ATOMIC FREIGHTER, proposed by President Eisenhower to illustrate the benefits of peacetime atomic energy, will be sailing the high seas by 1957 if Congress approves the necessary funds. According to AEC and the Maritime Administration, the nuclear-powered freighter will cost some $30 million, be in the 10,000 to 15,000 gross-ton class and about 500 ft. long. It will be fitted out as a floating exhibition hall, with a theater seating 1,000, exhibition spaces, a dispensary and accommodations for 75 crewmen and passengers. Annual operating cost: about $500,000.

NATURAL-GAS MEN are squabbling among themselves over federal price controls at the wellhead, thus blocking congressional attempts to kill some of the restrictions. While all segments of the industry--producers, pipelines, and distributors--want fewer price controls, they cannot agree on where they should stop. Unless the gas men get together, Congress, which is already under heavy pressure from consumer groups for controls, will probably do little about a relief bill.

NONSCHEDULED AIRLINES will soon get a chance to fly U.S. mail, if the courts uphold the Civil Aeronautics Board. After trying for years, three big charter operators (Slick, Flying Tiger, Riddle) have just won CAB permission to fly mail at 18 1/2-c- per ton-mile (v. 45-c- for scheduled lines), and thus cut themselves in on the lucrative mail business. All that stands in their way is American Airlines, which claims that the CAB decision is illegal and has asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for a review.

GERMAN SHIPBUILDERS, who have been hitting it hard ever since 1950, and now rank second only to the United Kingdom, are threatening to run away with the market. In the first quarter alone, West Germany built 62 ocean-going ships totaling 244,000 tons, now has another 281 ships grossing 793,608 tons under construction. Though 40 % of the tonnage is for foreign owners, Germany hopes to have 3,000,000 tons afloat by 1956, some three-quarters of its prewar tonnage.

STAND-BY CONTROLS for prices, wages and credit in case of war will get a presidential boost when Congress starts hearings on renewing the Defense Production Act next month. Both President Eisenhower and the Office of Defense Mobilization think the controls should be on the books for speedy action in case of a national emergency.

CEMENT SHORTAGE threatens to slow down the building boom in three key U.S. areas. The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association reports that the 95 producing U.S. companies cannot meet expanding demand because of severe shortages in New England, some Midwestern states and Texas, where a grey market has started in Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth.

FLORIDA TURNPIKE stretching almost the full length of the state, from Miami 390 miles north to a point near Jacksonville, has been authorized by the state legislature. To be financed by revenue bonds paid off by tolls, the new super-road will cost $281 million. Work on the first 103-mile section north from Miami is scheduled to get under way this year. Completion date for the entire road: 1959.

DAIMLER-BENZ, one of Germany's biggest automakers with exports to 117 nations (1954 sales: $240 million), will soon start a separate U.S. subsidiary to help supply its expanding U.S. and Canadian markets. The company will set up its own multimillion-dollar factory somewhere in the Eastern U.S., start making heavy diesel trucks, tractors and industrial engines late this year. Mercedes-Benz cars will still be made in Germany.

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