25 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK: The Canadian government selected Burbank’s Lockheed Aircraft to compete for the design and production of an $800 million long-range patrol aircraft Pan American World Airways, buffeted by high fuel prices, warned it might need U.S. government subsidies to survive The oil shortage and a scarcity of lumber sparked a mini boom in the sale of coal for L.A. fireplaces.

THE NEWSMAKER

Otto E. Roethenmund, an official with the prominent Swiss banking firm Deak & Co., warned that the United States could be in an economic depression within a year unless the country took radical steps to settle its financial affairs, including at least a partial return to the gold standard. Speaking at a news conference downtown, Roethenmund said investors were growing disillusioned with paper money, and opting for gold and silver instead.

THE NUMBERS

NOVEMBER 30, 1973

Dow Jones Industrial Average 835.11

London gold $101.75/oz.

Pep Boys 8-track car stereo $24.88

Condo in Mammoth $36,000-$56,000