Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31
Iron and Steel.

In striking contrast to the record turn |
over of the preceding year. the output Of
iron and steel fell much below capacity |
during 1911. although in the final months |
there was distinct change for the better
and mill operations We're considerably in
creased. The overproduction OF the basic
materials In 1910 was largely responsible
FOR the depression that followed. and 1t
was not until quotations on virtually all
products Were lowered close to the cost of
manufacture that any markeu revival in
demand developed.
Owing to various unfavorable conditions
the year 1911 was one OF general uncer-
tainty In the cotton goods trade. and re-
chants Were notably unsatisfactory, the
volume of business and percentage of
Profits being considerably below those OF
. the year before. The principal retarding
factor during the early part of the year
was the extremely high price of the raw
material, which necessitated advanced
costs for the finished goods. AIanufac-
tnrers, In their efforts to keep their plants
IN operation and to stimulate demand.
named prices at which there was little or
no profit. but buyers refused TO place Or
ders except for the smallest quantities
and for such goods as were absolutely
needed for current requirements
Uncertainty az to the future. caused by
rho steady decline in the prices of wool
during the first few months of the year.
produced marked conservatism on the
part of manufacturers and merchants and
stocks OF finished goods were allowed to
run down to about the lowest point ever
known. The feeling Of depression In the
trade was accentuated by q marked de-
Cline from the normal volume of consump
tion. especially in dress goods. not the
least factor in producing which was the
radical change in fashion which lessened
the requirements Of fabrics for womens
apparel 10 q very appfeciable extent In
consequence of these conditions many
mills ceased operations or worked only on
80 -1-rru
over 50 per cent Of the wooden and
worsted machinery of the country was
idle. aJthouell at no time did consump
ton fall on 70 an equal extent.
:, Boots and Shoes.
As in numerous other branches Of bust
ness. conditions in the boot and shoe in
dustry were far from satisfactory, trad
ing at no time being active or even In
normal volume. Although the uncertain
outlook in other directions had. some
influence in restricting the operations of
buyers. the great number Of freak styles
put out contributed In no small degree
to producing uncertainty. Under these
conditions conservatism became very pro-
nounced, and orders placed were, a
rule. In moderate amounts. The question
OF prices appeared to enter less into the
calculation OF buyers than might have
been expected, dealers apparently being
more concerned as to the kind Of foot
wear that was In demand and TO the out
look I'm general business. AS to prices.
very little change occurred. except in calf
leather goods. which commenced to adj
vance In March, and on which by Septem-
Der manufacturers had secured an In
crease of 25 cents per pair. with steady
expansion in values since that time. Other
lines were quoted only about cents per
pair higher than a year ago. Demand
through the spring and early fall months
was spasmodic. and during the summer
very dull. but toward the end OF the year
there was a gradual increase.
Agricultural Results.
Except In the case Of cotton. there was
general falling OF in the output Of the
leading agricultural staples during the