The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-12
REPORTS OF TRADE I
MORE OPTIMISTIC
Immediate Business Conditions
Are Showing Gradual and
Steady Improvement.
FUTURE GROWS BRIGHTER
No Serious Unsettlement in
REIMBURSEMENT of Industry,
Says Review.
GROWS BRIGHTER

Although there is gradual ana
steady Improvement in immediate bust
ness conditions, the prospects for the
future assume an even brighter aspect,
according to the weekly trade reviews,
which are more optimistic than ever.
There is no serious unssttIement In the
readjustment through which the whole
industry OF the country is passing, says
Dpn's Rcrietc, and even in instances OF
radical price adjustments "the shock
has been borne with a gratifying meas
ure Of stability"
at is clear now. as in tho recent
past" says that review, that prospects
for business are better than actual con:
ditions, though the latter steadily, II
gradually, improve. Some features are
so encouraging as to overshadow those
elements which seem doubtful. and con
fldence, in spite OF every adverse infu-
ence maintains a distinct advance. The
phenomenal status OF the winter wheat
crop which should run far beyond all
precedent in size and value. not only
produces a buoyant feeling in agricul-
tural circles but strengthens trade SEN
timent the country over and affords
tangible basis for healthy national pros
perity. That business, while still sub
jected to delays and inconveniances. 10
passing through readtustment without
serious unsettlement, the first Quarter's
failure statistics have plainly dcrnon-'
strated. Even where there have boon
drastic revisions of prices from the
greatly inflated levels, as in texti,es. ehs
shock has been borne with a gratifying
measure of stability.
1T is factors such as these which
serve to Offset the disappointing results
in those lines where divergent views
about prices remain an obstacle to prog
ress as In the important iron and steel
industry, or where other problems a.
yet unsurmounted tend to prevent the
vigorous peace time expansion that
seems warranted by the strong underly-
ing conditions OF faith in further re
covery from the economic repression that
followed the wars ending, there is an
abundance, but the existing situation ~
one which, although clearly OF high
promise. not unnaturaily .compels con-
servatism and caution. and there 10 10
marked speculative discounting of the
future"
There Is an unevenness discerrible IN
the course of spring trade compared with
that of industry generally. according to
Brddstreets state of Trade. Two con-
trary currents run through the trade
and industrial reports to BrGdstreers
Journal" 1t says Ordinarily distribu-
tive trade. stimulated by spring influ-
ences. perfect winter wheat crop cordi-
tions. extraordinary prices present ana
prospective for farm produce. past ex-
cellent industrial and agricultural earn
ings and the return of hundreds of thou
sal ds Of soldiers to private life with
money In their pockets, shows further
expansion. despite Indictment weather
and bad roads in some sections.
Buying from wholesalers for fall is
rather more confident. and while there
are evidences Of conservatism due 70
price reduction talk the reductions 20
far made are not up to expectations As
for some time past consumptive demand
seems to single out lines which have
been under the ban of war necessity,
hence millinery. women's wear OF all
kinds, mems clothing jewelry. automo-
biles and musical instruments are active.
Shoes, prices for which show no real re-
ducton, staple and fancy dry goods and
raw wool are being taken in better vol
ume and there are reports of increased
activity by textile mills, especially in
Northern areas.
Southern cotton mills are however
reported 10 be running at reduced rates
OF speed Food prices have apparently
parted company with other commodities
so far as the March movemnt 10 oon-
cerned, the former advancing while
manufactured and raw products tend
lower. The Weekly Food linden shows
further advance, with meats and msat
animals showing marked strength and
hogs reaching new high price"