New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-03
Merchants Feel
The Practice Of
War Economies
Heavy Government Orders
Offset Drop in Trade Buy
ing in Basic Industries

Readjustment incident 10 the transit
ton 70 war footing are stimulating &C
tivity and production in staple and
basic lines in the New York Federal Re
serve district, but have curtailed TO
marked extent the retail sales Of com
uodities not the object OF pressing day
today demand, according 70 a state
men, issued yesterday by the Federal
Reserve Bank Of New York.
The public's purchases Of clothing
drygoods. silks. jewelry and articles Of
Ike nature" the report states, "have
decreased materially since the declara-
ton Of war, due primarily to the prae-
tee Of economy, although the lateness
Of the season has been a contributing
factor. Business in mems and women's
clothing and drygoods is perhaps as
much disturbed as any line, Delng
hsmpered by uncertainties as 10 the
course Of styles, supply and price OF
goods, and probable demand during the
next few months. and also by rising
prizes and demand for government use.
Government Buys Heavily
Though manufacturer in tho tex
tie indu tries report slightly decreased
sales 20 the trade. in most cases orders
are being received as fast as they can
bs handled. WOOllen mills have heavy
demand for fall goods and are running
70 capacity, government orders making
Up an important part OF the business.
Cotton mills have their product sofa
FOR several months ahead, and nave
heavy government orders for duck,
KHAKI and heavy cotton goods. Demand
for bur.ars and jute - active WIN
prices firm, difficulties OF ocean trans
pouation hindering the Importation OF
material from India and Great Britain
The volume Of buslness ln the moe
aad leather trade has decreased signify
some hesitation i'm buying being OBJ
served. Boots and shoes are selling. IN
slightly smaller volume, apparently De
cause Of high prices, but manufacturers
have orders covering output INTO tne
early winter
Higher Prices for Drugs
Drugs and chemicals have COM
handed Increasing prices, and though
sales 20 retailers have been slightly re-
crced, The total volume Of business has
teTesged. Conditions in the dyestuh 3
industry nave improved, both as 70
quantity and quality Of output. Manu-
i2eturers o. rubber tires and other rub
Der products report continued heavy
buying demand and higher manufactur-
M costs through increased cost OF
lzoor, cotton fabric and chemicals.
The volume Of business done by
manufacturer Of machinery represents
Maximum capacity Of output, with
pnees rising Buying Is largely 20 pro
zoe equipment for turning out supplies
l'i ne government. Sales Of pleasure
automobiles have decreased, but the de-
mSna Tor motor trucks continues nor
mai. Orders for cars and other railway
equipment have been small. The vol
gme o. business in general railway
seppAss, such as castings, forgings, bar
toh, wheels and other articles for re-
pairs, Ia fair.
Less Activity in Building
collections continue good for the
moti part but our reports indicate
..aI Were are several lines ln which
~ are not a. good az 4 month ago.
FtoUsions have continued % in
-tesf IN price. though somewhat less
lI@p,aiy than Immediately following the
--sizfSt.cu % var. Wholesale grOccra
Is eeing = larger volume % business
IN l2it year, bot are zceking 20 dis
-es patrons from buying more than
ss.@i Immediate requirements, the de-
-1ha BENG mostly for staples such ~
.s1f, Hour, cereals, dried and canned
rEAbies and dried and canned fruit.
"a dealers have larger orders than
vepAl ~ This season, and have had
KY premiums for prompt delivery.
Dtlisfs received from bankers in all
- OF the district ghOw the existence
Hsn and active interest IN the prob.
~. o. Increasing production Of food
,ps, srd indicate that, despite snort
~ o. lAoor and high price of seed, tbc
isys ~ land being planted is mlch
sa11 Ran last year. Cool, damp
V.snH prevailed up 70 the middle ~
-, ara delayed planting In some Sec
s bVt warmer weather has come
!. .s ne delay was not great enough 70