The Washington times., 1922-08-19
TRADE SHOWS
IMPROVEMENT
DURING WEEK
Prospects Of Labor Settlement
Helps Business, Dun-Brad-
streets Report Says. j..

Helps Business, Dun-Brad-
streets Report Says. d..
The prospects OF the, early settle
ment of the present labor troubles
has helped trade considerably DUR
ing the week. according to the COM
mercial reviews issued today.
Dun's Trade Review.
Dun's review Of general trade
says:
with the partial adjustment Of
the coal mining controversy, and
with active negotiations for the set
tlement Of the railroad difficulties.
the labor situation Is more reassur-
ing. The existing tension Will be
relieved by the ending of the
strikes. which now seems to be
foreshadowed, and sentiment has
been improved by the events Of the
week. Evidence has recently ac-
cumulated of the disturbing effects
of the Industrial disputes which
/ have continued for several months,
that had been indicated before the
troubles developed have not been
fully realized.
"A distinct check to progress,
moreover, has resulted in some
basic lines, as in steel and iron, and
hesitation has nearly everywhere
been increased by the obstacles and
uncertainties arising from the labor
lunsettlement. The curtaIlnent Of
production and restriction Of sup
plies Of different commodities have
not failed to advance prices In some
channels, while buyers and sellers
alike have shown q disposition to
defer important commitments be-
cause Of doubts about deliveries Of
raw materials and MANUFACTURED
goods.
Some part of the abatement of
activities this summer has been due
to vacations. inventories and other
seasonal influences. but most Of the
4 restraint on operations has obvi-
ously been caused by the strikes In
two Of the country's great indus
tries. With strong fundamental
conditions, however. recovery may
come quickly in some branches of
business when labor controversies
are definitely settled, and the pros.
pect of bountiful crops this year
affords a solid basis for subsequent
expansion. The steadily declining
market for wheat, with the lowest
levels OF the season established, has
reflected the favorable agricultural
outlook, but increased Yields will
largely compensate growers for the
lower prices received for their
product.
Restraints on Textile Trade.
Various factors. the uncertainties
arising from strikes among them,
have combined to restrict new bust.
ness in textiles. Abatement of both
domestic and foreign demand has
the trade that supplies are not
abundant. measured by pre-war
standards. While current dealings
are conservative and moderate, mer-
chants are confident of the future
because of the favorable crop pros.
poets and the knowledge that style
changes will augment the fabric
requirements for women's wear.
| The unusually large attendance
Of buyers in primary channels, due
to special attractions, has been a
recent feature, and has resulted in
the placing of many small orders.
With the removal Of labor unsettle.
ment, 1t Is conceivable that dry
goods trading may develop a de-
cided quickening. and more stability
in textile prices may be witnessed
when the outcome Of the crops is
definitely known.
While the more favorable turn
in the labor situation has improved
the industrial outlook, iron and
steel works are still seriously handi.
capped by the effects Of the pro-
tracted suspension of coal mining
and Interruptions to railroad traf-
fic. From practically an so per
cent rate Of operation earlier in the
summer. the principal producer is
now running at only about so per
pendent companies are not averag-
ing better than so per cent"
Bradstreet's Trade Review.
while the outlook for the future, I"
Bradstreet's general review of trade
says. both of trade and industry has
! changed for the better, owing to i'm.
/ proved strike settlement prospects,
there Is slight reflection, except in
the matter of a more cheerful tone,
to be had Of this in the weeks re.
ports as to current trade and in
dustry. The as yet partial character
of the coal settlement and the un-
certainty that still turks in the rail-
road strike is partly responsible for
this. But in many lines the improve
ment bids fair to be slow, though per-
haps not so slow as was the growth
of the species of slow business
paralysis that has made its effects
increasingly visible since the rail.
way strike began.
| I'm this direction, indeed, the In.
staliation Of the system Of coal pri.
critics may prove hurtful to some
leading industries, notably iron and
steel, which have suffered most from
the fuel shortage. but which are low
on the priority list, while helpful
to the railways and household con.
sumers of coal, whose needs are like
! ly to become urgent very shortly.
Feeling as to winter coal supplies
being adequate In better, but an
acute car shortage is apparently
looked for when crop movement en-.
larges in the fall. While details of
the coal settlement are preceding,
and II is still too early to speak
| Al. -, o L.