Omaha daily bee., 1921-04-25
Trade Review.
BY II. G. DUNN & co.

After long continued liquidation, moro
sta blity has developed in some markets.
with definite gain in business. Compile
tion Of the readjustment is yet to be at
tained in many instances and improvement
is not general. but basic conditions are
gradually strengthening. A tendency to-
ward easing of the monetary stringency.
partly reflected In some lowering of dis
count rates, IS favorable augury, and
freer marketinEs Of grain are making for
a lessening OF the financial tension IN
country districts. Recent sudden changes
in temperature have been detrimental
alike to crop advancement and seasonal
increase in retail distribution, yet weather
influences are secondary to some other
factors in the present situation. questions
of prices and wages being uppermost. The
process of price deflation continuing
steadily for nearly a year, Is providing a
basis for revival of buying, but resistance
to wage revisions is being encountered in
various quarters and labor troubles in
some sections serve to impede the indus
| trial recovery. Broadly viewed, however.
some progress is recorded each week, and
the distinct betterment in the hide and
leather trades and in some textile divis-
ions is encoura gng. In these lines. and
in certain others. there is now more
stead;ness TO prices. with some advances
as demand enlarges, and Dun's list of
wholesale quotations this week discloses
smaller excess of recessions. The element
of price, on the other hand. still enters
| sharply into buyers calculations. and no
departure from the policy of operating
strictly within well-defined requirements
Is witnessed. The gain in transactions,
where it appears. is mainly the result Of
moderate sized commitments to cover i'm
mediate or nearby needs. but such engage
ments are becoming more frequent. In
the existing circumstances, the absence OF
speculative tendencies in business is
wholesome feature.
IrreguIarity in Building.
While statistical evidence of some re-
vval of building activities is not lacking,
special canvass of the situation by cor
respondents of Dun's Review discloses
much .rregularity in different parts of the
country. Notwithstanding the pressing
need for additional housing accommoda-
tions, construction work in many sec
tions is being retarded from one cause or
another, and various factors make the out
look more or less uncertain. Resistance to
wage reductions Is phase commented
upon IN many of the dispatches and
money market conditions. although reflect
ing some casing, still render the financ-
ing Of new projects difficult Against
these and other drawbacks, however. are
the substantial and practically general de-
clines in prices of materials, which have
not been without effect in stimulating
resumption of building. The permits Is
sued in March show continuation of the
gain recorded in February: the value of
last months permits. in spite Of the lower
costs being largr than in any previous
month in nearly year.
The trend toward recovery in hide busi-
ness, which has only appeared after many
months of almost unbroken dullness, Is
becoming more general. Evidence multi
plies that the market is in weil-Iqui-
dated condition, and more confidence is
being expressed in the trade. Develop
ment of some call for Latin American dry
hides which have been slow to reflect
Improvement Is considered a good omen.
and domestic packer stock has continued
to gain in activity. with some price ad-
vances recorded. The well-sold up stu
alton in calfskins moreover. is disclosed
l>,, rto hiS Of ap nripeS
cured on previous nsactions. While re-
vival of demand for leather Is mainly
confined to upper descriptions, the bet
terment in this quarter Is suck as to give
| eEcoura cement, and price Increases on GER
| tain lines, the first in many months, are
noted. Producers Of mems footwear are
more freely Of heather, and trading in
women's shoes continues quite satisfactory;
Retailers are being urged to place IaIl
contracts soon as possible, manutac-
| turers stressing possible delays IN snip
ments in the future.
Dry Goods Demand.
| In view OF general economic condl-
tions. an estimate by large dry goods
| jobbers that tEeir business amounts 10
| about 20 per cent of that of year ago
| Is considered satisfactory. While retailers
still find the featuring Of low prices neces-
sary in maintaining sales. there Is de-
| cided tendency in primary circles TO hold
quotations steader. A continuation of
| spring prices into fall has been announced
| by the largest manufacturer of staple
and dress giughams, and 1t is stated that
no production for fall delivery will be
| available, beyond the orders already In
hand. outputs are diminished in cottons
and in jute products. but there Is a gain
| in wool. knit goods and silk lines, with
reports Of the starting OF night work in
few New England woolen plants. Such
a phase the latter. however. Is ths
conspicuous exception. The changed char
acter of consumption is reflected In
! full movement of many staple cottons,
silks and worsteds. and some mills are well
| occupied, but makers OF less wcll-known
| goods are curtailing. High priced novel
| lies and fancies are not being stressed as
| In tho