Evening star., 1921-10-22
Special Dispatch to The Star.

! special OepAtcu U 1ue otaT.
NEW YORK. October 22.-The auto
mobile business is approaching the
railroad crossing well under control.
Business men do not expect to find
that crossing blocked by a long-con-
| tinued strike, but they are taking no
chances of running INTO an lYnmov-
able obstacle. Meanwhile. the brakes
! have been appliea-iighl,y it Is true
and that retardlng pressure will be
! maintained on the wheels of indus.
| trial progress until settlement of
| the railroad controversy Is arrived at.
Business dispatches received wi ,hln
! brought conf1rmatory evidence to that
| effect.
| The attitude taken by men in every
spnlre Of business and Industrial ac-
| civity wi. regard TO possible rail-
! road tie-up is Conclusive proof OF the
certainty of business betterment.
Three months ago bank RS merchants.
| manufacturers, farmers and their em-
rioyes would have worn long faces
, at such a prospect and the country
| would have r.sounded with predic-
iions Of depression. Now, however,
! the recovery attained i'm most lines
| has strengthened faith in the future
and confirmed the belief that it Is
needless for any business man to
l nClleT DelOTe ne lS
Although business in general has
slowed aown, some buying has been
stimulated by preparations against
! possible shortage of commodities.
Manufacturers have been pressed for
delivery of some goods already con-
ing replenished in many lines. The
coal industry, perhaps, has felt this
emergency buying more promptly
than the others. Coal shipments are
increasing, demand for domestic
socks by hous eholders has broaoened
aters and public utility companies
have laid in reserve supplies.
Stocked With Raw Stuns.
Many manufacturing industries are
sufficiently stocked with raw ma
terials and fuel to face a tie-up OF
six weeks or two months without
discomfort or serious curtailment.
City and federal authorities have
taken account of food supplies and
made preparations to counteract Sc
rious shortage.
The transportation situation has
changed in late years and men en-
gagged in merchandising lines in the
cities are depending confidently on
the ability of automobile truck lines
to relieve their pressing needs. The
interurban truck lines declare it is
possible for them to triple their pres
ent capacity IL necessary and thou
sands of motor veh .cles are ready
for instant service. The parcel post
system also will be extensively used
If the situation demands.
In general, the brighter business
outlook has been maintained. Lumber
prices are advancing steadily, and
! demand has increased SO that even
increased production has not kept
pace with it. The advance in the
priceS of crude oil have continued and
have been followed by corresponding
increases in prices of refined prod
ucts. and renewed development oper-
ations. The steel mills are increas-
! ing production an dadding to their
pay rolls.
The te ,tile trades are in splendid
! position. The largest producer of
| wooden cloth, the American Woolen
| Company, is operating more machin-
cry than ever before in its history.
Knitting mills are running full blast.
| and many of the cotton mills are
| production is booming. The factories
are taking on more men. and the de-
mand from certain sections of the
! country is so great that manufac-
}turers have been unable to keep up
with deliveries.
! Shoe factories are approaching ca
| pacity production. and many would
| be working at an even higher rate if
| they could obtain more skilled opera
| tives. Increased activity is reported
| in the paper trades. in drugs. stoves
auto accessories. overalls and other
varied lines. The automobile busi-
i ness has not suffered a winter slump
as the demand for closed cars has
kept the factories well occupied.
| The credit situation remains cep-
! tionally good, and collections have
! '~proved steadily.