South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-30
TRADE MORE BRISK
SAYS DUN REVIEW
Christmas Sales Compare Well
With Other YearS-Make
Up Lost Ground.

Dun's weekly review OF Chicago
trade. published by r. G.. Dun &
Co.. says:
The year is closing with trade
much more brisk than il was in the
early part of December or the lat
ter part OF November After max
ing allowances for the retarding in
huences Of the holiday season and
the taking OF inventories the move
ment OF merchandise is satisfactory.
The Christmas overturn was large,
the business Of the last week bring
ing the figures up well in compari-
son with other years and making up
for ground lost in the preceding
fortnight.
Merchants expect good returns
from the white goods sales OF Jan
uary, and their lines indicate con-
hdence in continued liberal buying.
There is a stimulus to trade in the
fact that stocks now can be offered
AZ q price level somewhat lower than
their present replacement value be-
cause Of the advance in many staple
lines in the last few months.
Gain in Values. Not Volume.
"The business for the year, ac-
cording TO the reports Of most
wholesalers and jObbers will total
more than the record making fig
ures of 1916. but this reckoning is
in dollars and cents When the in
crease in prices-estimated all the
way from p 10 80 percent--is taken
into consideration il is clear that
there has been some shrinkage in
the volume of goods distributed. An
other item on the wrong side OF the
account just nos is the fact that
cancellations of spring orders are
slightly greater than is usual at this
time Of year.
There is "a slight Improvement in
the fuel situation the shortage Of
which is the greatest obstacle with
which steel makers have TO contend.
Last week the chief subsidiary Of
the steel corporation in this district
had eight or 10 furnaces shut down
or banked. There are fewer idle
stacks this week. but fun operation
still is impossible. Specifications
for government work-materials for
ships shells, supply wagons, ord
nance gun carriages-are coming to
the mills in greater volume. and the
output of these products is increas-
ing
Heavy Rails in Demand.
There is also an increased de-
mand for heavy rails. but for light
rails the call is light. Implement
houses are iIsistent in their re-
quests for bars and similar mate
rails. and their needs are being sup
piled in quantity sufficient TO keep
plants running but not in anything
/ like the amount the manufacturers
would like. The shipyards along the
lakes are booked to the limit with
small steamers for ocean service,
and il is not likely that any bulk
, freighters Will be put aflOat this
winter Increasing belief that pres
eut fixed prices viii be reafiirmed
has a steadying influence.
Big Money Demand Met.
The banks have passed through
/ the season Of heaviest money de-
mands. and this without discomfort
in spite of the fact that these de-
mands were larger this year than
ever before Rediscounts at the fed
eraI reserve banks have risen TO a
new record mark Of S10700O,000, or
S2S.0OO.OOo more than for the pre-
vious week. but there has been lit
tie change IN loan rates from the
5iz per cent level that has prevail
ed for the last two months
Bankers report a lessening of the
tension with the improvement OF
business in the last two weeks OF
Decem Der. and there are funds in
plenty available for all legitimate
commercial needs. Some lessening
in the borrowing on collateral is not
ed. but there is liberal use Of the
commercial paper market by those
engaged in heavy contract opera
tons for the government Collec-
tions are uniformly good"