AUTO AIR CONDITIONING boom in '57 models is predicted by Detroit motormakers. Ford says its '57 air-conditioning-unit sales may reach 75,000, three times this year's anticipated 25,000.

U.S.-MOSCOW TRAVEL was made easier when Pan American World Airways reached "interline agreement" with Soviets' Aeroflot, under which Pan Am passengers can be ticketed direct to Moscow, board Aeroflot planes in Helsinki. U.S. officials believe Russians delayed allowing direct Pan Am flights into Moscow, with reciprocal landing rights in New York for Aeroflot, because Soviets do not want to show their inferior civil aircraft in the West.

PLANS FOR SUPERLINERS of up to 90,000 tons to carry 6,000 passengers across Atlantic in dormitory and cafeteria style at $50-$100 each are being considered by U.S., European governments. U.S. Maritime Administration has requests from private businessmen to subsidize two big cut-rate tourist liners (total cost: about $270 million), while Belgian authorities are debating whether to spend $20 million to enlarge Zeebrugge harbor to accommodate seagoing giants.

TRAILER DWELLERS now number 3,000,000 in U.S., and "mobilehome" builders expect 1956 sales to go up 15% over last year's record $435 million. Reasons for the large jump: more livable trailers (air conditioning, built-in bars, etc.), high rents, national wanderlust.

ANTIQUE SALES in U.S. are riding crest of a steady five-year rise, with last year's imports of $16.9 million doubling the 1953 total and this year's figure keeping pace. As big antique demand spreads to broader, more discriminating market, supply is rapidly dwindling in traditional European markets, and dealers are looking more to Asia, Africa.

PRIVATE URANIUM processing proposal will be sent to Atomic Energy Commission by Koppers Co. Inc., and Kennecott Copper Corp. They will ask AEC for permission to jointly finance and operate first non-Government atomic "feed-materials" plant, producing up to 5,000 tons of uranium salts yearly.

ANTIMONOPOLY COMPLAINT against Fruehauf Trailer Co., largest producer of truck trailers, was filed by Federal Trade Commission. FTC charged Fruehauf, which has increased revenues by 200% since 1949, had swallowed competitors illegally, was getting strangle hold on industry by offering special financing deals.

INVESTMENTS ABROAD by U.S. business and stockholders are at record $29 billion, up $2.4 billion over 1954. Earnings on U.S. private investments abroad also reached $3.1 billion high in 1955, with oil industry alone taking $1.2 billion.

LUMBER PRICES DROPPED 3% on wholesale market in past three months, Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Some dealers report retail prices for home-construction grades are 5% to 10% below last year, due largely to fewer housing starts.

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