The sun., 1919-04-05
GENERAL TRADE Is
, MORE CONFIDENT
Operations Are Expanding
and Activity Is Broadening
in Many Lines.
COLLECTIONS ARE GOOD
Wholesalers and Jobbers Are
Busy and Retailers Are En-
larging Business.
COLLECTIONS ARE GOOD

Operations are expanding and activ-
ity Is broadening in many lines Of in
dustry> with the passing Of every week
of late. There is a greater display OF
confidence in virtually all branches.
Such arc the features of the trade and
industrial situation. according to Dun's
Weekly Revteto.
with full recognition OF the uncertain
state Of the highly important iron and
steel industry. due to differences over
the price question" says that review,
at is nevertheless clear that business
had added something to its recent re-
covery The growth OF confidence. which
is nearly everywhere manifest seems
greater than the expansion OF actual
operations. but activity broadens with
each keek's passing and Is, moreover,
supported by substantial contributions
to the list OF helpful factors. While
obstacles to the promotion Of overseas
commerce still exist, export prospects In
some quarters have been appreciably en-
HANGED by the further removal of war
time restrictions and new opportunities
for the extension of American enterprise
abroad are not infrequently making their
appearance,
with many domestic concerns that
had been completely or largely engaged
on Government worl, turning to other
channels of production and with prices
OF some commodities at less inflated
position, the whole economic situation
steadily assumes a more natural aspect.
and the benefits are beginning to show In
a business development which. while still
gradual and checkered, promises to he
the more lasting because it does not re-
suit from artificial stimulus. No section
Of the country has a monopoly on i'm
proving conditions, but advices from
parts Of New England are especially
conspicuous by reason of a recent dis
tinct change for the better and reports
from the Pacific Northwest. where the
crop outlook is almost ideal ard export
lumber trade gaining, are among the
most favorable of the week.
"One OF the best features Is that per-
oentage of idle textile machinery.
through increase of mill orders and ad-
justment of some labor controversies,
Is diminishing. but encouraging indica-
tons such as these are qualified by re-
duced activities at iron and steel estab
lishments."
Some irregularity is shown in general
trade. says Brddstreets state Of Trade.
anu BoOu IcpOi - VI puSlilcSsS are tOililIle
from Northwest, Southwest and South.
More irregularity." that periodical
states. sis shown in tho general trade
and industrial situation. with a rather
sharply defined difference in the tone of
reports from purely distrbutive trade AZ
opposed to those dealing with big pr-
| mary lines. as iron, steel. coal and kin
dred trades
I'm the former. despite weather irreg-
| nj ri fina h,t1 70 10
ras expanded Mt many points. For this
the early spring, the advance OF the
| Easter season, the fiattering returns re-
ceived by the agricultural community for
surplus grains and animals and the eX-
| cellent winter wheat crop and soil condi-
| tons in surplus producing regions seem
| responsible. Best reports rs to this
| buying come from the Northwest. the
| Southwest and parts of the South, but
| leading Eastern markets send reports o.
! Improvement especially in textile lines
I Except In part OF the Northwest gains
| over year ago are conspicuous by ah-
| sonCe, and general agreement IS that
while immediate buying Is good II is
| hardly equal to a year ago. and that for
| distant periods proceeds under caution
| bred Of feeling that lower prices may be
| expected
price concessions, while numerous.
have not been so drastic as earlier an
ticipated and the great central fact Is
! brought out again that the basic Gle
| ment, food, is strong; that new high
| levels for the season have been made
this week in wheat. wheat flour. corn
| live cattle. hogs and sheep. and that
BrddStreet's weekly food index has
again risen to a point which negatives
many OF the declines shown after mid
! December.
| briefly summarized Wholesale ard
| tobbing trade has been maintained. and
buying has seemed TO be more confident
| retail trade has enlarged slightly and
! collections are as good, past and current
| reports as TO failures showing no ten
| denCy on the part OF these indicia TO
| expand and bank clearIngs showing
maintenance of large gains over CORE
spending weeks and months OF last year
despite quieter tone of industry. fear OF