Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-06-30
THE BUSINESS SITUATION.

THE BUSINESS SITUATION.
Duns. discussing the business situ-.
alton and prospects fails to find the
usual seasonal influences sufficiently
explanatory Of the shrink. Transpor-
tation and labor difficulties, none
tary restriction and price uncertain
ties are offered as prevailing causes.
These are elements that have lately
combined. with some other phases, to
appreciably curtatl commercial trans
actions, and the prevailing lull. in
View of Its causes. may prove to be
more than a passing development.
That fundamental economic chang
es are in progress. differing at bot
tom from those which have been wit
messed on previous occasions since
the wars ending. is not only demon
strated by movements in some lead
ing trades and Industries, but also by
the reversal of sentiment among both
sellers and buyers. and by statistics
Of bank clearings and failures. The
business adjustment. moreover. Is not
confined to any one section Of the
country, although perhaps more APP
parent in tho East than elsewhere,
and the price declines which are a
part Of it are clearly not limited to
tho reduction sales at retail.
| That the main trend of wholesale
markets Is also downward 10 evil
denced by pun's list of quotations.
which again disclose more recessions
than advances. and the continued
distnclination OF many interests to
commit themselves extensively for
the future is largely based on ex-
pectations OF further price reduction
to follow. While the sudden and sharp
fall of prices Of some commodities. NJ
Of raw silk and raw wool. may not
be duplicated In other lines, yet each
week adds to the indications Of yield
ing, which may. later spread to food
products If present prospects for
abundant grain crops are realised.
Br.cfed reports to Dun's from ieau-
ing centers bear out the agency's
CONCLUSIONS q Fl g
Z @Phiia delphie II Manufacturers and
fwholesaSeTs of mems and Womcn's
clothing state that sales have fallen
| OF. and some houses report the re-
ceipt Of cancellations Of orders. Sim
liar conditions prevail in footwear.
On the other hand, hardware. electri-
cal and plumbing specialties. glass.
cement, paints. oilA wallpaper. rum-
ber, bricks, and all kinds of building
materials are in good request.
| Boston-There has been no I'M
provement in the commercial and In
dustrial situation, ~ q whole. Mills
land factories, in most instances. are
running part time. or are entirely
shut down. Business at Wholesale
and retail is OF moderate volume.
Buffalo Retail trade II reported
in fair volume. and q general mark
down In prices Of wearing apparel
continues. Wholesale buyers continue
to show considerable hesitancy In
placing orders for 1ururo delivery.
altho trade. on the whole, Is reported
fair.
Characterization thruout this Sec
ton report much better sales of sum
mer goods, due to favorable weather
and whoiesalers note an increasing
attendance Of visiting buyers. 81
ST Paul Merchants are bnyin1
cautiously. and general business z
somewhat below that Of this period
last year. ~
Los Angeles - Retail trade 'condi-
lions have been marked by uncer-
tainty for some time past. particular
| " 40 relates to luxues and articles OF
apparel for both mon and women.
San Francisco-a General conditions
have not shown great deal OF I'M
proyement The tightening OF the
money market has quite seriously az
fected various branches Nof trade. In
lautomobile circles, It Is stated that
there are more automobiles In ware
houses than In many months. Inabil-
lity on the part Of dealers to float
automobile paper has prevented the
release of cars from warehouses.
L