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Page 2 Nationwide Survey Consumers Rate American Made Products Best When 2,435 people were asked to com pare and rate wearing apparel from Europe, Asia and the U.S.A. on 11 separate attri butes, U.S.-made clothing was voted best on each count by an overwhelming margin. The nationwide telephone and mail sur vey, conducted recently by Elrick & Lavidge, Inc for the Crafted with Pride in U.S.A. Council, asked respondents to rank clothing from various countries of origin on criteria such as fashion, color, fit, brand, durability, value, ease of care, appearance retention, workmanship and material. They were also asked which countries did the best, and which were worst, in each category. On every attribute, “Made in U.S.A." apparel came out decisively ahead. In the “Ease of Care" category, for inst ance, U.S.-made apparel was voted tops by a resounding 66 percent, compared to five percent favoring European products and three percent Asian. As the enclosed chart shows, U.S.-made apparel was also favored by more than half the voters in the categories of durability, fit, appearance retention, styling, brand, price value and quality of workmanship and mate rial. Apparel from Europe scored second throughout, except for price/value, where they were third. Europe also scored relatively high marks on up-to-date fashion. But Asia consistently scored last, except in the price/ value category where they were second to the U.S. Overall, 72 percent of the respondents voted U.S.-made garments best, 23 percent favored European products and five percent preferred items from Asia. The survey also showed those that fared poorly on each of the 11 points were ranked as follows: Asia (73 percent), Europe (19 percent), U.S.A. (8 percent). In addition to the new Elrick & Lavidge survey two other opinion polls, conducted within the past two months by both Gallup and Bruskin Reports, found that consumers rated the quality of U.S.-made clothing highest by a huge margin. “These new research results emphatically Christmas Savings Checks Distributed Christmas savings checks totaling $687,617.80 have been distributed to 469 thrifty employee savers. The payout in cluded $15,840.57 in interest payments. The average employee savings was $1,466. Clinton Mills of Geneva's 146 Christmas savings participants received $141,574.56. Included in this was $3,344.94 interest. The average Geneva account was $969.68. All active Clinton accounts at the time of payout, which had 40 or more weekly pay ments, received interest at the rate of 5 1 /4% per annum. The combined total savings for all em ployees was $829,192.36. The combined average account for the 615 participants was $1,348.28. confirm prior surveys and are extremely en couraging to all of us involved with the ‘Made in U.S.A.' campaign,” said Robert E. Swift, executive director of the Crafted with Pride in U.S.A. Council. “These findings again demonstrate clearly that most people prefer clothing made in this country," he added. Sponsoring research studies is one of the continuing functions of the Crafted with Pride in U.S.A. Council. The Council repre sents all segments of the fiber, textile, fabric and apparel industry, which employs two million Americans and supports two million more in related businesses. Vacation Pay Totals More Than $1,052,616 A total of 1,098 Clinton (SC) employees shared in $396,559.50 Christmas vacation pay for 1985. The payout was in addition to the $453,597.49 received by eligible em ployees on July 4th vacation pay. Cl inton M i Ils of Geneva’s 310 el igible em ployees shared in $77,133.72 Christmas vacation pay in addition to the $125,327.65 received by 474 employees as July 4th vacation pay. The combined payout for Clinton’s em ployees exceeded $850,156 and Geneva was more than $202,460. The more than $1,052,616 vacation pay is in addition to the pay granted by the com pany for seven paid holidays. 5 Years Johnny J. Tucker No. 2 Willie M.Werts Lydia Jerry Glover Geneva Clifford Woodard Lydia John McGee Geneva EricV. Clayton No. 1 Franklin Seay Geneva Sarah Dees No. 1 Gregory Summerlin Geneva Nancy Robinson No. 2 Margaret Nowling Geneva Arthur A. Barker No. 2 Lois Heath Geneva Calvin Spann No. 2 Nancy Braswell Geneva Lola Jacks Lydia James Penuel Geneva James Buchanan Training Sue A. Clevenger No. 1 Tarrant C. Gambrell No. 1 JeanC. Motes No. 1 Ha vert Young No. 2 Tommy Sherfield No. 1 Jessie Gary Maintenance Rudolph V. Clark No. 1 Joey Pittman No. 1 15 Years Terry Campbell No. 2 Polly Wilson Lydia William E. Stanton Purchasing Tommy Grant Lydia Donald Simpson No. 2 Bobby McClellan Bailey Willie Bluford Lydia Sammie L. Richards Bailey Wister A. Williams Jr. Bailey Annie Brantley No. 2 Annie P. Johnson No. 1 Rita Vo No. 2 Doyle Emery Lydia Gwendolyn White No. 2 Betty W. Smith No. 2 20 Years Cecil A. Brantley No. 2 Kelly Workman Warehouse James H. Scott No. 2 Grace Nelson Lydia Charles W. Williams Lydia MaryJ. Pulley No. 1 Mitchell B. Wigley Lydia George W. Clark Jr. No. 2 Catherine Thomas Lydia Nina C. Johnson No. 2 Phyllis D. Lyons Bailey 25 Years Franklin McCarson Bailey Rosa Martin Bailey Eunice Caughman Bailey 30 Years 10 Years Rudolph Henderson Louise N. Brown Lydia Lydia Mary Roberson Lydia 35 Years Imogene Gooch Lydia Donna F. Patterson Office William V. Samples No. 2 The tax rate for Social Security will increase from 7.05% to 7.15% in 1986, according to figures released by the Social Security Administration. The maximum employee tax in 1986 is $3,003.00 ($42,000 x 7.15%), matched in an equal amount by Clinton Mills. The taxable wage base for Social Security purposes is indexed to increases in average national earnings. In January 1986, all Social Security benefit recipients will receive a 3.1% increase, in their benefit. This is a cost of living increase based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index from the third quarter of 1984 to the third quarter of 1985. At the present rates, the maximum monthly Social Security benefit for an employee retiring at age 65 in January 1986 will be $760. Following are examples of how the new Social Security rates will affect employees and Clinton Mills. Increase for both employee and Clinton Mills Yearly Earnings $15,000 18,000 25,000 42,000 1985 $1,057.50 1,269.00 1,762.50 2,791.80 1986 $1,072.50 1,287.00 1,787.50 3,003.00 $ 15 18 25 211.20 In 1986, a Social Security recipient under age 65 will be able to earn $5,760 without incurring a reduction in benefits. Recipients 65-69 will be permitted to earn $7,800. There are no restrictions on recipients age 70 and older.