New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-03
Trade Attains
Record Volume
Government Orders Impart
Stimulus to Many Lines
Of Industry

General business conditions in this
district are good, according to the Oc-
tober bulletin of tho Federal Reserve
bank of New York. "Conservatism IN
buying" the report states, CONTINUES
and has had desirable effects, notable
among them being pause in the
inward movement of commodity prices
and the maintenance Of generally sat
isfactory collections. The general re
port is that payments are being made
with a promptness gratifying in view
of increased investments necessary to
carry on business under present con-
ditions and Of the firm money rates
which have recently obtained.
"The volume of business, including
government orders, as measured in dol
lars, is above that Of recent months
and Of last year. Certain industries
which experience depression following
our entry into the war or during the
midsummer period report distinct re-
vival Of business, the automobile indus
try being notable example. The de-
maad for light, low priced cars has
been good, and makers of larger cars
have enough orders for trucks to more
than Offset the decreased demand for
their pleasure cars. The truck orders
are for the most part from government
sources, rs the necessary price adj
yances have restricted other buying.
Large Orders for Machinery
Manufacturers of machinery are
busy principally on orders for the gov
eminent or for machinery 10 be used on
government work and have their output
engaged for some months. ahead. Lit
tie new business is coming in, however,
as deliveries 20 purchasers other than
the government are subject to delayed
delivery and buyers do not care TO con-
tract far in advance. A similar condi-
ton obtains in the iron and steel in
dustries. and may be taken 10 account
in part for the decreases which are
being registered in untitled orders.
THE metal trades have experienced
a period of lessened demand and de-
creased prices, ascrbed TO desire on
the part Of consumers 10 defer pur-
chases until the effect Of governmental
activity in price fixing shall have been
ascertaineo. The fixing OF copper
prices at 23lkc a pound, which has re-
Gently been announced, is expected 20
have good effects.
ut is interesting 10 note that in the
manufacture Of rubber tires the cost
of crude rubber is no longer the de-
termining factor, as advances in the
price of the long staple cotton used
have made the cost of the fabric twice
that of the rubber. Advances in price
have been necessary, and have TO a
slight extent discouraged demand.
Though urban building activities
are light. dealers in many lines of
building supplies are doing a very &C
tive business. This is particularly
true Of lumber dealers in this district
and also of firms manufacturing ma
terials, such as prepared roofing, avail
able for rapid construction work.
THE volume of business in the drug
and chemical lines continues upward,
though with foreign buying lighter
than earlier in the year.
Demand for Groceries Less Active
Wholesale grocers report ten
dency TO buy more moderately. Prices
=
materially for some time, and the
United States food administration is
expected TO bring about reductions in
the prices of such important staples
as sugar and -four. The governments
buying methods have been designed to
disturb market conditions as little as
possible. For instance, Gamers were
requested to set aside a stipulated per
g haf of al az af
proposed by the government, 20 be de-
livered as needed, storage and carry
ing charges being paid by the govern
ment.
an the mems clothing trades the
volume of business is reported approx
imately normal, with retail sales some
what above those of last year, cold
weather having stimulated early fall
sales. In the womens clothing trade
the tendency of buyers has been tow
ard caution. Drygoods sales continue
larger in volume than last year. ac-
counted for principally by higher level
of prices.
"Silk sales are above those of last
year in volume. though somewhat
smaller in the number of yards Of
goods. High prevailing prices are due
20 the high cost of raw silk. practically
all of which is obtained from Japan,
and is affected by higher costs of pro-
duction and transportation.
Cotton mills have more extensive or
der5 than at the same time a year ago.
their output being contracted for 40 80
March and April. The trade is hesitat-
ing, however, in making new commit
ments. as recent decreases in the price
of cotton have raised hopes OF lower
prices for cotton goods, though IL IS
stated that the advances in the prices
of cotton goods did not keep W with
the advances in the price Of the staple,
and are therefore not likely to rccede
materially"