Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-06
BUILDING OPERATIONS
SHOW LARGE INCREASE
Many New Structures Are Being
Erected-Other Lines of Trade
Continue Active

Substantial increases In new building
operations and Improvements In this city
during this month are predicted In the
weekly review OF trade of II. G. Dun & Co.
Business In other lines continues to be
active and prices are generally reported
firm.
The review says that contractors and
builders are active and a large amount Of
new business about to be started 1t is be-
ieNed the month of April will fully offset
the loss of March, which was more than
S1.l0O 900 less than March. 1916.
The last week showed gain over the
preceding week and also an increase over
the corresponding week last year. Plans
are now under consideration for several
large business buildings which viii be
started In the course of the next few days
ana estimates are being made up on
number of proposed improvements.
or other lines of trade the review says
in part:
Buying in the local cotton yarn market
has been rather slow during the last week,
which Is attributed to the high prices of
yarns The advance in raw cotton Is re-
Earded as strong factor. II is the impress
sion among some dealers that yarns will
reach still higher price in sympathy with
the advance in raw cotton. Manufacturers,
however, are inclined to buy only for mme-
diate requirements.
The wool market still maintains a good
tone. although there does not appear to be
people appear TO be buying only for actual
requirements. Foreign advices are strong
and local values are held high,
There is nothing new in the mill situa-
ton, the mills being fully employed on old
contracts The new demand appears to be
only moderate.
Manufacturers of cloaks and suits state
they have been somewhat rushed to make
their deliveries for the Easter trade
There is little more activity among the
II "a ~ n nptt ttpnr .1t ,~h
somewhat backward. They anticipate, how
ever, a good seasons business. Skirt manu-
facturers have been fairly busy and looking
forward to "A good season.
Wholesalers of dry goods and woolens
state business has fallen off collections are
inclined to be slow Prices however. remain
firm.
Manufacturers Of mems and boys cloth
ing have found the spring business satis-
factory. and sales would have exceeded
somewhat that Of a corresponding period Of
1916 If it had not been for the recent labc-
trouble which retarded them somewhat
The hardware line shows considerable ac-
tlVity, with an increasing demand for all
grades of material, and it is believed that
the volume of business done during the
last month will exceed that for the same
period of 1916. Prices remain firm and
collections good
The electrical trade reports a satisfactory
volume of business and considerable ac-
tivity in connection with building opera
ton work.
The stove trade is reasonably busy in
staple goods and considerable activity IL
reported in supplementary heating appara-
tus. Jobbers and retailers are busy. Foun-
dries are operating at about so per cent
capacity Prices are steady. Collections
are fair,
The leather market is active and prices
high and firm. Glazed kid dealers report
a good demand for all grades and manu-
featuring is virtually confined to orders.
Shoe dealers report sales moderate and
prices high. Difficulty s experienced in
obtaining stock as desired.
Millinery dealers report volume of sales
greater than previous years and collections
fairly prompt.
In the lumber market conditions remain
about the same. Firm prices prevail, and
| the mills are working to capacity; the en-
| bargoes have been raised in some sections
| and owing to this fact, shipments have been
better.
| In the bituminous coal market prices are
softer, and on the spot market Pennsylvania
| Railroad coal is bring Sb a ton. cheaper
| grades 81 a ton and Farmount Gas 81 a
| ton, f. o. b. mines.
The demand Is strong. and the operators
| are not generally soliciting contracts, but
| in some instances. where contracts are
| taken. are getting high prices. and the car
| supply is averaging about so per cent.
| In the anthracite line conditions are
| about the same. and the first of the
| month there was a general reduction Of
| 75c a ton, although the demand has some-
what fallen Off owing to the weather.