Congress:

From the time the Joint Committee on the Economic
Report was established, its members realized that one of
its basic needs was a concise and meaningful picture of
current economic trends and developments.
Fortunately, the Joint Committee finds that Economic
Indicators, a set of basic charts and tables compiled
monthly by the Council of Economic Advisers, admirably
fills this need. While this material was prepared primarily for the use of the President, the Council and other
officials in the executive offices, the Council has made it
available to the Joint Committee.
Other Members of Congress have also expressed an
interest in being able to obtain a quick picture of current
economic facts without having to go through voluminous and specialized documents. In addition,
businessmen, farm leaders, labor organizations, and representatives of the press and radio have indicated their
desire for this information. Since nothing contained

Digitized for11
FRASER


in these charts and tables is of a confidential nature they
have urged that the material be made available to the
general public.
Accordingly, the Joint Committee has for the past
several months provided the Congress and the public
with a limited number of copies of Economic Indicator
The response to these issues has indicated such widespread interest that the Committee has arranged to
release Economic Indicators each month as a committee
print until action can be taken on authorizing the pul>
lication on a more permanent basis.
Comments or suggestions with respect to possibl
improvements in this presentation will always I
welcome.

Chairman, Joint Committee on the Economic Report.

Letter of Transmitted
Hon. ROBERT A. TAFT, Chairman,
Joint Committee on the Economic Report,
United States Congress, Washington, D. C.

DEAR SENATOR: The Council of Economic Advisers is happy to cooperate with the
Joint Committee on the Economic Report in your plans to make Economic Indicators
available to the Congress as a whole and to the general public.
In carrying out its mandate under the Employment Act of 1946, the Council has
found it desirable to bring together in concise and graphic form the most important facts
showing current trends in the Nation's economy. Thus the Executive Office is in a better
position to point up the key problems of national economic policy and to promote the
improvement and coordination of the Federal Government's widespread statistical services.
We have realized, of course, that this material has a potential usefulness not only to
the President, the Council and the executive departments, but also to the Congress.
Furthermore, its usefulness to the general public has been impressed upon us, particularly
by the representatives of business, labor, agriculture, and consumer organizations with
whom we regularly consult.
We believe the Joint Committee will perform a service of real value by giving wide
circulation
to this material.
?
Sincerely yours,




Chairman.
Vice Chairman.

Qp

/

in

Contents
THE NATION'S ECONOMIC BUDGET

Page

The Nation's Economic Budget

1

PRICES
Consumers' Prices
Wholesale Prices
Prices Received and Paid by Farmers. . . .
Stock Prices

2
3
4
5

EMPLOYMENT
Labor Force
Nonagricultural Employment
Average Weekly Hours
Work Stoppages

:

6
7
8
9

PRODUCTION AND BUSINESS ACTIVITY
Industrial Production
Production of Selected Durable Manufactures
Production of Selected Nondurable Manufactures
New Construction
New Housing Starts
Expenditures for New Plant and Equipment
New Corporate Security Issues
Inventories and Sales
Exports and Imports

10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18

PURCHASING POWER
National Income
Corporate Profits
Personal Income
Consumer Income, Spending, and Saving
Per Capita Income
Average Hourly Earnings
Average Weekly Earnings
Farm Income
Personal Consumption Expenditures
Consumer Credit

19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28

MONEY, BANKING, AND FEDERAL FINANCE
Bank Loans and Investments
Money Supply
Federal Cash Receipts From and Payments to the Public

Digitized IV
for FRASER


29
30
31

THE NATION'S ECONOMIC BUDGET
THE NATION'S ECONOMIC BUDGET
Consumer saving and the Government surplus increased between
1947 and first half of 1948, also ; the excess of business and
foreign investment increased.
EXCESS OF
EXPENDITURES (-), RECEIPTS (+)
- '
0
+

1948, FIRST HALF (BILLIONS OF DOLLARS) *
CONSUMERS

EXPENDITURES

CONSUMER
SAVING

185.5

INCOME
'///f/s

173.5

BUSINESS
21.5

EXCESS OF
INVESTMENT

37.8

INTERNATIONAL

i

EXCESS OF
INVESTMENT

GOVERNMENT
CASH
SURPLUS

64.0

1947, CALENDAR Y E A R * (BILLIONS OF DOLLARS)
CONSUMERS
INCOME
//////,
EXPENDITURES

CONSUMER
SAVING

173.6
164.8

BUSINESS
19.4

EXCESS OF
INVESTMENT

30.0

INTERNATIONAL
EXCESS OF
INVESTMENT

1

8.9

GOVERNMENT
59.9

CASH
SURPLUS

53.2
* A NNUA L PA TES, SEA SON A LLY ADJUSTED.
NOTE: THE COMPONENTS DO NOT ADD TO THE GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT BECAUSE OF CERTAIN ADJUSTMENTS.
SEE MIDYEAR ECONOMIC REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT, JULY 1948, APPENDIX A\

SOURCE: SEE MIDYEAR ECONOMIC REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT, JULY 1948, APPENDIX A.



PRICES
CONSUMERS' PRICES
Food prices advanced further in July, thus pushing consumers' prices to new highs.
prices showed little change.

Other retail
P E R C E N T OF 1935-39 AVERAGE

PERCENT OF 1935-39 AVERAGE

225

225

200

200 -

175

150

125

- 125

100

100

75 I i • I < i I - . 1 i - I ' i I < i I . . I . . I . . I . . I i i I . . I . . I . , 1 i . 1 . . 1 . . I . . 1 . . 1 i . 1 i . I . , 1 . . I . . 1 . . 1 . . I . . 1 . . 1 . . I i . I i i I . . I . . I . . I . i I i . 1 . . I i . I i i h . I TK
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
* ALSO INCLUDES HOUSEFURNISHINGS, FUEL, ELECTRICITY^ ICE,
SOURCE: DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.




AND, MISCELLANEOUS GOODS AND SERVICES, NOT SHOWN ON CHART.

[1935-39=100]
All items l

Period
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947

monthly average
monthly average
monthly average
monthly average. _
monthly average
monthly average.. _
monthly average
monthly average
monthly average

... . ^

Food

Clothing

Rent

99.4
100. 2
105.2
116.5
123. 6
125.5
128.4
139. 3
159.2

95.2
96.6
105.5
123.9
138.0
136. 1
139. 1
159.6.
193.8

100.5
101.7
106.3
124.2
129.7
138.8
145.9
160. 2
185.8

104.3
104.6
106.2
108.5
108.0
108. 2
108.3
108.6
111.2

1947: June
July
August.
September
October
November
December

157. 1
158.4
160.3
163.8
163. 8
164. 9
167.0

190.5
193. 1
196.5
203.5
201.6
202.7
206.9

185.7
184.7
185.9
187.6
189.0
190.2
191.2

109.2
110.0
111.2
113. 6
114.9
115.2
115.4

1948; January
February.
March
April....
May
June
July

168.8
167.5
166.9
169.3
170.5
171.7
173. 7

209.7
204.7
202.3
207.9
210.9
214. 1
216.8

192. 1
195. 1
196.3
196.4
197.5
196.9
197. 1

115. 9
116.0
116.3
116.3
116.7
117.0
117. 3

1

__

_

.

Also includes housefurnishings, fuel, electricity, ice, and miscellaneous goods and services.
NOTE.—Prices are for moderate-income families in large cities.
Source: Department of Labor.

WHOLESALE PRICES
Wholesale prices, after advancing to new all-time highs, have fluctuated around that level for several
weeks. Farm and food prices showed a downward trend while other prices continued their creeping
advance.
PERCENT OF 1926 AVERAGE

PERCENT OF 1926 AVERAGE

220

220

200

200

180

160

140

....-• \
OTHER THAN FARM AND FOODS

120

I 00

100

SOURCE? DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

[1926=100]
All commodities

Week ended—
1946: Jan. 5...
June 29
Sept. 28..
Dec. 28
1947: Mar. 29. _.
June 28
Sept. 27
Dec. 27
1948: Jan. 17
Feb. 14
Mar. 20
Apr. 17
May 29....
June 5
12
19.
26
July 3
10
17
24
31
Aug. 7
14
21
28

_

__

^

1

-

_

.

-.
._
_

_

_

Source: Department of Labor.



_

106. 8
112.7
124.4
139.6
149. 4
147.6
156. 2
163.0
165.5
159.7
161.5
162.9
164.4
164.2
164.9
165. 3
166. 7
166.7
166.8
168.9
168.2
168.3
169.2
169.0
169.2
168.4

Farm
products
131.3
140. 3
156. 6
167.7
183.8
179. 0
184.7
197.0
201.5
180.9
187.6
189.2
193.0
192.4
193.5
194. 5
198.4
197.2
196. 1
198.1
194. 6
192.2
193. 6
190.4
191.0
189. 3

Foods
108.0
113.4
133.0
159. 1
166.5
162.2
177.6
177.8
181.2
173.3
176.4
178.8
178. 0
178.0
180. 1
180.7
183.0
184. 1
185.3
191.2
190.4
187.7
190.0
190. 3
185.9
187. 8

Other than
farm and
foods
100.6
105.4
112.4
123.9
131.9
132.0
138.2
146.0
147.4
147. 5
147. 3
148.3
149.3
149.3
149. 3
149. 5
149.9
149.8
149.9
150.4
150. 6
152. 1
152.4
152. 9
153. 1
153. 2

PRICES RECEIVED AND PAID BY FARMERS
Prices received in Aug. fell 3 percent, reflecting a decrease in the prices of most crops.
Prices paid by farmers remained stable.
PERCENT OF 1910-14 AVERAGE
350

PERCENT OF 1910-14 AVERAGE
350
MONTHLY AVERAGE

300

300

250'

250

200

200
PRICES PAID
(INCL. INTEREST, TAXES)

150

150

100

100

PARITY RATIO

50

50

1 1 1 1 t

1939

40

41

42

43

44

i

1

1 1 1 1

1 1

1 1

J . F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D

45

1946

1947

1948

SOURCE; DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.




COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC A D V I S E R S

[1910-14=100]
Prices paid by
Prices
(includreceived farmers
interest Parity ratio *
by farmers * ing
and taxes)

Period
1939 monthly average
1940 monthly average
1941 monthly average
1942 monthly average
1 943 monthly average
1944 monthly average
1945 monthly average
1946 monthly average
1947 monthly average
1947: June.
July...
August.
September
October
November
December
1948: January
February...
March
April
May
June
_
July
August..,.
.

Z^fcTZ » • < M+'

1
8

_

.
__ _ _
_
..
__ .

..

.

95
100
124
159
192
195
202
233
278

124
125
132
150
162
169
172
193
231

77
80
94
106
119
115
117
121
120

271
276
276
286
289
287
301

230
230
234
238
239
241
245

118
120
118
120
121
119
123

307
279
283
291
289
295
301
293

251
248
247
249
250
251
251
251

122
112
115
117
116
118
120
117

August 1909-July 1914=100.
Ratio of prices received to prices paid, interest, and taxes.
Source: Department of Agriculture.

STOCK PRICES
Stock prices continued their downward trend in August. Security markets were

sluggish.

PERCENT OF 1 9 3 5 - 3 9 AVERAGE
175
MONTHLY AVERAGE

PERCENT OF 1935-39 AVERAGE
175

I 50

150

125

125

100

100

75

50

1939

40

41

42

44

43

J F

45

M

A M

J

J

1946
SOURCE :

STANDARD

AND POOR'S

CORPORATION.

COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC A D V I S E R S

[1935-39 = 100]
Combined
index 1

Period
1939 monthly average
1940 monthly average
1941 monthly average
1942 monthly average
1943 monthly average
1944 monthly average
1945 monthly average
1946 monthly average
1947 monthly average
1947: June
July
August
September
October
November
December
1948: January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August

-

-

—

94.2
88. 1
80.0
69.4
91.9
99. 8
121.5
139.9
123.0
119. 1
126.0
124.5
123. 1
125. 1
123.6
122.4
120.1
114.2
116.4
124.6
130.2
135. 1
131.9
127. 1

Industrials l

94.8
87.9
80.4
71.3
94.1
101.7
123.3
143.4
128.0
124. 1
131.7
130.2
128.4
131. 1
130.3
129.2
126.0
119.2
121.8
130.8
136.9
142.7
138.9
133.5

Railroads *

74.7
71. 1
70.6
66. 1
88.7
101.0
136.9
143.0
105.3
97.6
108.2
105.2
103.6
104.2
100. 1
103.9
106.5
101.9
105.2
115.2
122.6
125. 6
124.7
119.7

Utilities *

98.6
95.8
81.0
61.3
82.1
89.9
106.1
120.2
102.9
100.8
102*2
101.4
102.0
101.0
97.2
94.0
95.1
92.6
93.0
96.2
99.2
100.6
99.1
97.3

1
Combined index prior to June 23, 1948, was based on 402 common stocks, and included 354 industrials,
20 railroads, and 28 utilities; thereafter, 416 common stocks are represented, with 365 industrials, 20 railroads,
and 31 utilities.
Source: Standard & Poor's Corp.

80772—48
2



EMPLOYMENT
LABOR FORCE
Civilian employment remained above 61 million in July as a large number of youths entering the summer
labor market were absorbed by agriculture and industry. Due primarily to vacations, the number employed
but not at work increased greatly. Unemployment continued at a low level.
75

— MILLIONS OF PERSONS

50

25

25

MONTHLY A V E R A G E

J

F M ' A M J

J

A

S

0

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A. SON

D O

F

M_ A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

UNEM PLO YEC

i—i E 1
1941
SOURCE:

1944

1945

..L

t

1

1946

1

\

1

I

I

\ } \ } } \ i i {..MS...! * * t L..'.'I 1.. i i i i i I o

I

1947

1946

1948

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.




COUNCIL

[Thousands of persons 14 years of age and over]
Total labor
force, including
armed
forces

Period

1941 monthly
1944 monthly
1945 monthly
1946 monthly
1947 monthly

average
average. __
average
average...
average

1947: June
July
August
September.
October.
November
December
1948: January.
February
March
April
May
June
July...
August l
1

_
_

C] vilian employ*3d

Total

In nonagricultural
industries

In agri-

Armed
forces

Unemployed

57,
65,
65,
60,
61,

380
890
140
820
608

50, 350
53, 960
52, 820
55, 250
58, 027

41,
45,
44,
46,
49,

250
010
240
930
761

9, 100
8,950
8,580
8,320
8,266

1,470
11, 260
11, 280
3,300
1,440

5,560
670
1,040
2,270
2, 141

64,
64,
63,
62,
62,
61,
60,

007
035
017
130
219
510
870

60,
60,
59,
58,
59,
58,
57,

49,
50,
50,
50,
50,
50,
50,

678
013
594
145
583
609
985

10, 377
10, 066
8,975
8,727
8,622
7,985
6,962

1,398
1,371
1,352
1,346
1,327
1,294
1,280

2,555
2,584
2,096
1,912
1,687
1,621
1,643

50, 089
50, 368
50, 482
50, 883
50, 800
51, 899
52, 452
52, 801

7, 060
6, 771
6, 847
7,448
7,861
9,396
9,163
8,444

1, 242
1, 226
1,236
1,237
1,238
1,260
1,293
1, 325

2,065
2,639
2, 440
2, 193
1,761
2,184
2,227
1,941

60, 455
61, 004
61, 005
61, 760
61, 660
64, 740
65, 135
64, 511

055
079
569
872
204
595
947

57, 149
57, 139
57, 329
58, 330
58, 660
61, 296
61, 615
61, 245

Data became available after chart was prepared.
NOTE.—Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of rounding.
Source: Department of Commerce.

OF ECONOMIC AOVI

NONAGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT
Nonagricultural

employment continued at peak levels in July.
MILLIONS OF EMPLOYEES

MILLIONS OF EMPLOYEES

60

60

30

®mmFEDERAL,
STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT:;•:•:
•WrWS&Wft:^

20

I0

I0

1939
*

1941

1944

1945

SEE TABLE, FOOTNOTE I.

SOURCE:

COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC A D V I S E R S

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

[Thousands of employees]
Total wage
and salary
workers l

Period
1939 monthly average
1941 monthly average
1944 monthly average
1945 monthly average
1946 monthly average
1947 monthly average
1947: June
July
. ___
August
September
October
November
December
1948 : January
February
March
April
May
June
July 2

-_

_
---- --

30, 287
36, 164
41, 480
40, 069
41, 494
43, 970
43, 816
43, 686
44, 125
44, 513
44, 758
44, 918
45, 618
44, 603
44, 279
44, 599
44, 295
44, 626
45, 046
45, 059

Manufacturing
10, 078
12, 974
17, 111
15, 302
14, 515
15, 901
15, 672
15, 580
15, 962
16, 175
16, 209
16, 256
16, 354
16, 267
16, 183
16, 269
15, 945
15, 604
16, 161
16, 181

Trade
6,705
7,567
7,399
7,685
8,820
9, 450
9,324
9, 316
9,356
9, 471
9, 684
9,886
10, 288
9,622
9, 520
9,599
9,574
9,617
9,671
9,638

Federal,
State, and
local government
3,987
4,622
6, 026
5,967
5,607
5,450
5,454
5, 341
5,318
5,403
5,414
5,387
5, 638
5,498
5,492
5,546
5,577
5, 624
5,607
5,596

Other
9,517
11,001
10, 944
11, 115
12, 552
13, 170
13, 366
13, 449
13, 489
13, 464
13, 451
13,389
13, 338
13, 216
13, 084
13, 185
13, 202
13, 481
13, 607
13, 644

- Includes all full- and part-time wage and salary workers in nonagricultural establishments who worked or
received pay during the pay period ending nearest the 15th of the month. Excludes proprietors, self-employed
persons, domestic servants, and personnel of the armed forces. Not comparable with estimates of nonagricultural employment of the civilian labor force reported by the Department of Commerce (p. 6) which include
proprietors, self-employed persons, and domestic servants; which count persons as employed when they are not
at work because of industrial disputes; and which are based on an enumeration of population, whereas the estimates
in this table are based on reports from employing establishments.
2
Preliminary estimate.
Source: Department of Labor.




I ;i?jBL(3E W EEKLY HOUR15

/ \f E

Tlie we>rl<W<36K in manufactur ing and mos>t nonmanufcacturing iiid ust rieIS (3P 0)dmated 40 hours in
P'
Ju n<*, Vvit h pr<•Hi m inary data indicating o small decnBase in VJu ly 1fo r ITia nu fcacturing inclustries.
HOUF s PE

HOUFIS PEF? \VEE K

\\

VEE:K

A LL. N4A,N UFACTURINi3 INDUSTRI ES

B IT UMINOUS CO AL MINING

50

50

N OK IHl.Y

ftVE

'TT~
-v
4f- -If

RA 3E

%^
/I

F!tt

»wn*

40

40

m

30

30

20

20

1 0

1 0
i

* 1111 111111 1 11 11 111 ' '' 1 11111 11 111

0
93 9 41

44

PF*IVAlFE
50

MON THL Y t

1946

45

1947

n

V

1 1 1 11 1 1 1 1 11 ,,,,.!,,,..

0
939 41

1948

/X IS

44

1946

45

BUILDING CONSTRUCT!noN

i i i i i 1 i i i tt

1947

1948

RETAIL T RADE
50

VER AGE

•PI

40

40

x—+•
30

30

20

20

10

10

0

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1i i 1 1 11 111 i11

;:;•

IS33S 41

44

45

1947

1946

I1 1 11 1 1 1 1 11
1948

0

F^H

r*i

— •"~^.i

44

45

1946

"^ 11!.•*•.*»

,,,,,, ,,,,,l,i,,.
I93*3

41

1947

1948

<SO'JRC,E : C EP ART MEN T OF LABOR

8 FRASER
Digitized for


[Hours per week, selected industries]
All manufacturing
industries

Period

1939
1941
1944
1945
1946
1947

monthly average
monthly average
monthly average
monthly average
monthly average
monthly average

1947: June
July
August
September
October
November..
December
1948: January
February
March
April
May
June 3
July*..
1
?
8

.
. .

_
__

;

„

Bituminous
coal mining

Private
building 1
construction

Retail trade

37.7
40.6
45.2
43.4
40.4
40.3

27. 1
31. 1
43.4
42.3
41.6
40.7

32.6
34.8
39. 6
39.0
38. 1
37.8

43.0
42.5
40.3
40.3
40.5
40.2

40.2
39.8
39.8
40.4
40.6
40.4
41.2

43.7
31.8
39. 1
39. 1
39.9
38.5
41.2

37.7
37.9
39.7
38.0
38.0
36.6
37.9

40.8
41. 1
41.0
40.0
40.0
39. 5
39.7

40.5
40.2
40.4
40. 1
39.9
40. 2
39.8

40.9
38.7
40. 6
27.0
40.3
40.3

37.2
36.7
37. 1
37.0
37. 1
37. 9

39.8
40.0
39. 8
39.8
39. 9
40. 3

2

Covers only employees at the site of privately financed building projects.
Based on pay period during coal stoppage.
Preliminary estimate.
Source: Department of Labor.

1 I 1 1 I |j I 1 1 1

WORK STOPPAGES
About 2 million workdays were lost in July because of work stoppages. This represents only a
slight increase over the June loss.
MILLIONS OF MAN-DAYS IDLE

MILLIONS OF MAN-DAYS IDLE

25

25

20

15

10

10
PEAK MONTH

\

1939 40

41 42

43

44

45

J F M A M J

J

A S

1946

* PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE.

SOURCE: DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

COUNCIL-OF ECONOMIC ADVISERS

Man-days
idle
(thousands)

Period
1939: Monthly average
April*—peak month
1940: Monthly average
1941: Monthly average
April—peak month
1942: Monthly average
1943: Monthly average
J une—peak month
1944: Monthly average
1945: Monthly average.
October—peak month
1946: Monthly average
1947: Monthly average
1947: June
July
August
—
September
October
November
December
1948: January
February
March
April
May
June 1
July
—.


Preliminary estimate.

1,484
4,902

Principal stoppage

Coal.

559

1,921
7,113

Coal.

349

1,125
4,699

Coal.

727

-

3,168
8,610
9,672
2,908
4,000
4,000
2,500
2,000
1,900

700
500

1,000
725
6,000
8,000
4, 100
2,000
2,200

Source: Department of Labor.

Coal.

Coal, meat packing.
Coal, meat packing.

PRODUCTION AND BUSINESS ACTIVITY
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION
Industrial production increased about 2 percent in August, thus regaining most of the loss in July
when there were many plant-wide vacations.

PERCENT OF 1935-39 AVERAGE
Points in Total Index

250

250

200

200

150

150

100

100

50

1935-39
AVERAGE

1943
AVERAGE

1945
AVERAGE

A

M

J

J

1946
* PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE
SOURCE: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve S y s t e m

[1935-39 = 100, seasonally adjusted]
Point 3 in total inclex,
1935-39 a^rerage for total=100

Inde^ces, 1935-39=100
Period

Mining

100
176
166
165
172
168
163
169
172
176
179
173
178
180
177
177
178
178
171
176

100
132
137
134
149
148
140
150
153
155
155
156
154
155
142
147
162
159
154
160

1935-39 monthly average!
1943 monthly average...
1945 monthly average...
1946 monthly average
1947 monthly average
1947: June.
July
August
September
October
November „
December
1948: January
February
March.
April
May
June
July i l
August

10




ManufcEictures

Manufact ures
Total
industrial
Nonduraproduction Total Durable
goods ble goods

Preliminary estimate.

100
239
203
170
187
184
176
182
187
190
192
192
193
194
191
188
191
192
187
191

100
258
214
177
194
191
183
188
192
197
199
198
200
201
200
195
197
198
193
197

100
360
274
192
220
219
207
210
217
223
224
229
229
226
229
217
220
222
219
222

Durable
goods
38
136
104
73
83
83
79
80
83
84
85
87
87
86
87
82
83
84
83
84

Nondurable goods
47
83
78
77
81
79
76
79
80
83
84
81
83
84
83
83
83
84
80
83

Source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

Mining
15
20
21
21
23
23
21
23
23
24
24
24
23
24
22
22
25
24
24
24

PRODUCTION OF SELECTED DURABLE
MANUFACTURES
Production of transportation equipment in July increased more than 5 percent above the June rate as the
number of passenger cars and trucks assembled reached a new postwar peak. Lumber production
increased more than seasonally. The output of iron and steel decreased about 3 percent.
PERCENT OF 1935- 39 A V E R A G E

PERCENT OF 1935-39 A V E R A G E

TRANSPORTATION

EQUIPMENT

LUMBER AND PRODUCTS

800

400
MONTHLY AVERAGE

700

300

600

200

500

100

400

300

300

200

200

100

100

1935-39 1943 1945

1946

1947

1948

1935-39 1943 1945

1946

1947

1948

1935-39 1943 1945

1946

1947

1948

SOURCE: BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM.

[1935-39=100, seasonally adjusted]
Transportation
equipment

Period

._

1947: June
July.
August
September
October
November.December
1948: January
February
March
April
May
June
July *
1

-

-—
-

_.

'•

Preliminary estimate.
Source: Board of Governors of the Federal^Reserve System.




100
208
183
150

230

144

195

233
217
213

142
133
142

193
181
188

234
243

150
153

227
232

244
232
240

-

Iron and steel

100
130
110
130

100
734
487
232

1935-39 monthly average.
1943 monthly average..
1945 monthly average
1946 monthly average
1947 monthly average

Lumber and
products

237
218
223
235

140
143

195
204

156
150
151

203
203
207

145
142
140
143

202
205

177
207
207
201

PRODUCTION OF SELECTED NONDURABLE
MANUFACTURES
The July output of textile industries was about 9 percent below the June level. The output of
most other nondurable industries continued steady.
PERCENT OF 1935-39 AVERAGE

PERCENT OF 1935-39 AVERAGE

TEXTILES AND PRODUCTS
300

PETROLEUM AND COAL PRODUCTS
300

MONTHLY AVERAGE

200

200

100

100

1935-39

43

45

1946

1947

1935-39

1948

43

1947

1948

CHEMICAL PRODUCTS

IVIA NlIR&CTURED FO OD PRODUC TS
400
MC>NTHU AV

1946

45

400

:R« 6E

300

300

200

200
tn
—

100

I 00

i M i i 1 1 1 1 1 i , , , , , ) , . , , , ,, , , , ! , , , , ,
1935-39

43

45

1946

1947

1935-39

1948

43

1946

45

1947

1948

COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISERS

SOURCE: BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM.

[1935-39=100, seasonally adjusted]
Textiles and
products

Period

1935-39 monthly average
1943 monthly average
1945 monthly average
1946 monthly average
1947 monthly average
1947: June
July
August
September
October
November
December
1948: January
February _
March
April
May
June.
July i
1

._
:

_

„

_

_

_

12

Manufactured food
products

Chemical
products

100
153
146
162
163

100
185
235
173
193

100
145
151
150
157

100
384
284
236
251

155
142
154
160
164
172
163

191
195
201
203
204
205
208

154
155
157
158
156
158
157

250
251
249
248
248
251
255

178
179
175
174
176
172
157

214
214
211
213
220
221
220

158
160
159
158
159
164
163

255
252
250
249
249
256
255

Preliminary estimate.
Source: Board of Gpvernors of the Federal Reserve System,



Petroleum
and coal
products

NEW CONSTRUCTION
Construction of $ 1.8 billion in August exceeded the previous postwar record volume reached
in July.
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS

MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
2,000

2,000
MONTHLY AVERAGE

TOTAL
NEW CONSTRUCTION
1,500

1,500

i FEDERALii

ESTATE, AND!
LOCAL*:ii!

1,000

1,000

OTHER PRIVATE
500

-

;-

500

RESIDENTIAL NONFARM

1939 1942 1944 1945 1946 1947

J

F M A M J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

COUNCIL

OF

A

S

O

N

O

INCLUDES PUBLIC RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION
SOURCE: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

ECONOMIC ADVISERS

] Millions of dollars]
Private construction

Total new
construction

Period

1939 monthly average
1942 monthly average
1944 monthly average
1945 monthly average
1946 monthly average
1947 monthly average
1947: June
July..
August
September
October
November
December
1948 : January
February
March
April
May
June__
_ _ _ _
July 2
August
1

__

__

526
1,118
345
401
871
1, 165
1, 162
1,264
1,364
1,423
1,497
1,432
1,320
1, 157
1,009
1, 166
1,311
1,461
1,616
1,719
1,785

Total
private

Residential
(nonfarm)

317
251
152
226
688
908
885
966
1,042
1, 086
1, 129
1, 141
1,097
948
837
940
1,024
1, 120
1,235
1,320
1,355

Includes public residential construction.
Preliminary estimate.
NOTE.—Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of rounding.
Sources: Department of Commerce and Department of Labor.




176
110
45
57
265
438
405
455
500
540
590
630
610
500
400
475
525
585
635
675
690

OtVuvn

141
141
107
169
422
469
480
511
542
546
539
511
487
448
437
466
499
535
600
645
665

Federal,
State, and
local *

208
867
193
174
184
257
277
298
322
337
368
291
223
209
172
226
287
341
381
399
430

13

NEW HOUSING STARTS
The number of new houses started in July was 2,000 below the June number, but 13,000
above that of a year ago.
THOUSANDS

THOUSANDS OF UNITS

UNITS

40

- 40

20

- 20

•H- NEW NONFARM FAMILY DWELLING UNITS.
SOURCE:

DEPARTMENT

OF

LABOR.

New nonfarm units (conveiJ itional and
prefabricated)

Period

Total
1946 monthly average
1947 monthly average
1947: January
February.
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
1 948 : January.
February
March
April
May
June
July
1

__

_

__>_

_ _

....
_

..
_.

_

Urban

Rural nonfarm

64, 683
71, 125

41, 164
40, 125

23, 520
31, 000

39, 300
42, 800
56, 700
67, 900
73, 100
79, 400
81, 100
86, 800
93, 800
94, 000
79, 800
58, 800

24, 200
25, 000
32, 300
38, 000
39, 300
43, 000
44, 500
47, 400
50, 300
53, 200
48, 000
36, 300

15, 100
17, 800
24, 400
29, 900
33, 800
36, 400
36, 600
39, 400
43, 500
40, 800
31, 800
22, 500

50, 000
47, 200
70, 000
92, 000
97, 000
96, 000
94, 000

30, 400
28, 800
41, 800
54, 300
56, 400
52, 900
53, 000

19, 600
18, 400
28, 200
37, 700
40, 600
43, 100
41, 000

New nonfarn* family dwelling units. Temporary units are excluded after 1947 when the program ended.
NOTE.—Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of rounding.
Source: Department of Labor.



14

OF

100

100

EXPENDITURES FOR NEW PLANT
AND EQUIPMENT
Plans of nonagricultural business for spending $18.3 billion (annual rate) on new plant and equipment
in 3rd quarter 1948, are at about the same level as 2nd quarter, and $1.7 billion more than actual expenditures
a year ago. The anticipated increase over a year ago reflects mainly the upward movement of prices.
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS

BILLIONS OF DOLLARS
25

25
ANN UAL TOTALS

20

15

TRANSPORTATION AND
ELECTRIC AND GAS
::::
''^

10

MANUFACTURING
AND
MINING

1939
*

1945

1941

NOT ADJUSTED FOR SEASONAL

VARIATION.

SOURCES; SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AND DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.

[Millions of dollars, annual rates, not adjusted for seasonal]
Transp ortation
Total i

Period

Manufacturing

Mining
Railroad

1939
1941
1945
1946
1947

1947: First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
1948: First quarter 8
Second quarter
Third quarter 3

._

Electric and Commercial
gas utilities and miscel-

Other

5,200
8, 190
6,630
12, 040
16, 180

1,930
3,400
3,210
5, 910
7,460

380
680
440
560
690

280
560
550
570
910

280
340
320
660
800

480
710
630

1,040
1,900

1,850
2,490
1,480
3,300
4,430

12, 640
15, 760
16, 560
19, 760

5,800
7,400
7,480
9,160

600
640
720
840

640
880
920

1,200

720
920
800
760

1,320
1,800
2,000
2,480

3,600
4,120
4,640
5,360

16, 680
18, 760
18, 280

7,200
8,040
7,400

720
720
720

1,080
1,400
1,520

720
840
680

2,000
2,440
2,600

4,960
5,320
5,360

1
2
3

Excludes agriculture.
Includes trade, service, finance, and communication.
Estimates based on anticipated capital expenditures of business.
NOTE.—These figures do not agree with the totals included in the gross national product estimates of the Department of Commerce, principally because the latter cover agricultural investment and also certain equipment and construction outlays charged to
current expense. Figures for 1939-44 are Federal Reserve Board estimates based on Securities and Exchange Commission and other
data.
Detail will not necessarily add to totals because annual rates are based on quarterly figures rounded to the nearest 10,000,000.
Sources: Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Commerce (except as noted).



15

NEW CORPORATE SECURITY ISSUES
New issues in 2nd quarter 1948 were slightly higher than in the previous quarter. The proportion of
proceeds earmarked for plant and equipment continued to increase.
BILLIONS

BILLIONS OF DOLLARS

OF DOLLARS

3.0

3 .0
QUARTERLY

AVERAGE

2.5

2.5

2.0

2.0

1.5

1.0

.5

1939

SOURCE:

1943

1945

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE C O M M I S S I O N .

[Millions of dollars]
1Droposed uses of net proceed 3

Estimated
net proceeds

Period

New money
Total

1939 quarterly
1943 quarterly
1945 quarterly
1946 quarterly
1947 quarterly

average..
average
average
average „
average

__

1

529
287

1,476
1,689
1,528

1947: First quarter. __
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
1948: First quarter
Second quarter

.

__ _

16

Working
capital

81
77
270
820

39
42
111
291
261

1,206

1,068

43
35
159
529
806

673
932
797

396
636
649

278
296
148
325

344
672
469
354

845

555
274

214
309

1,018
1,605
1,266
2,223

1,867

1,542

1, 614
1,663

1,400
1,353

1,080

Includes small amount for other purposes.
NOTE.—Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of rounding.
Source: Securities and Exchange Commission.




Plant and
equipment

Retirement
of debt and
stock l

448
210

869
460

1

INVENT OKIES 1IND SAILiES

1Manufacturing

sa les in July were 10 percent below June b ecause of plant-wide vacations in many
Depar tment store sales showed a slight increa se.

i ndustries.
BILL IONS

OF DOLLARS

BILL IONS OF DOLLARS

WHOLESALE

MANUFACTURING
30

30

NOT ADJUSTED FOR SEAS 3NAL VARIATION

*~\

^«.^*

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED

INVENTORIES*

+ ~'

20

20

yv<s-A^
—/7—S

^->^!!S—^^i
„ ^~^^
^

— *~

SALES*
x/^"*^

10

0

1

\

1 1 \

|

1 0

1 1 1 1 1

1 1 i 1I 1 I i I i i

i i i i i 1i i i i j

1947

1948

1946

BILL.IONS

11111111111 i* 111* 1 1111

0

1946

1 1

!

I !

1 1 1 1 1 1

1948

1947

PERCE NT OF 1935-39 AVERAGE

OF DOLLARS

RETAIL

DEPARTMENT STORE S

30

4OO
SEASONALLY ADJUSTED

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED

20

s~%***

SALES"*

300

^y^^/^s*^^^ /

\l--f\

INVENTORIES^
X^.» — «*..^— — *****"

r
' ' '""" **
1
S ALES*

1 0

X^~

200

INVENTORIES**

—-J-^X——-*'"'

0

!

1 1 1 I 1 I

1 1 1 1

'*'

i t i I i 1 i t i i i

I I 1 I I 1 t I 1 I 1

1947

1948

1946

1 00

i i 11 i i I i i 1 t

i i 1 1 .1 1 1 i I i I

1946

1947

x SALES ARE TOTAL FOR ¥ONTH AND INVENTORIES ARE BOOK VALUE, END OF MONTH.

Manufa< Bturing *
Sales <

1948

COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISER 5

Ret ail

Whol(jsale *
Inventories *

Sales

4

Inventories *

3

Departnujnt stores
Sales *

^

...

_

18, 775
19, 472
21, 502
23, 435
25, 398
25, 853
26, 440
26, 479
26, 846
27, 051
27, 055
27, 397
27, 627
28, 020
28, 501
28, 768
29, 064
29, 161
29, 437
29, 738
30,100

10, 712
11, 131
13, 055
14, 635
15, 546
15, 398
15, 048
15, 063
14, 361
15, 257
16, 597
18, 082
16, 554
17, 523
16,552
16, 225
18, 117
17, 229
16, 777
17, 866
16, 000

4,304
4,578
5,131
5,994
6,611
6, 778
6,737
6,864
6,726
6,886
6,997
6,943
7,349
7,577
7,618
7,754
8,054
8,049
8,071
8,239

9,691
10, 370
11, 402
13, 052
12, 627
12, 218
12, 369
12, 541
12, 403
12, 523
13, 263
13, 615
14, 333
13, 697
14, 096
13, 993
13, 426
13, 684
13, 847
13, 740

Inventories

Sales

1935-39=10 0, seasonally
ad jus ted«

Millions (Df dollars
1946: March......
June
September
December...
1947: March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
1948: January
February
March
April
May
June 0
July'....

1 1 1 I I ! 1 1

*K INDEXES COMPUTED FROM DATA ON RETAIL VALUE OF SALES FOf 7 MOUTH AND RETAIL
BOOK VALUE OF INVENTORIES, END OF MONTH

SOURCES: DEPARTMENT OF <COMMERCE AND BOARD OF 60 VERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RICSERVE SYS1PEM.

Period

1 1 f

8,023
8,917
9,995
11, 049
11, 832
11, 974
11, 772
11, 948
11, 925
11, 944
12, 073
12, 435
12, 621
12, 953
13, 384
13, 751
14, 040
13, 907
13, 951
14, 168

7,783
8, 101
8,811
9,205
9, 399
9,610
9,681
9,743
9,730
9,621
10, 162
10, 258
10, 485
10, 653
10, 445
10, 381
10, 565
10, 841
10, 599
10, 715

177
210
226
274
273
264
252
242
231
227
231
251
273
283
288
303
312
308
296
283

255
275
272
276
272
278
290
288
287
284
294
279
302
303
286
286
285
306
310
312
315

6
Indexes computed from data on retail value of sales for
month
and retail book value of inventories, end of month.
8
Preliminary estimate.
Sources: Department of Commerce and Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

1
Not adjusted
1

for seasonal variation.
Adjusted for seasonal variation.




8
4

Book value, end of month.
Total for month.

17

EXPORTS AND IMPORTS
Imports increased again in June. The value of exports continued down.

MILLIONS

OF

DOLLARS

MILLIONS

OF

DOLLARS

1,600

1,600

1,400

-

—

1,200

1,000

- 1,200

— 1,000

-

800

800

- 600

600 -

400

400

200 -

—

1936-38
*
RECORDED MERCHANDISE EXPORTS, INCLUDING REEXPORTS, AND CIVILIAN SUPPLIES. FOR OCCUPIED. AREAS
*X RECORDED GENERAL MERCHANDISE IMPORTS
SOURCES: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, AND DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

[Millions of dollars]
Period

Exports *

1936-38 monthly average
1943 monthly average
1945 monthly average
1946 monthly average
1947 monthly average
1947: May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

1948: January
February
March
April
May
June
Julys
1
Recorded
2
Recorded
3

'

^

Excess of
exports

877
849

1,281

207
282
346
409
478

40
798
531
440
803

1,503
1, 320
1, 265
1,265
1,183
1,303
1,195
1, 199

474
463
450
400
481
492
455
601

1,029

1,091
1,086
1,141
1,122
1, 103
1,013
1,022

546
582
666
527
549
616
559

545
504
475
595
554
397
463

247

1,080

.

Imports s

merchandise exports, including reexports, and civilian supplies for occupied areas,
general merchandise imports.
Data became available after chart was prepared.
Sources: Department of Commerce, Department of the Army, and Department of the Navy.

18

1,400




857
815
865
702
811
740
598

200

PURCHASING POWER
NATIONAL INCOME
National income increased very little in 2nd quarter, the only significant increase being in
business and professional income (part of proprietors' income as shown on the chart).
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS

BILLIONS OF DOLLARS

250

250

ANNUAL TOTALS

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED ANNUAL RATES

TOTAL NATIONAL
INCOME
200

200
CORPORATE PROFITS AND
INVENTORY VALUATION
ADJUSTMENT.

PROPRIETORS AND RENTAL
88S& INCOME

I 50

I 00

I 00

100

I COMPENSATION OF
EMPLOYEES

50

50

1944

1939

1

1945

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

1947

1946

1948

PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE
COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC A D V I S E R S

SOURCE: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

[Billions of dollars]
Total
National
Income

Period

1939
1944
1945
1946
1947

-

72.5
182.4
181.7
179.3
202.5

Compensation of
employees

47.8
121.1
122.9
117.3
127.5

Corporate profProprietors'
its and invenand rental Net interest tory
valuation
income
adjustment

14.7
34.1
36.0
41.8
46.0

4.2

3. 1

3.0
3.4

4.3

5.8

24.0
19.8
16.8
24.7

Annual i•ates, seasonall y adjusted
1947: First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter

197.3
199.3
200.6
212.8

125.0
125.3
127.6
132.2

46.4
44.6
44.4
48.6

4. 1

4.2
4.4
4.5

21.8
25.2
24.3
27.5

1948: First quarter1 1
Second quarter

215. 1
217.4

133.7
133.9

50.6
51.9

4.6
4.7

26.2
26.9




1

Revised.
NOTE.—Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of rounding.
Source: Department of Commerce.

19

CORPORATE PROFITS
Corporate profits for 1st. quarter of this year were just below the peak reached in 4th. quarter 1947.
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS

BILLIONS OF DOLLARS

40

40

ANNUAL TOTALS

ANNUAL RATES, SEASONALLY ADJUSTED

3 0

30

2 0

2 0

«• »:<•[""PlYiV'

I 0

^,(Ii/l1^

~

•:.'« .'fflfli'V!:^:*^^ ".•'•,
. .

.. L!.' !!5 .

..5. If!..

. i. r

..

.

5.

\ PROFITS
> AFTER
TAXES

I0

s

^{UNDISTRIBUTED ! « „
PROFITS!; t^hi'i'i'i;,,
VjWJSm&lK^

^hiiB^M''!1''!!.'..''/!'!.'!.",

''I '.'! ill' iril. i'H ii •."•• •::l.ll: :.. ::. »i!>

Ji

1929

1939

1943

2 .

2

3

*

2

3

1947

1946

3

A0 ALLOWANCE FOR INVENTORY VALUATION ADJUSTMENT.

SOURCE:

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.

COUNCIL OP ECONOMIC ADVISERS

[Billions of dollars]
Corporate
profits
before taxes

Period

1929
1939
1943
1946
1947

9.8
6.5
24.5
21.8
29.8

Corporate
tax
liability
1.4
1.5
14.2
9.0
11.7

Corporate profits af1ter taxes
Total
8.4
5.0
10.4
12.8
18.1

Dividend
payments
5.8
3.8
4.5
5.6
6.9

Undistributed
profits
2.6
1.2
5.9
7.2
11.2

Annual i•ates, seasonal!y adjusted
1947: First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
1948: First quarter.

„

28.9
28.8
29. 1
32.4

11.4
11.3
11.4
12.7

17.5
17.5
17.7
19.7

6.4
6.7
6.9
7.1

11.1
10.8
10.8
12.6

31.4

12.2

19.2

7.3

11.9

NOTE.—No allowance has been made for inventoryjvaluation adjustment. See p. 19 for profits after
taxes and inventory valuation adjustment.
Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of rounding.
Source: Department of Commerce.

ao

4

1948




PERSONAL INCOME
Wage increases and a further rise in farm income (part of proprietors1 income shown on chart) pushed personal
income in June to the record level of $211.9 billion (annual rate)—$4.7 billion higher than the May rate.
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS

BILLIONS OF DOLLARS

250

250

ANNUAL RATES, SEASONALLY ADJUSTED

200

200

I 50

150

100

100

J

1939 1944 1945

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

1946

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

1947

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

1948

' TERMINAL LEAVE BOND CASHING STARTED IN SEPTEMBER, 1947
SOURCE:

COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC A D V I S E R S

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.

[Billions of dollars]
Total
personal
income

Period

1939...
1944
1945
1946
1947

72.6
164.5
170.3
178.1
195.2

-

Salaries, wages, Proprietors1 Dividends Social security
and rental and interest and GI payand other
ments
income
labor income

45.6
116. 1
116.8
111. 4
121.9

14.7
34. 1
36.0
41.8
46.0

9.2

10.6
11.4
13.5
15.6

3.0
3.6
6.2

11.4
11.7

Annual nites, seasonal!}r adjusted

1947: May
June
July-.
August
September
October.. _
November
December
1948: January
February. _.
March
April
May
June




_

188.6
192. 4
193.2
190.8
206.2
200.0
201.4
207.7

118.8
121.4
121. 2
121.9
123.8
124. 6
127.4
129.3

44.2
45. 1
45.3
42. 8
45.0
47.5
47. 1
51.3

15.3
15.4
15. 6
15.6
16.2
15.9
16.1
16.2

10.3
10.5
11. 1
10.5
21. 2
12.0
10.8
10.9

209.4
206.8
205.6
207.4
207.2
211.9

129.4
128.9
127.6
127.0
128.8
131.3

52.4
50.0
49.3
51.9
50.7
53.0

16. 5
16.6
16.6
16.7
16.8
16.8

11. 1
11.3
12. 1
11.8
10.9
11.0

NOTE.—Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of rounding.
Source: Department of Commerce.

21

CONSUMER INCOME, SPENDING, AND SAVING
Consumption income increased more than expenditures in the 2nd quarter, according to revised data
There was a small increase in the rate of saving.
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS

BILLIONS OF DOLLARS

250

250

ANNUAL RATES, SEASONALLY ADJUSTED

200

200

I 50

I 50
DISPOSABLE
PERSONAL INCOME

f 00

I 00

CONSUMPTION
EXPENDITURES

1939

1940

* PERSONAL INCOME LESS TAXES
** PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE
SOURCE:

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

[Billions of dollars]
Disposable
personal
income J

Period
1939.
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944.
1945
1946.
1947

.
_

70.2
75. 7
92.0
116.2
131.6
145.6
149. 4
159.2
173.6

...
_

Less: Personal
consumption
expenditures

Equals: Personal saving

67.5
72. 1
82.3
90.8
101.6
111.4
122.8
147.4
164.8

2.7

3. 7
9. 8
25.4
30. 0
34,2
26. 6
11. 8
8.8

Annual ]rates, seasonally adjusted
1947: First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
2

1948: First quarter 2
Second quarter

.
_

169.7
168.2
175.0
180.9

158.1
164. 2
165.6
171.1

11. 6
4. 1
9. 4

183.7
187.3

172.0
175. 1

11.7
12.2

1
Income less taxes.
* Revised.
NOTE.—-Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of rounding.
Source: Department of Commerce.

22




9.7

PER CAPITA INCOME
Real purchasing power per capita has been almost stationary for a year.
DOLLARS

DOLLARS

1,600

1,600
SEASONALLY

ADJUSTED ANNUAL RATES

1947 DOLLARS**

1,200

1,200

800

800

CURRENT DOLLARS

400

400

I

1939

1940

1944

1943

1942

1941

I

2
3
1946

1945

* PERSONAL INCOME LESS TAXES,

4

1

2 3
1947

COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISERS

SOURCES: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

Per capita disposable personal
mcome *
Period

Current
dollars

—

1947 dollars *

$536

$859

1,054
1,070
1,127
1,205

1,045
1,179
1,242
1,338
1,326
1,288
1,205

574
691
863
964

.
-

-

-

913

Annual rate s, seasonally
adju isted
1947: First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter..
1948: First quarter 8 3
Second quarter




..»

...

1948

*## PRELIMINARY ESTIMATES.

#* CURRENT DOLLARS DIVIDED BY THE CONSUMERS' PRICE INDEX ON THE BASE 1947*100

1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945..
1946
1947

2***3

Consumers'
price index,
1947=100
62.4
62.9
66. 1
73.2
77. 6
78.8
80.7
87.5
100.0

Not adjusted
for seasonal
variation

1,186
1,170
1, 212
1,246

1,224
1, 191
1,200
1,200

96.9
98.2
101.0
103.8

1,261
1,280

1,198
1,195

105.3
107.0

1
Income
8
Current
1

less taxes.
dollars divided by the consumers' price index on the base 1947=100.
Revised.
Sources: Department of Commerce and Department of Labor.

23

AVERAC3E HOU]RLY

EA:RNINGS

1

^Average hourly ecirnings continued to increase geneirally in June as further wage- increase <agreements
:
\were reached. P reliminary data 1 or manufacturin g Industries indicate a continuation of this trend
1n July.
DOLLA RS PER HOUR

OOLLA RS PER HOUR

RETAIL TRADE

MANUFACTURING
1.50

1.50

—

1947 DOLLARS*

ajSU**---1"™

-**"*

*-"*„.

-

1.00

19 47

K"""

1.00

-«•--— V

DOLLARS*

iSSBl^-*—"^••*^S

^

•

•*

CUR RENT DOLLARS
\)UF

.50

.50

0

i i i t i 1 t i i i i

i i i i i 1 i i i i i

1946

1947

0

. , I . . i . ! 1 . I

i i i i i i i i i i i

,.,,,!,,...

1946

1947

1948

1948

PRIVATE: BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

BITU MINOUS COAL Ml NING
2.00

2.00
1947

1.50

***+ ^ • — " "
CUF

~***J

rr^i

1947

DOLLARS*^x?-|

— %-^y

DOLLARS*

^^^ •

*~

1.50

^__^^
\
CUF RENT DOLLARS

RENT DOLLARS

1.0.0

1. 00

.50

.50

0

RENT DOLLARS

i i i i i 1 i i i i i

i | i i i 1 i i i i i

1946

1947

!

1

1

1

1

1

I

1

1

1

I

0

i t i i i 1 i i i i i

i

, , . , , ! . , , . ,

1946

1947

1948

1948

# CURRENT DOLLARS DIVIDED BY CONSUMERS' PRICE INDEX Ot V THE BASE 1947*100
SOURCE:

DEPARTMENT OF

COUNCIL OP ECONOMIC ADVISERS

LABOR.

[Selected industries]
Manufa icturing

Retail trade

Bituminous coal mining

Private building construetion *

Period
Current
dollars
1939 monthly average
1941 monthly average
1944 monthly average
1945 monthly average.
1946 monthly average
1947 monthly average
1947: May
June
July
August.
_
September
October
_
November
December
1948: January
February
__
March
April
May 4
June4
July
1
8

_

$0. 633
.729
1. 019
1.023
1.084
1.221
1.207
1.226
1.230
1.236
1.249
1.258
1.268
1.278
1.285
1.287
1.289
1.292
1.302
1.317
1.330

1947
dollars 8

$1.014
1. 103
1.293
1.268
1.239
1.221
1.232
1.242
1.236
1.227
1.214
1.223
1.224
1.218
1.212
1.223
1.230
1.215
1.216
1.221
1.212

Current
dollars
$0. 536
.568
.724
.773
.878
.991
.985
.996
1.003
1.003
1.012
1. 013
1.025
1.016
1.044
1.050
1.044
1. 055
1.064
1.070

Covers only employees at the site of privately financed building projects.
Current dollars divided by consumers1 price index on the base 1947=100.
Source: Department of Labor.

24




1947
dollars 8
$0. 859
.859
.919
.958
1. 003
.991
1.005
1.009
1.008
.996
.983
.986
.989
.969
.985
.998
.996
.992
.993
.992

Current
dollars
$0. 886
.993
1.186
1.240
1. 401
1.644
1.470
1.489
1.740
1.787
1.819
1.798
1.851
1.826
1.847
1.826
1.842
* 1. 821
1. 841
1.848

1947
dollars *
$1. 420
1.502
1.505
1.537
1.601
1.644
1.500
1.509
1.749
1.775
1.768
1.747
1.787
1.741
1.742
1.736
1.758
» 1. 713
1.719
1. 713

Current
dollars
$0. 932
1.010
1.319
1.379
1.478
1.676
1.656
1.661
1.669
1.689
1.718
1.738
1.765
1.774
1.781
1.806
1.805
1.818
1.835
1.858

1947
dollars J
$1. 494
1.528
1.674
1.709
1.689
1.676
1.690
1.683
1.677
1.677
1.670
1.689
1.704
1.691
.680
.717
.722
,710
.713
,722

* Based on pay period during coal stoppage.
* Preliminary estimate.

AVERACJE WEEKLY EA.RN3INGS

1

Average weekly <Darnings rose ag ain m June refle cting b oth wage increo*>es and a slight y lengthened
workweek. Prelim inary data show that a shorter workwe ek kept manufaicturing earnings stable
n July.

>

DOLL.ARS PER WEEK

DOLL ARS

PER WEEK

MANUFACTURING

RETAIL TRADE

60

60

'

CURRENT DOLLARS
!•

CUR RENT

—-~*~
40

«*x*""

J.
/
1947 DOLLARS*

"

40

U.M

DOLLARS
„_
\
^-X»>»^

*

.

*~

/

1947 DOLLARS
20

0

1

1

I

!

1

1

1

1

!

!

1

i i i i i 1 i i i i i

. , , , . ! , , , , .

1947

1948

1946

0

1 1 1 I 1 1 1 t 1 1 1

t t i t i 1 i i i t i

1946

1947

BITU MINOUS COAL Ml NING

( I 1 I I 1 1 t 1 t 1
1948

PRIVATEI BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
100

100

80

80

CUR RENT DOLLARS

"'*'~^

f\

•N

^*—-^

^'"* 7

60

*

CUR RENT DOLLARS

\£*~

:

60

^^\

•- _-^~^^

1947 DOLLARS * *

40

40

20

20

0

KM

20

,,,,,!

1 1 1 1 1 1 I I 1 1 1

i i i t i 1 i t i i i

1947

1948

1946
* EARNINGS
SOURCE:

DATA DISTORTED

DURING THESE MONTHS

DEPARTMENT OF

BECAUSt " OF WORK STOPPAGES

0

OR VAC AT IONS.

X- *

_^
~^

- 5 ^ y/ ^
1947 DOLLARS* *

1 1 f 1 I 1 t I 1 1 1

1 1 1 t 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

i i i i i 1 i i i ii

1946

1947

1948

CURRENT DOLLARS DIVIDED 8 ' CONSUMER'S

PRICE INDEX 01V BASE OF 1947 = 100

c.OUNCIU

LABOR.

OF ECONOMIC ADVISERS

[Selected industries]
Manuffi icturing
jrenoa

Bituminous coal mining

Retail trade

Private bu ilding construc tion *

TJA_J-. J

1939 monthly average..
1941 monthly average..
1944 monthly average..
1945 monthly average..
1946 monthly average..
1947 monthly average..
1947: May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
1948: January
February
March
April..
May 4
June 4
July

Current
dollars

$23. 86
29.58
46.08
44.39
43.74
49.25
48.44
49.33
48.98
49. 17
50.47
51.05
51.29
52.69
52.07
51.75
52.07
51. 79
51.86
52.95
52.96

1947 dollars »

$38. 24
44.75
58.48
55.01
49.99
49.25
49.43
49.98
49.23
48.83
49.05
49. 61
49.51
50.23
49. 12
49. 19
49. 69
48.72
48. 42
49.07
48.54

Current
dollars
$21. 17
21.94
26.58
28.31
32.55
36.67
36.50
37.82
37.99
38. 14
37.06
36.74
37. 14
37.51
37.62
38.33
38.89
39.27
39.84
40.52

1947 dollars*
$33. 93
33. 19
33.73
35.08
37.20
36.67
37.24
38.32

38. 18
37.87
36.02
35.70
35.85
35.76
35.49
36. 44
37. 11
36. 94
37.20
37.55

1
Covers only employees at the site of privately financed building projects.
* Current dollars divided by consumers' price index on the base 1947=100.
Source: Department of Labor.




Current
dollars
$23. 88
30.86
51.27
52.25
58.03
66. 86
65.51
67.09
54.87
70.23
71. 19
71.91
71.77
75.22
75.78
70.54
74.84
3 49. 53
74.09
74.53

1947 dollars *
$38. 27
46.69
65.06
64.75
66.32
66.86
66.85
67.97
55. 15
69.74
69. 18
69.88
69.28
71.71
71.49
67.05
71.41
3
46. 59
69. 18
69.07

Current
dollars
$30. 39
35.14
52. 18
53.73
56.24
63.30
62.38
62.68
63.30
66.97
65.22
66. 14
64. 55
67.31
66.28
66.31
66.89
67.31
68. 13
70.51

1947 dollars *
$48. 70
53. 16
66.22
66.58
64.27
63.30
63.65
63.51
63.62
66.50
63.38
64.28
62.31
64.17
62.53
63.03
63.83
63.32
63.61
65.35

* Based on pay period during coal stoppage.
Preliminary estimate.

4

25

FARM INCOME
Income of farmers in July rose 10 percent over June as the peak of wheat harvesting was
reached. Farm income in August is expected to be just below the July level,
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS
4

BILLIONS OF DOLLARS

1939

40

41

42

43

44

M

45

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D J

F M A M J

1946

J A S O N O J F M A M J

J A S 0 N 0

1948

1947

* CASH RECEIPTS FROM MARKETING AND GOVERNMENT PAYMENTS.
** FARM INCOME IN CURRENT DOLLARS DIVIDED BY THE INDEX OF PRICES .PAID, INTEREST, AND TAXES ON THE BASE 1939'
SOURCE: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.




COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISERS

Period

1939 monthly average
1940 monthly average. .1941 monthly average
1942 monthly average
1943 monthly average
1944 monthly average
1945 monthly average
1946 monthly average
1947 monthly average
1947: June
July
August
September
October
November
December.
1948 : January
.
February
March
*
April
May
June4
July
1
2
8
4

.

_

__

_
._

Farm income
(millions of
current
dollars) »

Prices paid by
farmers (incl.
interest and
taxes) 1939=
100 3

723
761
981

100.0
100.8
106.5
121.0
130.6
136.3
138. 7
155.6
186.3
185.5
185.5
188.7
191.9
192.7
194. 4
197.6
202.4
200.0
199.2
200.8
201.6
202.4
202.4

1,340
1,678
1,753
1,857
2,110
2,543
2,211
2,662
2,517
3,060
3, 773
3, 109
2,927
2,581
1,866
2,001
2,096
2,103
2,413
2,655

Farm income
(millions of
1939 dollars)8

Includes cash farm income from marketings and Government payments.
Converted from the reported base, 1910-14=100, to the base 1939=100.
Farm income in current dollars divided by prices paid by farmers, interest, and taxes, 1939= = 100.
Preliminary.
Source: Department!©! Agriculture.

723
755
921

1, 107
1,285
1,286
1,339
1,356
1,365
1,192
1,435
1,334
1,595
1,958
1,599
1,481
1,275

933

1,005
1,044
1,043
1,192
1,312

PERSONAL CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURES
In 2nd quarter, durable purchases more than recovered from their 1st quarter drop; services and
nondurables continued up.
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS

BILLIONS OF DOLLARS

200

200
ANNUAL

ANNUAL RATES, SEASONALLY ADJUSTED

TOTALS

TOTAL

EXPENDITURES

150

150

100

100

NONDURABLE

GOODS:

50

50

1939

1944

1945

2

1

3

2

3

4

I

2"

1947

1946

3

4

1948

* PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE
SOURCE:

COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC A D V I S E R S

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.

[Billions of dollars]
Per sonal consump>tion expenditiires

Period

Nondurable
goods

Total

1939
1944
1945
1946
1947

„

-_

67.5
111.4
122. 8
147.4
164.8

35.3
67.5
75.4
87.5
96.5

Durable
goods
6.7
6.9
8.3

16.2
21.0

Services

25.5
37.0
39.2
43.6
47.3

An nual rates, se£isonally adjust ed

1947: First quarter.
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
1

1948: First quarter
Second quarter »..J

_
_
+.

158.1
164. 2
165.6
171.1

92.5
96.3
96.8
100.2

19. 6
21.1
21.1
22.1

46.0
46.7
47.7
48.8

172.0
175.1

101.0
102.4

21.4
22.3

49.6
50.4

1

Revised.
NOTE.—Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of rounding.
Source: Department of Commerce.



27

CONSUMER CREDIT
An increase in instalment credit in July was about offset by a drop in charge accounts.

BILLIONS OF DOLLARS
16

BJLLIONS OF DOLLARS
16

14

12

10

1929

1939

1941

J F

1943

END OF YEAR

M J J A S O N ' D J F M A M J J A S O N D J

M A M J J A S O N D

1947

1946

1948

END OF MONTH
*SINGLE PAYMENT LOANS AND SERVICE CREDIT
SOURCE: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve S y s t e m

Council of

[Billions of dollars]
Total
consumer
credit
outstanding

End of period

1929.
1939.
1941.
1943.
1945.
1946.
1947.
1947: June
July
August
September
October
November
December
1948: January
February
March
April
May
June
July 3




28

7.6
8.0
9.9
5.3
6.6

_
_

10.2
13.4
11.2
11.3
11.5
11.7
12. 1
12.7
13.4
13. 1
13.0
13.4
13.6
13.8
14. 1
14.2

Instalment
credit 1
3.2
4.4
5.9
2.0
2.4
3.9
6.2
4.9

Charge
accounts

Other
consumer
credit 2

1.7
1.5
1.8
1.5
2.0

2.7
2.0
2.2
1.9
2.3

3.6
2.9
2.8
2.8
2.9
3.0
3.3
3.6
3.2

3. 1

3. 1

5.2
5.3
5.5
5.8
6.2
6.2
6.3
6.5

3.3

3.6
3.4
3.4
3.5
3.5
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6

7.3

3.4
3.2

3.7
3.7

5. 1

6.7
7.0
7. 1

3. 1
3.3
3.3

3.6
3.6

1
Includes automobile and other sale credit and repair and modernization loans insured by Federal Housing Administration.
2
Includes single-payment loans of commercial banks and pawnbrokers and service credit.
3
Preliminary estimate.
NOTE.—Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of rounding.
Source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

Economic Advisers

MONEY, BANKING, AND FEDERAL FINANCE
BANK LOANS AND INVESTMENTS
Commercial bank loans increased significantly from June to July. Government security holdings were
somewhat higher.
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS

BILLIONS OF D O L L A R S

125

125
TOTAL (All commercial banks)

100

100

75

50

25

I

1929

1939

J

1945

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J* A

I

I
S

I
0

I
N

1
D

I
J

I
F

I
M

1
A

I
M

I
J

I
J

I
A

I
S

I
0

1
N

D

1948

END OF YEAR

END OF MONTH
PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE

SOURCE: Boord of Governors of the Federal R e s e r v e S y s t e m

C o u n c i l of Economic Advisers

[Billions of dollars]
Investments

Total
loans and
investments

Bank loans

49.5
40. 7
124.0
114.0
116.4

36.0
17.2
26. 1
31.1
38.1

13.5
23.4
97.9
82.9
78,3

16.3
90.6
74.8
69.3

8. 1

112.8
113.4
114.0
115.2
116.3
116.6
116.3

33.7
34.0
34.9
35.5
36.8
37.6
38. 1

79.1
79.4
79. 1
79.7
79.5
79.0
78.2

70.5
70.7
70.3
70.8
70.5
70.1
69.2

8. 7
8. 8
8.9
9.0

38.2
116.6
1948: January
38.7
115. 5
February
38.9
113,6
March .
38.8
114.3
ApriL
39.4
114.5
May .
39.7
113.7
June
40.0
114.6
July 1
1
Preliminary estimate.
NOTE.—Detail will not necessarily adcfto totals because of rounding,
Source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

78.4
76.9
74.7
75.5
75. 1
74.0
74.7

69.4
67.9
65.5
66.3
65.9
64.8
65.3

End of period

1929
1939
1945
1946
1947
1947: June
July
August
September
October
November
December




—

-

-

Total

U. S.
Government
securities
4.8

Other
securities
8.7

7. 1

7.3

9.0

8.5

8.9
9.0

9.0
9.0
9.3
9.2
9.2
9.2
9.4

29

MONEY SUPPLY
Total money supply increased in July chiefly "as a result of a rise in private demand deposits.
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS
150

BILLIONS OF DOLLARS
150

125

125

U.S. GOVERNMENT DEPOSITS
100

100

75

50

25

m
1929

1939

1941

1943

1946

END OF Y E A R

1946

1945

1948
PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE

END OF MONTH

Council of Econom'ic Advisers

SOURCE: Board of Governors of the Federal R e s e r v e S y s t e m

[Billions of dollars]
Total money
supply

End of period

1929.
1939..
1941.
1943.
1945.
1946.
1947.
1947: June
July
August
September
October
November
December
1948: January
February
March
April
May
June
July 3

._
_.
..
..

__
_.

_

_

26.5
37.0
50.5
90. 1
126. 9
113. 1
115. 1
109. 8
110.6
111. 3
112.5
113.5
114.4
115. 1
113.7
112.0
109.6
110.9
111.0
110.8
111. 5

Currency
outside
banks
3.6
6.4
9.6

18.8
26.5
26.7
26.5
26.3
26.0
26.2
26.4
26.3
26.6
26.5
25.8
25.7
25.6
25.4
25.4
25.6
25.4

Adjusted
demand
deposits l

22.8
29.8
39.0
60.8
75.9
83.3
87. 1
82. 1
83.2
83.4
84.2
85 4
85. 9
87. 1
86.6
84.6
81.6
83.0
83.2
83.0
83. 7

U.S.
Government
deposits 3
0.2
.8
1.9

10.4
24.6

3.1
1.5
1.4
1.4
1.7
1.9
1.8
1.9
1.5
1.3
1.8
2.4

2.5
2.4
2.2
2.4

1
Includes demand deposits, other than interbank and U. S. Government, less cash items in process of collection.
2
Beginning December 1938, includes U. S. Treasurer's time deposits, open account.
* Preliminary estimate.
NOTE.—Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of rounding.
Source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

30




FEDERAL CASH RECEIPTS FROM AND
PAYMENTS TO THE PUBLIC
The excess of Federal cash receipts over cash payments for the 1st half of 1948 was §7.6 billion. Preliminary
estimates for the last half of 1948 indicate a close balance.
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS

BILLIONS OF DOLLARS

20

20
QUARTERLY TOTALS, NOT ADJUSTED FOR SEASONAL

15

15

10

10

I

I

I

2

2

3

1946

2*

3

3

1948

1947

SOURCE: TREASURY DEPARTMENT

COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISERS

[Millions of dollars]
Federal cash
receipts from
the public

Federal cash
payments to
the public

1946: First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter

14, 153
11, 089
10, 375
9,868

13, 648
13, 590
9, 104
8,907

+ 505
-2, 501
+ 1,271
+ 961

1947: First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter

14, 962
11, 429
10, 468
10, 008

9,772
12, 197
10, 501
8,665

+ 5, 190
-768

15, 732
11, 390

9, 322
10, 159

+ 6,410
+ 1,231

Calendar year by quarters

1948: First quarter l
Second quarter




_

Excess of receipts (4-) or
payments (— )

-33

+ 1,343

1

Preliminary estimate.
Source: Treasury Department.

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, TJ. S. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C,
Price 15 cents

31