Evening star., 1920-05-30
PROGRESS OF TRADE
IN GENERAL SENSE
Special Reference to Condi.
tions in Various Sections
of the Country.
From May Report, Research Department of
Credit Clearing House.

From May Report. Research Department of
Credit Clearing House.
The May report of The Credit Clear
ing House, computed from over 100000
actual transactions between whole
saler and retailer representing in val
ues over 100000. 900, shows the ac-
tivity in purchases only slightly less
in number but very much lower in
both quantity and cash values.
During the past month the country
as a whole shows almost a complete
Transformation of the sellers mark ct
into a buyers market. the large. cen.
ters feeling the change to the great
est extent.
Indebtedness is not great, because
the very short terms upon which busi-
ness has been running for the past
two years has kept. this phase of
ment activities haze not declined as
fast as quantity purchase, there is
little indication Of any great advance
Of indebtedness for some time to
come. -
Payments are most. active in the
smaller communities, the larger cen>
ters being much more affected by fh1
apparent determination on the part
of, the consumer to withhold pur.
chhsing until more attractive prices
are quoted. --1--
Public Looks for Greater Reduction.
The many sales widely advertised
for the past two or three weeks nave
not had as much patronage as might
have been expected, for the pub!ic
evidently believes there will pc
greater cuts in the near future.
The Pacific coast section has main
tanned a very high average purchase
and good payment activity, but the
indebtedness appears TO be constantly
rising. -.
Orders for future delivery from this
section are few in comparison wlth
ceiyed have capcellation. and price
agreements: this is to some extept
hazardous to both buyer and seller;
General conditions throughout the
section are reported as fair to gooo'
money seems easy SO far as the con-
sumner is concerned anu, WINE n;ne unSm-
ployment is not great, 1t IS pecomlhs
noticeable in a number OF trades.
. The mountain section, which for the
ma st half year has greatly oVercome
the depression caused Dy tne Iapor
troubles OF 1917 and 19lS,'.is nam
tanning fair activities in all phases
of merchandising.
heavy as the consumption would war
Indebtedness is slightly increased.
hut is still less than the purchase IN
crease might naturally cause II 10 De-
PAYMENTS Are Liberal.
PAYMENTS are very active in some
parts of the section. while others are
Just about holding their own
The consumer is buying freely Wnat
:. needed but few luxuries are NOV
ing. although little unemploymen rs
reported. As in most other sections
Of the country there is nesitatfon IN
spending at this time.
The north agricultural Sectlon
shows q decline both numericany tho tho
cron outlook is better than during the
eariy months of the year. Acreage
will be smaller in wheat, but neaviet
crop Of hardy products IS looked ior.
There has been q steady decline IN
indebt edness. which Is lareey uuS
to the conservative purcnats,tns % t,,a =, ot ot
merchants in this sectio" ioi 'e
PAYMENTS are steady. but not more
.ctiva than in corresponding perioos
Of the past four years.
A general feeling of hesitancy Is ~
dicated in the figures. ana mo- - Is LII n.
nIac.d hy merchants in this section.
Some cancellations are reported, put
this is not general.
Eastern Merchant Cautious.
The east section merchant mas
largely stopped buying except IN css y
70 nacessity. Widely advertised cuts
~ oil lines of merchandise are steaa-
;iv increasing, and they are met pS
NC eno Housing conditions are no
doubt the cause Of this general apathy
on the part of the public n',,. 19r re.S vseS
W. W. resr In merchandise purchases.
'i indebtedness in the section is, low
and nayments are active. The gen
eral situation is practically at =
standstill and the future outiooA 10
uncertain.