Economic Outlook

"I've been a subscriber to your magazine for several years now," said the letter that accompanied the following article, "and I've watched ECONOMIC OUTLOOK with special interest since it first appeared in 1975.

"I believe we're thinking in a similar vein ... and, through cycle research, I've drawn a bead on where the economy is headed and when it will arrive there. It's all explained in the enclosed article, 'Our Economic Walls of Jericho', which is excerpted from my book, How to Survive a Spastic Economy.

"Perhaps you'd be interested in including this piece in one of your issues. If so, you might want to hurry a bit since the next recession is just around the corner."

After reading over the author's (Mr. David E. Rhoads, of San Diego, California) attached material, we tended to agree with him: No one knows exactly what lies ahead in our economic future, nor precisely when the next major turn will take place. The fore cast printed here, however, is about as levelheaded and dispassionate as any we've seen recently ... contains specific recommendations that can help you protect yourself and your belongings no matter what happens ... and makes far more sense than any of the proclamations coming out of Washington these days.

And that's about all the introduction you need to the following article, other than a little background information on the author. David E. Rhoads has an MBA in finance from Indiana University and-among other positions-has worked as a financial planner and a conductor of cost/profit studies.

Perhaps Mr. Rhoads's most noteworthy "hands on" economic experience was gained when he was the Business Economics Manager for the Solar Division of the International Harvester Corporation. He monitored domestic and international economic developments and reported them to the firm's executive staff while in that position ... and projected the impact of those developments on the company's plans and outlined the resulting financial contingencies that IH would have to deal with.

David resigned from International Harvester in the spring of 1976 to devote more time to his investments, a private consulting service (Mr. Rhoads is a registered investment advisor), his writing (David authors an economic and financial newsletter, The Rhoads Conclusion), and his public speaking (Mr. Rhoads stands ready at all times to present his talk, There's No "Long Term" Any More, to any political, economic, or other group that wants to hear it).

If you're interested in purchasing a copy of the private printing of How to Survive a Spastic Economy, in subscribing to The Rhoads Conclusion, or in having Mr. Rhoads appear before a club or group, send a stamped, self-addressed long envelope and a dollar to cover the cost of a reply to Mr. David E. Rhoads, 3016 Ducommun Avenue, San Diego, California 92122.

OUR ECONOMIC