Omaha daily bee., 1921-05-16
! Trade Review.
(By r. G. Dunn 4 Co..

Response to the constructive forces in
the economic situation does not come
other than slowly. various drawbacks still
mains highly influential. unsettlement
continuing in different quarters, and more
stable markets are essential to fuller
measure Of commercial revival At a time,
moreover, when seasonal demands should
stimulate activities, retail distribution is
restricted by inclemept weather. which re-
tards consumption of Spring merchandise
and also impedes crop progress In some
phases which Yet prevail do not, ON the
other hand, obscure the fact that major
movements in business are now in the
right direction and that several recent de-
veiopments, the apparent lessening OF for
eign political uncertainties among them,
have favorable bearing on the future.
A rise in English and French exchange
to the highest level Of the year Is signi-
ficant of an improved international out
look, and bank statements and lowering Of
money rates have reflected the strength
ening of the general financial position.
Such tendencies as these, while largely
offset by labor troubles and other unsat,
provide basis for q more confident SEN
tinent. Except in isolated instances. the
more hopeful feeling has thus far not
been productive Of any essential change
in buying disposition. although the fire.
quent repeating Of moderate sized orders
serves to reduce the proportion Of idle
machinery in certain Industries and to
somewhat bolster the purchasing power.
The latter Is still limited by unemploy-
ment in many directions, but the wide
spread closing down Of plants has SEEM
ingly been arrested, and part-time opera
tions have been resumed at not few
manufacturing establishments. On the
whole, there has been a modification of
the acute depression Of previous months,
and the prospects for further gradual re-
has been protracted and thorough, as in
the hide trade, the betterment in condi-
tions 10 unmistakable.
Reduction in Exports.
Appearing at an unusually early date.
continued reduction in the nations over
seas merchandise movements. While i'm
ports increased some 100000 In value
last month. amounting to. 3225. 600,
a decrease Of nearly s47, 900, 900 in exports,
which aggregated S340,0o0,0o0. The lat
ter total is not only the smallest of any
month in number of years, but is fully
% per cent below that OF Ap. Of last
1854, 100000. The April imports, al
though $4,000 ,ooo less than those Of
that month Of 1920, are the largest of
the current year, and the export excess
This export excess compares with one OF
more than s134, 900, 900 In March, while in
April. last year. the exports surpassed
the imports py approximately $lSS,QV0,UVe.
Dry Goods Firmer.
Improvement in dry goods conditions
which, has been developing for some time
past. is reflected in the greater measure
of stability in primary markets. Follow
ing long-continued liquidation, firmness Is
appearing In prices, with fractional re-
coyeries occurring on certain fabrics.
While the situation remains uneven, It is
significant that conservative purchases are
being made more frequently, and that
sentiment is steadily strengthening. The
latter phase Is partly due to the lessen
ing OF monetary stringency, but 1t also
results from the evidence Of reviving de-
mand and better production records. Not
only has there been a check to the spread
of curtailment at mill centers, but many
instances are noted of mills resuming
operations after long idleness. As Illus
trating the freer buying now current. the
lines of bleached muslins are
sold ahead for two or three months, and
some other products are also well under
order.
Improvement In Hides.
Tire revival OF hide business il each
week becoming more clearly evident. Re
cent transactions have been Of sizable pro-
portions, with demand coming from both
large and small tanners. and the price
is decidedly firmer After long
period OF decline, the market is develop
ing some buoyancy, and successive ad-
vances OF 1-ec TO lc between sales have
heen noted In point OF activity and
strength. calf skins continue the most
prominent feature. but the Improvement
In conditions 10 general