Evening star., 1921-10-29
Special Dispatch to The Star.

special Dispatch To lie star.
NEW YORK, October 29.-That well
used line There will be no strike to-
night" always was good for a round Of
applause in the days of the old melo
dramas, and the decision to call off the
railroad strike was received in circles
throughout the country with its due
need of enthusiasm. Now, however. the
audience of the business world is set
tling back in its seats deeply intent
on what the next act will bring forth
with regard to the reduction of freight
rates.
For the reduction Of transportation
charges carries "A far deeper interest
with business and industry than the
possibility of a temporary railroad tie
up, no matter how complete. Business
dispatches received within the last
strong feeling that even had the strike
become a reality the struggle would
not have been long drawn out. whereas
the complete return OF trade commerce
and industry to normal prosperity cam
not be accomplished until freight rates
have come down.
The preparations for a possible strike
did not upset business. Some lines,
such as coal and fuel. We're stimulated
to a certain extent. Plans in some other
lines were held in allegiance for a time,
but with the strike menace out of the
toned channels and with increasing
volume.
Betterment Is General.
Betterment in conditions is being con-
stantly noted throughout the country,
and this increase in production, distri-
button and sale has ceased to be noted
in single lines alone. Recovery now has
of activity have given way to steady
Increase Of pace. There still are a few
dark spots in the business firmament,
but they are few and far between.
This trend is perhaps as well eX-
emplified in furniture AS in any other
line. For many months the furniture
trade failed to respond either to ad-
vertiSing or price reductions. Now,
however. furniture manufacturers are
unable to keep deliveries up with
their orders, and are adding to their
pay rolls and increasing their produc-
ton limits.
The position of the wool market
has bettered all over the country, in
spite of the fact that the Australian
clip will begin to arrive shortly. Me
dunn grades are in demand at good
prices and the American Woolen
Company is said to have bought large
amounts of these woods within the
last week.
shoes in Active Demand.
Shoes are in active demand and in
many sections production is being
limited only by capacity. Many fac
tories have sufficient orders booked
ahead to assure capacity production
well into next year. This activity has
had correspondingly encouraging
effect on the leather market. The
drug trade has started on what gives
every appearance of being real re-
vival after a period of extreme dull
ness.
Lumber continues to advance stead
lily in price, with southern pine in
especial demand Exports of lumber
are increasing and the foreign orders
are including ties In large quantities.
The paper industry, which has been
stagnant for some time. is brighten
ing up. Domestic demand is increaS-
ing steadily and considerable paper
is being booked for shipment to for
eign countries through American
ports.
Building on Increase.
Building is on the increase. and that
fact Is emphasized by the awakening
demand for hardware and tools which
had failed to move in any quantities
for many months. Building costs are
decreasing somewhat and conStruc-
tion is being encouraged by every
possible means.
Buying of oil is maintaining its
pace and drilling operations are be-
ing resumed in a dozen different fields
with consequent demand for pipe and
machinery. The steel companies con-
tinue to increase output. with some
excellent orders in prospect.
Most significant of all. however, is
the steady. dependable increase in re-
tail trade. which gives added point TO
the statements that unemployment is
on the decrease. This buying still is
conservative, notably so in the grain
growing states, but 1t is undoubtedly
nm tho noend