The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-11-01
UNREST TEMPERS
TRADE OPTIMISM
Labor Restlessness Casts '0n
Outlook Shadow Which
Is Deepening.
PRICES HAVE ADVANCED
Evidences Of Contraction Of
Retail Trade Show Plainly
in Sections.
PRICES HAVE ADVANCED

That the present labor unrest. coming
deepening shadow over the economic
outlook and tempers the optimism en-
gcndered by present business activity in
many quarters, is asserted in a trade re-
view. issued to-day. Another review
declares that finance, trade and indus
try have displayed really remarkable
steadiness and equanimity considering
the nature of the blow aimed at the
country's Industrial life. A.
~Brddstreet's will say to-day In part
Except at a few strike ridden commu-
mites, notably New York city. some
coal mining sections and few>of the
smaller steel centres, where reduced
wage payments are affecting some lines.
retail buying does not seem to have been
affected materially and at the great ma
jority of cities purchasing continues
active with some noting cool weather as
stimulating trade, while others report
that excessive rains and bad roads, nota-
bly, West and South, slow things little.
In wholesale and jobbing lines the report
is practically q clean sheet as regards
good trade, and the only complaint is
one of delayed receipts of supplies OF
goods or materials adequate for existing
demand Owing to the possibilities of
reduced fuel supplies affecting output.
the country's industries show perhaps the
most concern, this because large addi-
tional demands are reported piling up on
already filled order books. Complaints
Of labor scarcity and inefflciency pre-
venting manufacturers equalling outputs
Of others years come as heretofore.
Prices Have strengthened.
prices have strengthened quite no
ticeably, sharpest increases being In
basic supplies such as pig iron. semi
finished steel and coke. but Il Is worth
noting that the possibilities of retarded
or checked receipts Of foods and animals
from the farms have resulted In slightly
higher prices of leading foods at whole
sale Groceries have stiffened on larger
buying, and 30 also have cotton goods, In
which renewed activity has developed
at big primary markets. Raw cotton
has advanced sharply, but for reasons
bad crop reports, due to three weeks or
a months rains In some eections-not
connected with the coal strike. while to-
bacco at some primary markets has
reached unprecedented price levels on
short crop reports. With few exceptions,
however, the general price movement
|
response Of the markets to the demands
of labor for a still larger share of the
profits alleged to lie in the present &C
tive trade and industrial situation. Such
an immediate reflection OF the fact that
labor costs are the basis of much of the
prevailing high level OF all values has
rarely before been afforded"
Dun's Reviep says in part: with
some strikes reaching a settlement and
others apparently nearing q conclusion.
the situation would be less disturbing II
fresh troubles were not constantly aris-
ing or IL there were definite assurance
that more stable conditions would soon
be witnessed. Yet demands for adjust
ments In wages and hours of employ
ment have continued in manufacturing
and mercantile channels and prospects
have not been improved by the menace
of a walkout among bituminous coal
miners and the possibility OF still greater
| inconvenience to the country5 industries.
| workers Have Less Buying Power.
THE disorganization which results
| from the many existing controversies
and the decreased efficiency of labor not
alone seriously restricts production and
tends to advance prices by further de-
pleting already meagre stocks of various
|
chasing power of thousands of workers,
and evidences of a contraction Of retail
trade are more plainly discernible In
some sections.
while distribution to consumers se-
mains remarkably heavy. with demands
| for the costliest goods conspicuous Tea
| ture in many instances, yet buying has
somewhat abated in localities where
strikes have been of protracted duration
and dispatches from parts of the Pacific
coast. where operations at the saipyards
have been interrupted, indicate q smaller
movement of high priced merchandise
The prevailing condition, however, con-
ltinues one of inability to fully meet re
auirements. and many sellers are select
ing, rather than soliciting. their custom
ers, and find allotment of supplies neces-
sary. So long as labor unrest Is present
In aggravated form, with a consequent
| Limitation of outputs, the scarcity of
goods will not be quickly remedied. nor
] - NN 1aLa In