The sun., 1918-12-02
RETAIL BUSINESS
SHOWS BIG GAIN
Buyers Still Conservative, An.
ticipating Decline in
Prices.
LABOR SHORTAGE ENDS
Federal Reserve Bank Re-.
views General Conditions
Of Trade.

A gradual contraction OF busin.s,
since November 10, at which time trade
was above normal. is noted by the state.
ment on General Business Condition
issued by the Federal Reserve Bank ~
New York. Retail sales. which w.ra
somewhat restricted at that period, bt.
cause Of the Influenza epidemic and ttc
spirit of war economy, showed a decided
gain toward the end OF November, white
sales by manufacturers and jobbe-s d.
creased considerably after the e'gr,r-
OF the armistice on November IL Buy
ing continues for immediate purpose,
only. because OF the belief that a DE-
cline in prices is due In the near future
The statement says in part:
"Since the signing OF the armistce tNe
labor shortage has almost disa ppearet.
except for a very slight scarcity in me
unskilled class and of certain kinds o.
clerical workers. Many firms repor.
that former employees are reporting
back for their old Jobs and that Others
are applying for work. There Is lltt,
unemployment, however. except tina.
Just at present some workers who have
been employed away from their homes
in war plants are returning 10 see,
permanent positions.
1.-THE New York State Department o.
Labor reports that the record Angus.
payroll In the State was surpassed h.
that of September by . per cent. BIZ
that October showed a falling on O.
about per cent from the SeptemS,r
aggregate. The decline. both in nun.
Der of workers and In aggregate wage
was felt in all OF the eleven .ndustry
groups reported on, being heaviest r.
the paper and textile trades. The Co
crease WAS due primarily TO the recen,
influenza epidemic.
Trading in coffee on the Produce N.
hange has been suspended since Noven-
Der /. except for liquidation Of certain
contracts. Prices are firm and show
little change. There was no noticeabla
change in sugar. and the recent Increase
in allowance to consumers has had litt'a
effect on the demand. The demand 20
most canned goods. except tomatoeS "a
| strong. but the supply is very light i
general buying by retailers has become
| more conservative.
Building other than Government cor
struction continues to he in SINAI
amount With the lifting OF the Nmta-
ton on the production OF building M.
terial and on construction work, how.
ever, the outlook is for increased actly-
| ity. There Is a fair amount OF uncur0-
; pleted work to be finished, but Tho rea.
effect of the raising OF this limltato-
it is expected. will not be felt un..
next spring,
THE movement OF freight trano e
! fairly rapid and railroad Transportation
is generally satisfactory The average
daily loading OF cars of export trelgh:
at New York during October was ~
per cent. higher than during September.
due to the rapidly increasing volums q
| freight for the United States Govern
ment. A comparative statement OF tra'-
| 1c handled at New York for twenty-thrs0
days ending October Il shows an IL
crease Of 19.4 per cent. In the tonnage
! as against decrease OF per cent To
the number OF cars used TO carry tina;
| increased tonnage
The signing Of the nrnstice was a
| decided stmulant to interest in to7etE
trade, Offset. however. to some eI.a''
| BY limited shipping facilities and
| continued political disturbances In son
OF the foreign countries There g co..
siderable agitation just now for inpFoY'-
! ment in port and terminal facilities &C.;
! New York city"