The Washington times., 1922-05-20

hS ACSlutnt Is Ol lHS
that the country will soon see a
wholesale and satisfying revival, ex-
tending to practically every indus
try. Reports reaching the White
House from various Industrial GEN.
ters State that the demand for abor
Is already exceeding the supply. The
President believes that only a flood
OF cheap foreign goods can halt the
present development, but he is con-
rdent that the new tariff bill will
prevent this.
Further Indications of improve
ment in the general business situa.
ton Is contained in a report issued
today by the Department of Com
merce, which declares tnat business
Is rapidly readjusting itself on a
lower price level following two
years Of depression and efforts at
recovery. The report, in part. says:
Gains I'm April.
CommerclaF and industrial move
ments in April, so far as reported,
show, for the most part a steady
gain, although some reverses, such
as in cotton consumption, are
noted. The decline in coal produG
ton, due to the strike, So far has
caused no interference with indus
try and very little uneasiness. New
records were made in the April
building operations and in the
March gasoline production and
stocks. Iron and steel production
held its new level in April and the
marked increase in the untitled
orders of the U. S. Steel Corpora
ton indicate more active buying.
DVstn l.
with small increases in many COM
modities. Reports indicate that re-
tail trade is improving.
Consumption of raw cotton in
mills decreased from 51S,4 bales in
March to 446.843 bales in April. The
decline was largest in the northern
mills, where the textile strike has
curtailed operations; however, con-
sumption also declined in the South
ern States. April consumption is
still well above that of a year ago
Stocks of cotton in mills and in
warehouses declined about 600, 900
bales during April, and the total Is
now approximately 1,675,000 bales
less than at this time last year. Cot
ton exports totaled 612, ,654 bales,
an increase of 10000 bales over
March and the largest since De-
cember. April imports of cotton
were only a fourth as large as in
the preceding months.
Silk consumption remained rela-
lively stationary. with a slight de-
crease from the previous month.
Stocks of silk declined and were the
smallest for any time within the
last ten months.
Iron and Steel.
Iron ore movement on the 500
canal during the first month Of the
season totaled 81, 900 tons, COM
pared to $4,000 tons in April last
year. and 10000 tons in April, 1920.
Construction Increases.
All class of construction, with the
exception of public buildings, in
creased both in floor space ard in
value, compared to March. Con-
tracts for business buildings amount
ed to $5S,711 900, an increase of SILL
100000 for the month. The floor
space of this class of building in
creased from S.953,00O to 10,419 900
square feet.
Industrial buildings made slight
gain, while residential buildings in
creased from $121 ,551 900 in March
to $132, ,47S,000, with an increase Of
1,300,O square feet in floor space.
Public works and public utilities rose
from $51 ,997,00 to $75,251 900 in
April.
Practically all building materials
show increased production. Cement
production in April :otaled 9,243, 900
barrels, an increase of nearly 40 per
cent over March and 600, 900 barrels
more than a year ago. Shipments
also increased, but not so rapidly 4
production. with the result that
stocks rose $4,000 barrels with
total of IA, ,498 900 barrels.
Production and shipments ot Doug
las fir and North Carolina pine in
creased in April. The output of OAK
flooring fell off slightly from the
high record made in March, but new
orders and untitled orders increased
while stocks declined.
Domestic movements of wheat and
corn in April were on a lower plane
than in either the preceding month
or in April, 1921. Also receipts. ship
ments and slaughter of all livestock
were less than either a month or
year ago. Receipts of butter at the
principal markets were less than last
month, but receipts OF eggs and
cheese showed marked increases.
Sugar MEETINGS were slightly less
than in March, while stocks of raw
increased.