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The Courier News from Blytheville, Arkansas • Page 7

Publication:
The Courier Newsi
Location:
Blytheville, Arkansas
Issue Date:
Page:
7
Extracted Article Text (OCR)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1954 BLYTHEVII.LE (ARK.) COURIER NEWS PAGE SEVEN German. Toy Industry Needs No Salesman By NBA Foreign Service "NURNBERO, Germany (NEA) Imagine a national industry, almost destroyed during World War which tries to make a recovery without employing a single salesman. The average industrial leader would say that ti couldn't be done. But Germany's booming toy industry is colorful proof that a rule has exceptions. Despite the absence of salesmen, its comeback World War II has been little short of phenomenal.

The industry's center. Nurnberg, was hard-hit by Allied bombers. By 1944, the makers had tossed in the towel, but today, they are growing fat. 1953 export sales were 525,000,000 and the total for '54 may go beyond $30.000,000. About $4,500,000 more will come from domestic sales.

The answer lies in a trite old adage about building a better mouse trap. Germany's reputation for building superior toys is based on complex designs and painstaking work- i manship. The more ambitious items may have as many as 10 parts, with each toy assembled by hand. The result is a iiini.Uure masterpiece, giving years trouble-free service. With that kind of product to offer, the industry largely sits back and waits for business to knock on its door, as it 1 has for the past several The city's world-wide renown for fine mechanical toys dates back 200 years.

With a surplus of cheap skilled labor, it could turn out superior products at a price that was well in line with those of inferior foreign toys. This was a major factor in maintaining world-wide leadership which still exists even today. As soon as the war was over, the industry started back. The big im mediate problem was a total lack of materials. But the toy makers got around that one by salvaging metal from old tin cans.

By June, 1948, when the German currency reform took place giv- OUTTA THE circus outfit has devised thij means to clear a path through traffic jams in Paris, France. Horns are banned by a recent edict. At first sight, it works wonderfully, as other motorists do a take. But then there's always the chance of accidents when motorists and pedestrians take a second look. ing the nation a solid money for import buying they were well on the road to recovery.

And the boom has continued since. Only one big promotion is the annual toy fair in February. More than 600 firms take part, with Uuyers attending from many lands. It never is seen by children. The fair is) strictly a trade event and the public is invited.

Recently, patients at the U. S. Army hospital at Nurnberg got around this restriction when Red Cross recreation workers arrangtd for several big firms to exhibit their newest best-sellers. Among the most popular was battery-powered auto which steered by remote-control, going forward or backward at two different speeds. Another hit was electric speed boats.

The men In pajamas and bathrobes could not get enough of the toys, and neither, it seems, can the export trade. Since 1950, sales have spurted each year. Biggest market since the war has been the United States, which buys about one-fifth of the total export sales. Sweden is second. Prom the standpoint of capital investment, the industry isn't large and employs only 60,000.

But only the heavy industries, such as autos and steel, can boast of a bigger export business. 13-Year-Old Boy Summons Help For Trapped Men SALEM. Ark. 13-year-old boy speedily summoned help when his lather and another man were trapped In a mine the two men were rescued without suffering serious injury. Everett Lowrnnce, about 35, was burled for about an hour, and his brother-in-law, Udell Sciuire, about 25.

was partially buried and pinned against a wheelbarrow. Bobby Lowrance, returning home from school, found the two men and drove two miles in his father's car to summon help. Quiet, Please! PARIS Ul As part of an anti- noise campaign, the French parliament has asfcert that all manufacturers of motors be required to build them with mufflers that cannot be removed. The resolution was voted unanimously. Duff in Appeol For Support WASHINGTON Son.

Duft (R-Pd) sftys Republican congressmen must Rive President Eisenhower "more (hnn lip service" tf they want to re-elect him in 1956. Duff, onf of the Republicans urg- ing Elsenhower' to mn again snul in RII interview, "Most Republicans know there is a very strong menl in this country for the re- election of Eisenhower." Marine Group To be Replaced CAMP ZAMA. UPt The 1st Marine Division will be replaced by the U. S. 24th Division when it Is pulled out of South Korea soon.

Gen. Maxwell B. Taylor said yesterday. The 21th has been In the process of 1 redeploylni: from Korea to Ja- pnn. Electric Blankets Are Ruled Out SAN DIEGO, Calif, wv-Electric blankets were, ordered out of all 27 city fire stations here by Chief George Courser.

He said firemen are supposed to be "robust, athletic and ready to Jump out of bed 1 without the delay of turning off blankets or possibly tripping over vires. CPL. JOSEPH F. MEYER of Eureka, studies remote control auto at Ked (Jrosa preview of Numbers, Germany, toy fair. Hotel Suffers Most In 3-Cor Wreck LITTLE ROCK front of the Marion Hotel suffered the mast damage in a three-car wreck here yesterday.

Police said Prankey Burrows, 29- year-old waitress, admited she was speeding when she cut around the corner. Her car and two others collided. A pillar on the hotel portico was dislodged, leaving a. sagging roof. Damage to the portico was estimated by the hotel manager at Damage to the three cars in the collision totalled an estimated $2,200.

There were no injuries. Navy Men Shot PEARL HARBOR All naval personnel in the islands are being given influenza shots. Revenue Head Has Bank Job Waiting LITTLE ROCK State Revenue Commissioner Vance Scur- lick has a bonk job waiting for him Jan. 15 after he vacates present position. Sturiock, who became commissioner Aug.

1 last year, will become assistant to the president the Mercantile bank of Jonesboro. Gov, Francis Cherry's brother-in- law, Charles Frierson, is president of the bank. Eureka! GREENSBORO, N.C. struck oil while drilling a well for water to be used at a bakery. Triumphantly they marched in and told bakery manager Max Heath: "You have struck oil." "Yes.

but it isn't free oil," Heath said. "It's oil I have In a tank." I he true joy that descends upon each of us dur- ing the Yulelide season, comes not alone from the gifts that we give, buf in the spirit of giving. The feeling of complete happiness that fills as when we know we've brought a touch of joy to a loved one is the secret that has Icepf alive the true meaning of Christmas. It is in this unselfish spirit that we ex- tend to our friends and neighbors the Season's Greetings. Guard's Jewelers May the joyow of ChrUtmw your future, and bring you the blcseinga of friendahip NUmiiwtt Nik Urn BROS.

LUMBER CO. DEC. fl JOYOUS (Wisrniris toflLL As the joyous songs of ring out again, telling the happy story of "Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men" we extend the Season's greetings to our many friends. May your Christmas be one of content- ment and good cheer. May the New Year bring you full measure of happiness and good fortune.

HUDSON Cleaner-CLothier-Tailoi.

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About The Courier News Archive

Pages Available:
164,313
Years Available:
1930-1977