Evening star., 1919-05-04
TRADE CONDITIONS
SHOW NO CHANGE
Iron and Steel Industries at
StandstiII Due to Price
Controversy.
BETTER EXPORT OUTLOOK
Special Dispatch to The Star.

virtually at a standstill, pending the
settlement of the price controversy.
The small new business passing is
wholly for prompt shipment and
represents a scant quarter Of the
producing capacity. Some of the
larger producers. working on old
orders, are running at one-half to
so per cent capacity. while smaller
interests that have no unified orders
are operating at quarter capacity or
slightly more.
Dry goods markets generally con-
tinue active, with the tone growing
still stronger in some instances,
notably in woolen goods. Some of
the larger cotton goods buyers are
not taking hold freely at the ad-
vance. but many jobbers are placing
that many lines may be sold out ere
long. and uneasiness as to prompt
deliveries is growing as result of
labor troubles and other obstacles to
capacity production.
Export Outlook Improves.
The export outlook shows further
as a result of the re-
moval of the enemy black list. Dis
as a hindrance in some sections. while
the inadequate supply OF ocean ton
mage is curtailing the export move
ment of many lines, although the
shipments of foodstuffs continue of
enormous volume.
There has been little animation in
the copper market. Leading producers
report small sales at 1oA cents T. o. D..
and there is believed to be prac-
tically nothing available under that
figure. smaller dealers, who had been
accepting y and 4 less, being prac-
tically sold out.
The only raw sugar purchase re-
ported was 376.000 bags Cubas. With
ali centrals still grinding. the Cuban
crop movement continues large Con-
gestion is growing more serious OF
plantations and at the ports. Port
Speedy relief is looked for, as large
number of steamers have been allot-
ted Exports were larger, especially
to the United States.
Early fall orders placed by retailers
with the manufacturers Of mems
clothing indicate that the season will
be, one of the greatest in volume OF
sales the trade ever has known. Al
most without exception the retailers
have cast aside the hand-to-mouth
buying policy and are placing orders
as soon as they can for the bulk OF
the merchandise they will require to
carry them through the fall and win
ter.
Shoe Dealers Place Large Orders.
Retailers are placing orders with
manufacturers and wholesalers for
what are considered fairly large
stocks Of fall shoes Of all kinds. With
the prospects Of lower prices for next
seasons footwear being dispelled by
the attitude of the manufacturers at
their recent meeting in Boston, the re-
tailers now are anxious to cover their
probable requirements. -
Because retailers are well stocked
with rubber footwear that was not
sold during the unusually mild win
ter, manufacturers of these goods
are making strong drive to develop
foreign markets for their 1919 pro-
Der goods manufacturing concerns
have had selling agents abroad for
some time to build up this business,
but recently comparatively smaller
concern has sent it's representatives
to Europe in an. effort to find an out
remained unchanged since the hrst
OF the year, manufacturers realizing,
tbs said. that even reductions would
not encourage tho retailer further to
burden themselves with stock.
Fall. Line Of Carpets Withdrawn.
A number of manufacturers have
withdrawn their fall lines of carpets
and rugs at the prices named at the
opening of the season, just a month
ago.
Every manufacturer and large SELL
er Of carpets and rugs this week
their customers that advances are
necessary In. view OF the increased
cost Of yarns and labor. and because
of the fact that the requirements of
the 5obbers and retailers are in OK
cess Of the possible output of the
mills.
Tho added charges made by some
concerns are said to. be about Z
par cent on selling prices quoted by
them April l.. A few concerns in
figures have effected an advance
through decreasing or entirely elim-
mating the discounts previously of.
fered the jobbers and large depart
ment stores.
AS the selling season progresses 1t
becomes more and more noticeable
that a greater percentage of tho finer
grades Of carpets and rugs are de-
for the coming fall season
than possibly was the case any pre-
vious year in the business.
Fewer Business Failures.
For April the record of business
as compiled by r. G.. Dun
& Co.. discloses only 643 com
defaults in. the United States, |
involving $11,46o.4s2 Of liabilities. In
this has heretofore been made since
returns were first prepared !
by the Dun agency in 1894.
From March of last year there was
an unbroken decline in number Of
failures until December, when mod nod
year the tendency has. been almost
downward, and the number |
Of April insolvencies is eighty-six !
below that Of March. Included in the |
April failures were 174 for $6:107,l71
in manufacturing lines; 319 for 81.
S09,S6l in trading occupations, and so |
with liabilities of, $2,033,430 among |
agents. brokers and other concerns
not properly included in either OF the |
two leading classifcations. |
Corn Market Erratic.
Erratic and violent changes occur |
red in the corn market early In the |
counts led to innumerable advances |
and recessions. At the start there |
was q stronger trend. but suddenly |
great depression obtained, prices de- |
clinfng in q sensational way. Occa- |
much Decentralization was no |
ticeable. \
Some idea Of this may be formed
from the fact that on Monday July |
was as high as $1.70A. and by early !
Wednesday had fallen to $1.51K, or
20 cents in three days. While part
Of the early weakness was clearly |
traceable to valid or legitimate in
auences. the collapse afterward was |
regarded with much suspicion by !