The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-08-19
OUTLOOK
HELPS BUSINESS
RESUME MOTION
Waiting to Co indicates Way
Industry Hesitates as
Doubt Continues.
By W. II. GRIMES


United Financial staff Correspondent
NEW YORK, Aug. 1S.-''Waiting
to go" is a fit description of the bust
ness situation at the end Of another
week, with efforts to settle the coal
and rail strikes somewhat more effec-
tual than the attempts of previous
weeks.
Mining is gradually being resumed
in some sections, but not to the
extent that was hoped. The hard coal
strike promises to be settled very
shortly.
The rail- strike apparently has
reached a stage where something
must be done. Utterances of brother
hood officials show they recognize
this condition and the attitude gives
hope the conference with executives
here viii bring some results.
When the strikes have been ended,
however, there are plenty Of signs
that business resumption may be too
fast to be altogether healthy. On all
sides are heard predictions Of price
imitation once the strikes are over.
If buying starts with a rush when
the rail strike ends, the appearance
of a shortage in some lines will be
created. railroads may be taxed be-
yond their capacity and freight con
gestion viii result.
Despite the strikes both the weekly
reviews Of Dun and Bradstreets, is
sued today indicate a gradually re-
turning confidence.
This is the way some Of the lead
ing industries have Jared:
Corn and Cotton
The situation IS a trihe spotted as
regards the cotton crop in Texas, the
lower Mississippi Vaplley and Georgia
and also as regards the corn crop in
parts Of the northwest and in the
middle Ohio valley. The threat to the
Pacific coast fruit crop by a railroad
ue-up was removed
Iron and Steel
This industry reflects the fuel
shortage which has shut down more
blast furnaces and resulted in fur
Their rises in the prices Of steel prod
ucts such as p.g-iron and finished
steel The principal producer run
ming at so per cent early in the sum-
mer is now at so per cent. The end
Of the coal strike will help relieve
the situation. but a normal condition
viii not be reached for some time.
Oil Trading
The oil trade has taken a decided
turn for the better and there is a
firm impression that the cuts in crude
prices have ended. One Of the most
encoura ging signs is the demand for
oil tanks and Independents have got
together to erect storage facilities so
that the surplus may be held over
in times Of flush production.
Dry Goods and Textiles
Fear of shipments being held up
has hurt the business Of dry goods
iobbers to some extent. However,
there is general agreement that retail.
ers' stocks are at a low point and that
many rather small orders may be
looked for. Wooden and worsted
goods for spring are in good demand
and the leading producer has with.
drawn all lines Of fancy worsteds.
Retail Trade
Retail trade has been affected by
hot weather as well as by the strikes
and it Is undeniably slow in nearly
all sections. However, a number of
retail merchants take their vacation
Mt this time Of the year accepting the
slump as a sensational condition. A
of furnishing stores ere pre-
pairing for the opening Of schools and
colleges in the fall.
Shoes and Leather
There has been some easing off In
buying Of hides while recent advances
in raw materials are being reflected
more fully in the leather market. If
prices could be shaded demand prob
ably would pick up somewhat but the
position of the hide indus
try makes this improbable. The east
ern shoe making trade has lost no
ground but the pace in the West is
somewhat slower.
Lumber Orders
Lumber orders are again on the in
crease and the forest fires which ham
pered production have been put out
by rains Prices have tended to