The sun., 1919-11-02

seriously hampered production. and tho
report from District No. is to the ef-
feet that it's influence has been on
steadily declining scale. Certain dis
tricts and plants from the beginning
were able to maintain their organiza-
tons almost intact. and in other cases
the detection was not of proportions to
cripple general operations.
'On the other hand, serious labor diff
ficulties in New York, prominently
among the longshoremen and in the
printing trades, have resulted In exten-
sive unemployment. Hopeful Indication
in the labor difficulty is the fact that In
some districts a smaller number of ac-
tual strikes or a smaller number of men
out Of work as a result of strikes Is re-
ported
Summing up district labor situations
1t would appear that in the New Eng
land region there Is no general or seri-
Gus dislocation of working relationships,
although there is unusual caution among
employers, while in Philadelphia but
little disturbance has been experienced.
Conditions in the South are fairly sat-
sfactory, while in Minneapolis and the
Northwest there is full employment at
good wages.
Unrest exists IN New York and Chi
cago. while the labor situation in the
Southwest and on the Pacific Coast Is
still unsettled, although some controver-
sizes hertt fore in progress are now ap-
parently approaching adjustment or are
actually disposed OF.
Commodity Prices Lower.
Commodity prices show recession
from the high levels reached during Au-
gust The general index number of tho
Bureau of Labor Statistics stands at 221
for the month of September as compared
with the revised figure of 226 for Au-
guHt a decrease of 2.6 per cent. While
there is a widespread belief that the peak
OF prices has been reached, in certain
quarters no great declines in the near
future are anticipated. but rather COM
paratlve stability.
'In agriculture there has been a fur
ther increase in estimated yield of corn
as against small decreases for spring
wheat and oats. Both wheat and oats
show low yield per acre and the quality
is poor
mo abatement in general manufac-
turing is noted The cotton yarn mar
ket continues firm with inquiries nu-
merous. 1t is reported that cotton mill
output is contracted for up to the close
of the year and that considerable orders
are being booked for 1920.
THE raw wool market continues quiet
with prices of high grade woods firm.
Lack of interest in low grade woods con-
tinues rejecting absence of public de-
mand for low priced fabrics
THE hide and leather markets have
been relatively quiet and the upwar rd
movement of prices appears to have been
checked
"Ohlclal figures for September show
a decrease to S161, 100 900 in the export
balance from the cure of $33S, 100000
for August. This is the lowest figure for
any month since July. 1911 Accompa-
900 900 in exports was an increase OF
$12S, 900 in imports.
"In the stock market the present
month has been characterized by a con-
tinuance of the speculative activity
which commenced during the last week
in September. and price advances have
occurred. Bond prices have shown a
tendency to rise, the returning strength
of high grade railroad bonds being espe-
cially mark I'd Transactions in Liberty
bonds have been heavy, and they have
led the rise IN the general investment
market.
THE banking situation continues to be
regarded as sound though need of eau
ton in loan expansion is emphasized in
certain quarters particularly in view of
heavy seasonal requirements for funds
and the high price levels now prevailing.
Credit and collection conditions are good
and failures, while showing an Increase
for September over those for the two
previous months. continue unprecedent-
edly small and few"