Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-11-04
LUMBER TRADE DIVERSIFIED
Demand Comes From Az Sections Of
the Country--prioes Hardening

shV tNettNtp"h
Improvement in the lumber market ID
reported in the weekly review Of trade
for the Philadelphia district by II. @.
Dun & Co. Business is widely diversi-
fed, the demand coming from all Sec
tions rather than from any particular
district. The bulk Of business. appar-
emily, is leaning toward yard trade and
there is not much purchasing for large
construction. The retail yards are dis
tributing in small lots. Prices are
hardening with continued increases on
upper grades. Some items are scarce
and difficult to secure. Collections are
still extremely slow. This condition is
expected to prevail for some time, the
attitude Of lumber merchants being to
give extended credits In order to stim
ulate business. 90.
The review, continuing, goes on to
say.;s ,u,n.o,om.r. ,s ro,sd :, tb.
building trade. A fair amount of new
operation Is under way. but general nc
tivity is not looked for until the spring
Of 1922. During the last month the
cost of new contracts started was aug
mented by q large public school con-
tract, Office building and theatres; q
few dwelling house operations have been
started. The bulk Of permits issued Ia
for alterations. Local contractors and
builders are estimating on large vol
ume Of proposed improvements and
number are fairly busy. Many OF these
contracts, however, are at points out
side of the city.
''The iron and steel market continues
to show a gradual improvement. 1t Is
noted that shipments from furnaces and
orders for new tonnage are growing.
Increased activity is noted in indus
trial plants, some having increased their
capacity to about 60 per cent. Prices
remain about stationary and the general
situation would seem to indicate grad =
ual recovery.
"The hardware line shows some in
crease in the volume OF business. Some
Of the larger houses report n fair in
crease during the last few weeks and,
while business in general Is below the
same period Of 1920, II Is believed that
there will be steady increase during
the remaining season. There has been
decrease in the prices of material
varying from 20 to 80 per cent, which
has, to a certain extent, stimulated
business. Collections remain slow.
Household specialties are moving
freely In the electrical trade and IN
increased demand is noted for the
various equipment in those lines. Re-
pai rwork Is showing an increase and
jobbers and retailers are fairly well
employed. Manufacturers report in
creased capacity, but are still running
below normal. Prices are firm and col.
lections fair.
"The stove trade is quiet on staple
goods and continued mild weather fails
to stimulate trade In this direction
Some demand is noted for supplemental
heating apparatus, foundries are run
ming at about go per cent capacity, with
jobbers and retailers quiet. Prices show
no material change and collections are
fair.
"There is little change in the condi
ton Of the chemical market. The re-
tail drug business Is fair. but the sale
of crude drugs to manufacturers is slow
There is a fair demand for dyestuffs
Prices are about normal.
1.-The paper market shows some i'm
provement. Manufacturers and job.
bers repott that stocks, as a rule, are
low and, consequently, there has beer
some increase in volume of sales, al
though buying is principally in small
lots and for immediate needs. There is
very little dealing In futures.
'.qihe trade in leaf tobacco continues
quiet, there being comparatively few
large sales and dealers are not inclined
to buy at prevailing high prices. There
has been fair inquiry FOR good grades
Of Pennsylvania and Connecticuts, but
other grades are moving SLOWLY