Statements in the past month from local industrial and banking leaders have made it clear that the city’s businessmen expect the Korean truce to have little long-range affect on business in Middletown and the nation. Many agree with D.G. Driscoll, president of the Sorg Paper Company that "a far-reaching change as that involved from a war economy to a peace economy might temporarily affect business activity." They are convinced, however, that any sudden business dips would not be permanent. The leaders' optimism is based on their anticipation of continued defense preparations. John W. Lawler, president of Aeronca Manufacturing Corporation, has said, for example, that his firm's contracts with the Air Force "have been chosen not with an eye to filling immediate combat needs but for the defense program which will continue after the Korean peace. As long as there is a hostile nation in the world, Americans can’t afford to be defenseless...”

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