Evening star., 1922-10-07
BY j. C. ROYLE.


Special Dispatc', to The Star.
NEW YORK, October Five great
factors are contesting for.supremacy
in the business situation of the
United States-two on one side and
three on the other. Three great in
f1uences are showing business ahead.
They are the advance Of commodity
prices, the increase in demand and
the fact that the increase OF prices
has not checked buying. Opposing
them are the obstacles Of freight car
shortage and a runaway" labor mar
ket.
The factors tending toward better
Industrial and commercial conoitlons
have the greater impetus, ana pusl-
ness is improving. but the oostacIes
have by no means oeen ovsIIo1n aEunad
equipment have been spent this week
and thousands Of men have oeen
placed at work, conditioning present
equipment, but it will take time LOT
the medicine to work. Seasonal
freight movement Is thirty 10 siA'S
days behind schedule.
Union leaders declare that labor is
not a commodity, but the fact re-
mains that it has been bought. solo.
speculated in and stolen in the ias'
week The country has not yet real
lied to what extent one INDUSTRY ie'
bidding against another for skilled
and unskilled men. Detroit and Bos-
ton reported by telegraph TO-DAY that
common labor at soc an hour Is
scarcer than ever.
Higher Pay for Workmen.
Many skilled workers in those Sec
tions are being paid higher than union
scales. Butte complained today that
the automobile makers Of Michigan
we're stealing tie skilled men Of the
mines. Similar conditions are reported
in other sections and employers alTea1y
are beginning to clamor individually
for removal Of the immigration restr1c-
tions on European labor.
Yet business is increasing and prices
are advancing in nearly every line Oh
trade and industry. Raw wool Is NOV
ing briskly upward with increases IN
some grades Of to 10 cents a pound
since the tariff went into effect. Woolen
goods have followed suit. other manu-
facturers having duplicated advances
announced by the American WOODEN
Company. Garment manufacturers are
ready to pass the higher figures on to
retailers and ultimate consumers.
Cotton Outlook Better.
The cotton strike which cost a loss
Of over 340.ooo,0o0 yards Of goods ia
over. goods prices have advanced. de-
mand is stronger. and mills both in New
England and the south have vastly
improved number Of orders on hand
The technical position Of the raw sta
pie also is better. Raw silk has taken
a decided jump in reflection Of condi-
tions in the oriental markets and while
manufacturers have not raised thelI
trend Of finished goods prices is up
ward.
Steel production is being curtailed but
quotations are higher and the market
is rapidly approaching stabilization.
Coal production is limited only by the
number Of cars the railroads can pro-
vide. Grain Is suffering more than other
commodities both from low prices and
lack Of shipping facilities. Ships on the
eastern and western seaboard are wait
ing for cargoes which may DO delayed
we'll into November.
Most Marked Decrease.
Lumber has recorded the most marked
decrease in new business production
and shipment of any commodity in the
last ten days Southern mills are cur
failing. orders are falling off. and ship
ments are falling even behind new bust
ness. In one section. however. the Pa
cific northwest. the mills are working
8 to 10 per cent above normal capacity.
Live stock shipments in all the mid
west markets are brisk, but cattle as
a rule are in poor condition. When fat
stock is marketed it commands splendid
prices. Leather. hides and felt are in
better demand Harness manufacturers
are busy The shoe makers Of New
England are doing the best business of
the last three years and prices are being
advanced 25 to so cents a pair at whole-
sale.
Building Unchecked.
Building Is unchecked and demand
for household goods and furniture is
keeping pace with new homes completed.
Milk prices are UP in nearly every Sec
tion due to dry weather and poor pas
turage. and hay Is skyrocketing.
Automobile manufacturers will begin
within thirty days to store up cars for
the spring sales and this business will
make up for many seasonal slackenins
Of demand. Groceries and dry goods
are moving easily with slight price ad:
vances.