Evening star., 1921-03-31
Reported Price Reductions
Cover a Wide Scope in N. Y.
BY JAMES ALLERTOI
,ecial DISPATCH to The Star

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, March 31.-The Fed
eral Reserve Bank for the second
district. which embraces the state of
New York. the western end of Con-
necticut and the northern counties
of New Jersey, issued today its
monthly review of business condi-
tions in the district 1t gives sta
tistical details of the situation which
emphasize the estimates that have
been given in these dispatches. al
though these details naturally do not
cover as recent a period.
In the city itself the review meas
ureS the volume of net sales during
February as 1 per cent smaller than
during the same month of 1920. In
the district outside the city the val va,
ume was 9k per cent larger. The
number of transactions in the city
was IL per cent larger and in the
district outside the city IS per cent
| larger. From the beginning of the
year there was a comparative de-
the city and a comparative increase
of 1a per cent for the district out
side the city
Other communities WILL perhaps,
find more of interest, if not of signifi-
canoe in the measure of the decrease
IN prices reflected in the review. In
the city this is shown to be 16ia per
cent, in the district outside the city,
% per cent. and for the district, as a
whole, Is per cent. This estimate is
reached by comparative statements of
stocks on hand. and since these stocks
are measured by their selling price,
the percentages are said by the bank
to represent lower prices rather
than reduction in the actual number
of articles"
Volume of Business Improves,
Since the review is based upon re-
ports by department stores, the de-
crease in prices will be seen to cover
a wide scope, and for that reason may
be taken as perhaps the most impor-
tant statement upon this vitally inter-
estlng topic that has been made this
the bank says:
"A further explanation of large
sales is found in the type of purchases
being made. Merchants report that
sales of mems and women's apparel are
running well ahead of last years sales.
wardrobes. Housefurnishing goods
and pianos and other musical instru-
ments are not in as great demand as
last year. The increase in stocks dur
ing FEBRUARY was not as large as dur
ing the corresponding month last year
because OF the tendency on the part of
retailers to buy only for immediate
needs. Thus far department. stores
have not, to any considerable extent.
contracted ahead for fall goods to be
shipped late in the summer.
Business Notes.
NEW YORK, March 31.-with sew
eral American delegations in Mexico
and good will" commission of
Mexicans touring this country. the
possibilities of the Mexican field
for trade are receiving an unusual
amount of attention. The good will
commission is endeavoring to obtain
a large American representation at
the international trade conference. to
be held in Mexico City, June 20 to 26.
The international conference is ar
ranged by the confederation Of Mex
lean chambers of commerce. 1t is
claimed that Mexico is the one bright
spot in the export situation. Eighty
per cent OF Mexico's imports come
from the United States, and members
of the commission say they not only
want to maintain that ratio. but to
increase it. The American exporter
was presented with the Mexican
market by the war, it may be said,
and it is distinctly up to the export
ers to perpetuate the advantage they
now enjoy. Credit requirements. it is
banking laws are now before the
Mexican congress.
X
NEW YORK, March 31.-High prices
of American products are halting pur-
chases by foreign buyers now in this
country. according to statements
made here today. This is especially
true Of American manufactured silks.
One British buyer declared New York
prices were entirely out of reach of
the English houses. He said he had
seen some beautiful silks in America,
silks that would make a strong ap-
peal to the British public. but the
prices OF these silks had put ali
thought Of purchase out of his head.
X
NEW YORK. March 31-Announce-
ment was made today that the price
OF all orchestra seats for the forth
coming production of claire de-
Lune." in which Ethel and John
Barrymore will appear, will be IS.
marking the first time that such a
fee has been charged for regular