Time Clock, Sep. 16, 1957

FORD’S EDSEL is off to a fast start. On first sales day, company took orders for 6,649 cars, and more than 2,500,000 auto fans went to showrooms to view new model. Present production, level: more than 1,000 a day.

SAFETY VIOLATIONS by truckers are worrying ICC, which is pushing to bar six of the offending truck lines from highways, plans to get tough with all lines. In nationwide spot check, ICC inspectors surveyed 50,000 trucks, stopped about 25% because they looked or sounded unsafe. Closer examination showed that 88% of them violated at least one safety rule governing interstate trucking and that 19% were in hazardous condition.

COLOR-TV SALES are doing so well after slow start that RCA will bring out five new models, expand its line to 16. RCA says sales are 200% over last year, but mass market is still far from being tapped.

AIRLINE FINANCING of planes will be made easier and cheaper by new law allowing carriers to issue equipment trust certificates, a leasing method that railroads have long used to get rolling stock. Under plan, airline borrows money to buy equipment, then gives title for the equipment to the lender by issuing trust certificates. Airline regains title from the lender when bill is paid.

MILLIONAIRE DORIS DUKE will go into the garbage business. For $1,350,000, “world’s richest girl” will buy control of Pittsburgh’s ailing Organic Corp. of America, which is operating a new process to turn “garbage to gold” in Pennsylvania by converting it into a black, sandlike fertilizer.

NEXT SUMMER’S SWIMSUITS for women will feature startlingly low-cut backs (down to the waist) contrasted with demure, high necks to cover up in front. In first trade showings, California swimwear makers are avoiding the new Parisian tubular look (TIME, Sept. 9), instead will draw in waists with belts.

OIL-RICH IRAN plans to build a 620-mile pipeline to carry between 140,000 and 190,000 bbl. a day from its rich Qum field (TIME, May 6) to Turkey’s Mediterranean port of Iskenderun. Idea appeals to Western oilmen because new line would avoid Redlining Syria. But Iran must raise $500 million for the job, and may hold back if Western nations work out plan to build their own line around Syria.

CREDIT SELLING will be tried next year for first time by J. C. Penney Co., biggest U.S. chain of junior department stores (1956 sales: $1.3 billion) and last major holdout for cash-on-the-barrelhead. It will try installment plan in several stores, use Penney credit in all 1,690 stores if test lures more customers and brings in more money than it costs.

FIRST POWER REACTOR built completely by U.S. private industry has been licensed by AEC to start operating in San Francisco area. The boiling-water reactor, made by General Electric Co., late this year will begin supplying 5,000 kw. (enough to serve a city of 15,000) to Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

AMERICAN MOTORS will sell its 1958 small Ramblers and British-made Metropolitans in General Motors, Ford and Chrysler showrooms to make up for its own dealer shortage. American quietly is franchising 100 to 120 Big Three dealers, mostly in rural areas.