Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-06-01
TRADE CONDITIONS
STILL IMPROVING
Reserve Bank Chairman Re
ports Greater Activity and
Downward Price Trend
IRON INDUSTRY sTAeNANT

worsteds, as we'll as on speciality and
semi speciality grades of shoes. are de-
clinins, according to Richard l.. Austin,
Federal Reserve agent and chairman Of
the Federal Reserve Bank Of Philadel-
phia. In his monthly review Of the
business and financial conditions Of this
section there is much cheer.
Collections In every industry in this
district, according to the report, are
fair or good, except in the iron, steel
and coke trades. Prices are tending
downward, save in silk hosiery, upper
leather, raw skins and hides.
Mr.. Austin comments on the severe
declines In prices of raw materials from
peak prices, but points out that the
relations OF commodities to pre- war
prices are by no means in agreement.
Reductions IN wages have been ac-
cepted for the most part, but at least
four important strikes are going on In
this district as a result of attempts to
reduce wages" the review states.
Hosiery Workers Out
These include the full-fashioned
hosiery workers, the printers, the car
pet weavers and the building trades.
have added to tbo;r nersonneI
'Indications NJ a slockeninu in retai,
sales. which yvero ro,;ceJ after tbe AZ =
ceptiouajly octive Faster SEASON are
now more pronounced. During April,
net sales, In terms Of dollars. were
A per cent less than in the same month
of 1920, and the unreasonable weather
of May has so interfered with retail
business that many stores report o
greater decrease for the hrst two weeks
OF this month: decreased business III
W no means tne unlVersal report, now
ever, 1or the ngures OF many stores
reveal considerable gains over the totals
OF last year; This Is especially true
OF those establishments that nave con-
ducted intensive advertising campaigns.
THE buying policy of retailers has
undergone marked change in recent
weeks. whereas the purchasing OF prac :
tlcaily al hrms was connned exclusively
10 tne satlslactlon OF immediate require
Inents, many merchants are now In the
riarket 1or tali goods'
Agricultural Conditions Fair
"Aori,r,trro, oo,a;.,o,. .bro,oho,,
tbe district an. tonorabia exoont 60,
e the damono ] J hre a'a, ia tr;t os rActp' Id oIi
weather earlier in the spring. A re-
nIantnd Ia ronortod ;rono some comnt;os
hut tbe acreage of other crons ;s esti >
mated at present to be about normal
",,.L.,ah sas.a.,s asa.
ear, AaIhouen ie uolnestlc consumers ar.
n.ns. SUI Sow 10 purcnase ~ haru cGai a'
lfes' PeSeh. h pliJes, .he oroers p,aGed uurlns
Mas a ua'e shTwh cons consioeraoie increase
over tue 'o,ai lor april
The estimates made BY. the United
states theological Survey OF consumers
o'oTss J;as,o o. sol. coz on nanu Aprn i Wee w
a. . Iis..nS' suIpIise 10 uealers' tor tney
inuIca'ed that these reserves Wer" tai
;arger man was tnought possible. II
Is apparent, however; that consumers In
general, ana especially industrial con
sumers; nave been drawing, upon Their
stocks for at least part of their current
supply.
Demand for metaImrgicaI coke il
still low, and beehive coke ovens in the
Connellsvile district are operating al
less than one fifth of capacity. The
estimate of beehive coke production for
the week ending April so was 72 600