New Britain herald., 1918-11-27
State OF Trade.
(BradStreet'S.

AS the country shifts from a war
to a peace basis, irreguladity in move
ments, uncertainty about prices, and
cancellations, the latter mostly Of
war-wanted products, are strongly
outlined, these manifestations being
accompanied by conservative optim-
ism as to the future and redress to
believe that the country will respond
to readjuStment with a minimum of
shock. Meantime, however, new buy
ing in volume is in allegiance, the
general disposition is to mark time
pending the opening of clear
ly defined routes, and, in
word, there is considerable look
pensations of peace will bring forth
to fill the gaps caused by the elimina-
ton Of war work-an aspect that
prominently stands out in the iron
and steel trade But wit the lifting
ing Of numerous restrictions and the
partial passing Of governmental pri-
, critics, many of the arts of peace
breathe easier and the abrogat!on Of
these disadvantages tends to produce
a degree OF what might be termed
cheerful normality. Thus far no great
pressure to sell staple merchandise
has developed; neither is there q
headlong rush to cancel orders for
such goods. On the other hand, man
ufacturers and initial producers, who
must look far ahead, froWn at paying
current prices for raw materials, but
find recessions slow in appearing.
Naturally, most Of the buying going
over the counters is to cover imm edi-
are requirements, \but even SO, some
western centers speak of jobbers re-
and in at least one section, the north
west, renewed activity clearly is
visible, and here and there in other
parts Of the broad west, country mer-
chants are looking about. In any
event, cheerfulness in the circles Of
retail trade is more marked, sales
have broadened, buying of holiday
gifts has expanded, and maiI-order
houses report an increasing volume
of business. A generally good hol-
day trade is looked for. Large pur-
chases of foodstuffs, either for feed
ing the stricken peoples of Europe or
for provisioning the army overseas,
have been made. With the lifting of
governmental restrictions new build
ing has started, substitutes for wheat
are in diminished use, -four mills are
working at capacity, manufacturers
of confectionery are pleased with the
prospects of getting back to a peace
basis, the automobile trade is much
more cheerful, and manufacturers of
jeWelry are better circumstanced than
for some time past. Lumber inter
ests, while somewhat concerned about
the immediate future, are satisfied
with the lifting of EN- bargoeS, are
disposed to expect much from renewed
domestic building and bank greatly
on the potentials of export trade.
Still, the fact that the authorities have
already Cancelled Wal orders inVolv
! ing S1,817,0OO, 1000 cannot be obscured.
Supplies of fuel are better, in fact
| plentiful in many points, and in the
west coal cars are in excess of needs.
| There. is talk OF scarcity east, how
ever. Railway traffic is heavy, but
loadings are lighter, probably be-
! cause the Individual car under the
new regime is made to carry more.
Labor is in larger supply, many men
having been released from war work,
but the process making for absorp-
ton in the pursuits Of>peace are go
| ing on in orderly fashion, and thus
| far workers have not toned down their
| ideas as to wages. Money is In good
! demand, and though rates continue
! firm, some points indicate that sup
| plies of funds give signs of increas-
! ing. Collections are good, though
payments by the south tend to lag,
the movement to hold cotton being
a temporary drawback. The stock
market, chatting under credit restric-
tons, presents an easier undertone
and little else than professional trad
ing New capital issues bearing at
tractive rates are readily absorbed.
Rarely, if ever before has the pros
pect for winter wheat appeared so
good as it does this fall. just before
~.