Evening star., 1922-08-19
Special Dispa tch to The Star.
BY j. G. ROYLE.

NEW YORK, August 19.-This has
ness. but fundamentally the position
of business is SO strong that now.
with the coal and rail strikes ap-
parently out Of the way, 1T can face
the future with confidence. The eco
nomic disturbances have held up
trade. but they have not destroyed
orders. Manufacturers. wholesalers
and retailers await a pent-up food
of orders. II the country can put its
fuel and transportation houses in or
der the fall is expected to be a period
of unprecedented activity.
Telegraphic dispatches from corre-
spondents in all the strategic indus
trial centers of the country reveal an
unsettled state of affairs. Trade has
only one section of the nation-the
Pacific northwest-has it been re-
ported anywhere near normal. In
New England the fuel shortage has
been the bogey. in the south the rail
strike disturbances served as retard-
ing influences. This has been true,
too. in the southwest. In the middle
west the absence of coal cut down
activities. while in the far west. espe-
cially in southern California, the
specter of transportation tie-up un-
nerved the fruit shippers and their
alarm was infectious. so far as gen.
eral business on that part of the Pa
cific coast was concerned. The east
saw a curtailment In the output of
steel and a let-up in buying, but con-
ditions have been fair here.
These widely scattered incidents OF
transportation delays, coal shortages
and their companion ills have been
rNy inAnannac N
business situation. for their effects
had been discounted. 1t is hard to
be pessimistic in the face Of record
breaking crops and a good supply of
labor.
Assurances to Help.
Given the assurance of regular
train service and normal coal sup
plies. the manufacturer can look for
ward confidently. This is. especially
the railway equipment people and
all lines that enter into building con-
struction. Meantime, the retailer
and more generally the country mer-
chant can put his buying plans into
effect with some assurance that they
will mature.
The basic industries of the country
panies. while they have had to cur
tail their activities because of the
fuel shortage. have plenty of orders
on hand.
With adequate coal supplies the
steel people foresee capacity produc-
tion. The automobile manufacturers.
with the price-cutting furry over and
done with perhaps for the remainder
of the year, although more than a
modicum of doubt may be attached to
the word perhaps" are in good shape
and enjoying fine business.
Building Big Aid.
Furniture manufacturers are profit
ing by the construction of new build
ings and dwellings, as are the makers
of all sorts of household appliances.
There is a lul1 in'the overwhelming e
demand for radio sets and all manner
of radio accessories. which gives rise
to the belief that the larger producing
companies will have to take steps to
acquaint the general public with their
wares. Heretofore the public has
sought them unsolicited. Copper con-
tinues quiet The cotton market is
erratic with price tendencies upward
Department stores of the larger
cities report fair business for this
time of the year. Summer sales have
been we'll attended and goods moved
OFF the shelves to make place for fall
supplies.