New-York tribune., 1913-12-29
CROSS CURRENTS In
TRADE PREVALENT
Bgsiness Conditions Not Improved
Except by Holiday
Demands.

Commercial agency reports for the
week show that the cross currents In trade
and industry still prevail although the
Underlying tone shows signs OF improve
nsnt The only real activity, however
was due 70 the stimulating influences OF
holiday requirements. "Duns Review
sys:
ASIDE from the stimulus impaired TO
retail lines by the holiday demands, there
has been continued absence OF activity
N business circles. Improvement in con-
ttions, however. is scarcely TO be eX-
psctec at this period when merchants and
manufacturers are preparing for annual
Inventories and statesmen are returning
from the road The quietness customary
3" the year-end Is accentuated by an uh-
usrally mild winter; yet "a rather more
hopeful sentiment prevails and confidence
Il strengthened by the removal OF un-
certainty regarding currency legislation
Some encouragement is derived from the
fact that stocks OF merchandise are
meagre at practically all points, since TINS
suggests that an early buying movement
may become necessary 70 replenish de-
pleted supplies The labor situation re-
fleets further additions 10 the number OF
de men. but I'm certain industries work
ing forces are well maintained and III
nearly all case. machinery In New Eng
land woolen mills Is fully employed. bNl-
nenco OF the strong position or the ia"
material is found I'm conditions at Bostoh'
which reports the largest sales Of WOOL
without concessions I'm prices, IN any week
this wear According 10 the official re-
turns the consumption Of cotton IN the
United States for 1913 was the hcaVles'
N the history OF the country, Whie eA
ports Of cotton goods OF domestic MANU-
iaeture were greater in value thah eve
before This nations shipments or asri
Sliurai products during November u"@
30; equal the record breaking total OF Inv
same period last year yet for the e'eN g.
iqonihs the outgo Of farm Staples ""'
worth considerably more than AT any P''
Nous time Current distribution OF ioo'
wear at retail rs restricted by thf open
weather and manufacturers are recei'i"e
little new business but deinaho
leather is fairly steady Hollday 'niU
entes accentuate the dulness III IRON an
steel and mill operations are being iu'
ihef reduced. while more blast furI'a''o
Sill shortly bc banked. ON the o'ne'
hsHd there has been some lncreas' -
he volume Of orders booked OF late "'"
\ ls noticeable that export trade has eA
banded Europe also continues 10 p1'
copper IN domestic markets ana q"o,a
ions have hardened somewhat. 'ohS''
GEO broadly. however, the Seneral ."
lency OF commodity prices Is sun GOV"
sarc. the list % 80 different artlcies '.
assumption compiled by Dun's keVi."
showing IS changes this week oi VIM"
T" were declines and 10 advances. 40 ~
fear-end approaches continued ease pr
'slls IN money. but temporary nrn'"ess
% be expected when the heavy a"',""
statements fail due. The usual s'h''e'
lssts illustrate the recession IN sehe,"'
'asiness activity. bank clearinss W.. ",
ssek being 81 per cent less Una" ,a',
Year. but a. per cent larger than ~ I''i'
while railroad gross earnings for W.
weeks Of December showed losses VI ~
Der cent aud ~ per cent, respectively
Adyices from the Pittsburgh oH''e, .,
Aa'eate that production in iron aho S