The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-11-28
HOLIDAY TRADE
WILL BE GOOD
SAYS REPORT
Manufacturers Have Been
Chief Sufferers Because of
Buyers Actions
EFFECTED METAL TRADE
Mail Order Houses Report
Gains of Is Per Cent
Over 1922

lrdlCatl OflS are 'Htl tHe hN'''"' '
trade will be good, according to the
monthly review Of business condl-
sions in The Nations Business, off
cial publication of the Chamber OF
Commerce of the United States.
1t is pointed out that "whilc re
tail trade, retarded by unusually .
heavy rains in wide areas or warm
weather in others has not come up
to trade expectations generally IN
the last month, it has after all shap- /
ed UP fairly well. Jobbing trade has /
likewise held up moderately we'll,
but sales for next spring or beyond
have Jagged because of uncertainty
rs to the reception awaiting higher
priced cotton goods.
Manufacturers have perhaps been
the chief sufferers because of the
refusal of buyers to assume risks or
because high cost Of raw materials,
notably the textiles and particular
" cotton, have made then disinciined
to go ahead piling up stocks. Re
cent searching for new reasons for
the lalIuTc OF UeuldIu W NoiiSuiiN VIZ
product of the vastly larger capa-
city available for manufacture now
as compared with earlier years has
seemed to center on the question OF
costs. This is despite the fact that
wages are high, employment active
as rarely before, savings bank de-
posits increasing, and sales Of GER
tain one-time Injuries larger than
in any except the widest of boom
times.
an casting up the visible changes
which have come to sight in the last
month or so few of the things that
stand out quite clearly may be men
toned. The rise of five or more
cents pound in cotton has beer
helpful in states like Texas. and the
Carolnas. The buying of cottor
goods for next spring and beyond
has been, until lately, under thu
check rein of the higher prices ne
cessarily asked. Unwillingness t
buy as we'll as unwillingness to sci
far ahead has been a bar to SOM
business. In the matter of wheat
which was tied by corn prices for
while early in October, there is com
plant of high prices affecting tn
flour milling industry with some ne
cessity to go far afield for supplies
"The metal trades have been var
ously affected by different degree
of demand. Pig iron and scrap met;
have weakened steadily in price; b,
l. 70
operations have receded as a Who'll
steel prices have been fairly we
maintained owing to the buying
supplies by automobile makers, II
railroads, structural material use
and Japan, with reports of lars
sales of tin plate for the first qua
ter of 1924. Pig iron production
still receding- price and produ
ton, but at slower gate than 7
Gently, and steel production fell on
one per cent below September viii
pig iron output dropped 2 IL p
cent.
"Such measures of movement
are available at the present time
not >tell the world an especial
slight loss from year ago when t
largest total in twenty-five mont
was rolled up, most of this decrea
being at New York and a few sout
western and northwestern citi
where depression in oil or unsatisf;
tory agricultural conditions is n
ed. Failures show a seasonal
.rno,, hut ara GILL halnu he rnr,
ing totals recorded at this time
year ago. Building permits point
a sharp rally. Pig iron and st
production figures are the light
since late last winter, but greatly
coed those of any month in cit
1922 or 1921. Automobile output
October is estimated as the larg
since June, and has in fact been o
exceeded in four previous months
the countrys history. The mine
oil industry is still depressed I
stocks are still increasing, while G
oline prices, despite large consul
ton, are still being cut. The pl
of copper is about at-the years l.
est and some western mines are e
CT ISuuCiIS Wages Va "pNieN
Zone of the best statistical sh
ings is that given out by lead
maiE order houses which repor
gain of "A per cent over Scptem
and of 25 per cent over Octobc
year ago. The October total is
best. since March, 1920. Leao
chain stores reports point to 6
of 16 per cent over October, 1922,
the total sales of goods at retail
city and country by the largest m
order and chain-store concerns arr
per cent greater than in Octobe
year. ago. 1t may of course be
that these concerns are not t.
representative of retail trade a
whole. The ten months sales
these. concerns, however, total ST
100000. If retail trade in o.
lines should exceed that of Oct
year ago, it would be no 81
achievement when the big swellin
trade in October Of 1922 is rem
bered. In other words final di'
button so far as can be meas'
IS thus early is probably well al
last year for October, and thus
in November and for the year to
is far ahead, 2S per gent in fac
1922" ~.