The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-12
TRADE GIVES WAY
TOLIBERTY LOAN
Slackening Of Industry PARTLY
Attributed to Epidemic of
Influenza.
PEACE TALK \ FACTOR
Some Buyers Anticipate Lower
Prices for Commodities.
Says "Bradstrcet's."
'EACE TALK 4 FACTOR

Part OF the responsibility for some
hesitation in trade and Il slackcnin- q.
the pace of industry is credited hy tho
weekly trade reviews 10 the countryw.de
epidemic OF Influenza which has liam.
pered industry, resulted in the promrIgH-
tion OF health regulations. the closing o.
some theatres and schools, and finally IN
restricted buying by the ultimate con.
sumner. On the other hand, peace talk.
not to say false peace sentiment. IN.
had some effect on trade. BrddSuccr,
will further say to-day
The Liberty Loan campaign also Las
diverted attention from trading, and
pleas for peace cmanating from the Gel.
trail European belligerents have hrough.
on a more cautious attitude among buv-
ers, Further restriction of non-cssentlal
industries is noted. still. optimism has
not abated nor have stocks become any
more plentiful. Some BUYERS ant ripat,
lower prices for commodities. and indeed,
talk of easier prices, born of roseato war
news. is creating n strong impression.
Retail trade. in addition to suffering
from the circumstances named, also feels
the effects of a recurrence OF warm
weather. which initiates against pur-
hand: pes5imism is notably absent. ard
underneath the temporary halt In move
ments there is marked anxiety o. get
supplies heretofore ordered, and in the
country districts, especially ia tie more
important crop yielding districts. tie
tendency is to recorder as well As 10 hIv
for future delivery. But free movements
for ordinary account are out Of the Gu"s-
ton, the Government having imposed re-
strctions on so many lines.
incidentally reports of ehriy buying
Of Christmas gifts are absent. ON tie
other hand. war work IL even mora
pressing, and the Government IS Hs.strs
upon increased outputs of win the VIZ
products, this being significant 'orc-
larry to Germans plea for discussions
looking to peace"
The further readjustmeuts iu hGan-
cial and commodity markets NlEd
ReUicio will say to-day, "retic"tng -
significant turn in international roud-
tons. have oyershadowed all other ''n-
homie developments of the week. Win
increased momentum. prices Of various
industrial securities have moved uuwn-
ward. and the declines in foreign o.-
change and in the grain options hnys
been apprcciably extended. The stability
of general business. in contrast, has not
been lassened by the important events n
the war situation. and the strain.' for
great manufacturing outputs, promoted
by pressure to meet Government r'ul.r'-
ments, has Ncontinued undated N'.
both industrial and trade aCtivit.ls, 49,
pecially in the Fast, have been slack
ened by the influenza epidemic. an %
campaign for the Liberty Loa" aa'
tended to divert attention away from
ordinary channels.
Above these temporary restraints
how ever. the fact stands ont c.t.l.Y
that cOusumptivc buying, while p.AnT
more conservative, IS remarkably ~
sustained in all sections of the "1ul'"'.
and the efforts to promote carly holiday
shopping have not been without stiJ1 =
ing influence on retail distribution. "Oai
The growing pauc!ty of supplies, .~ go
than tha element of high prizes, r..-
tinucs the Chies deterrent 10 Ia" .''.a-
ening OF business with tho ad'an'
season reports from ali ledd!n- c""ir,'
emphasize. aud some civilian opf.. MS
are practically suspended because : 20
urgency OF demands of Special ,"a.-
acter.
The prevailing condition, as hJs
been for some time. Is one Of suh'-I. ra-
zion of private enterprise 70 the posing
wants Of the Government, ana r.'rT
restrictions are being imposed u""' r'@-
u.ar trade Wherever such PR. ua, %
ucGcSsitated."