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About The Oregon statesman. (Salem, Or.) 1916-1980 | View Entire Issue (March 22, 1954)
Rugs Carp Better than Ever Widths Increase Since World War II, the car pet and rug industry , has been - marked by a progressive improve ment in product and in distribu tion techniques, trade publica tions point out. . The wool carpet and rug indus try alone has invested in the neighborhood of $75 m i 1 1 i o n in new machinery .and equipment' during that priocL'Part of this in vestment has been in new wide looms. In 1939, only 17 per cent of the output was in twelve-foot and wider carpet, while in 1952, over 55 per cent was twelve-foot ' and wider. Over-all capacity is now far in excess of demand and probably exceeds 100 million yards a year on a three -shift bcsis. More Colorful, Durable Rugs are becoming more col orful and durable every year. 5 Through the injection of style and fashion, the industry's carpet lines have been revolutionized. More new patterns and weaves have been introduced in the last live years than in the previous 25. Top designers from outside the industry have" been engaged to - supply new and stimulating pat terns and weaves. Most important of all has been the introduction of new fibers. Through the use of carpet rayon and cotton, several mills have been bringing out new patterns of carpet at lower cost to consumers. Th&e is every in dication that still other libera will be-used by mills in the future. Flax Popular Fiber flax is increasingly pop ular. At the same time, some indivi dual manufacturers have adopted greatly increasing advertising and promotional activities to build consumer demand. Some mills do an .elaborate job of con sumer advertising. Furthermore, since World War II, the industry has spent almost two million dollars through the Carpet Institute, a market devel opment and promotion organiza tion, on public relations, retailer aids s and the Carpet Fashion opening, to stimulate retailer and consumer interest in carpets and rugs and build sales. i; j 31,000 Workers . . J At the present time, there are approximately 31,000 production workers employed in the rug in dustry. Over the past decade their earnings have increased substan tially. In 1939, average hourly earnings were 64 cents an hour and $23.20 for a 36-hour week. During the war years, the ave rage work week was increased to more than 43 hours and the ave rage, hourly earnings rose to 96 cents. By June' 1945, weekly earn ings had reached $41.70 or an in crease of 80 per cent above pre war - , . ; - Postwar-wage .increases have tended to offset the decline of overtime. .Average hourly earn ings amounted to $1,760 in Janu ary 1953 or 175 per cent above prewar, and weekly earnings reached $73.92 or 219 per . cent more than before the war. The cost; of. living was 92 per eent atove prewar in January .1953, so that real wages have risen well above the prewar level. In Janu ary 1953, weekly earnbigs of all manufacturing amounted to $71. 51 and average hourly earnings to $1,740. . . '. - i Steady Increase i. ''' There has been a steady iin crase in the number j of broad looms in the rug industry since the (introduction of that type of machinery, in the mid-twenties. (A broad loom is any loom six feet or wider.) . . ' , 2 r A 1 --4- - , " TC Wall-to-wall caroetiiur. and a king-size bookcase headboard combine to make this bedroom distinctive and attractive.. The headboard is as versatile as it is useful, and will "mix" with any Contemp orary bedroom suite and "match" with a choice of eight finishes. SPRING time to see .trv CARPET BAZAAR I Morch 22-31 I rco oe neervnfy e?arprt by LW V - 3 I" j I- i EAUTY, STYLE A It D COMFORT AT A BUDGET PRICE PICK wm mm by Lees m i Imagine the luxurious comfort yowjwiQ njor with esw ef these new Iridescent creations by Loes on your floors. Mako your choice from this embossed provincial twd pattern or the beautiful embossed contemporary leaf, both oWigned to create a striking sculptured effect. See your rooms daaoa with new hfe when keyed to the latest trends ia tfa homo fashion field. A variety of new colors spark tb tanbooaed oontem- porary leaf design sod provide a wide j selection for the sofceme fyosr choiea. Bostol all, those 100 wool 1 cr? . ' 0 ' At ' $o)M Sq. ' f-v.t -vp if Sir-- " , . Wt Gitt ond Redeem Penny Sever Stamps y,-' Open Friday Nisht Till 9 PJA, 450 Court St. v. a I , ... LiiiiM mmi i Patios, indoors or outdoors, are interesting. Steteaanaa, Salem. Ore Mo& March 22. 1S54 CSec J) 7 New Appliances Attractive for Hpmemalcers !A development , i the auto- an automatic .washer and a dry- matie laundry line is a combina tion washer and drier. This com pact (36 inch wide) unit is only a bit over standard ; counter height and beautifully designed for any kitchen or utility room. It washes, rinses and dries a load of laundry to any degree of dry ness all with just the twist of a dial. It costs somewhat less than er, separate. Counter-height home freezers now come with flat tops so 'they can be used for work surfaces1 in kitchen or utility room. But the upright, refrigerator-like . home freezers are increasing in popu larity because they take less floor space nd contents are easier' to reach. I 1 Refrigerators now have various . de-frosting devices one with a pushbutton-operated heating coil that defrosts 'the unit in seven minutes flat Storage space is en gineered for maximum use, with special ' compartments not only for meat, vegetables and fruits, eggs but also for cheese and spreadable butter. - : - Fam6us Virtue ' -: . All New Spring ; X-- r . j Merchandise t i 1 1 ' 1- . . . i t . r : ' 1 . - a v -4 I . . ft , . , ' ' , I ' . - - ' . ' I 4 1 ? - , - t . v. . 1 - i . r I" I t; TAftlE Rectangular I AULCS extensien. center leaf CITE 30" x 50" open; closes to dlXCe1 30" x 42". - TOP: Heat and stain resistant Micalite. ; red, yellow; . : :!!.. fTC Cubis pattern fn grey vULUlldo green and chartreuse. ; i i yiiri' 7" wrap-around tubular frame. Curved, VmAIbIo welted, form-fitting non-marring Virtue back. Comfortably padded seat. Plastic glides. i UPHOLSTERY: Cubis pattern Duran. i ' X 1 w t - 1 1J ill 450 COURT ST. 0PEII EVERY: FRIDAY NIGHT UNTIL. 9 P. fl I We Give and . . Redeem Penny Saver. Stamps 7 A v 1 ;
