San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-29
Commerce and Industry
Better Off as a
Result.
STEEL PLANTS BUSY
Textile Buying Slackens
But Mills Keep
Working.
BY j. C. ROYLE.

Copyright by The San Antonio Light
New York, April 2S.-There has
been light easing Of the load on the
bearings of the business machine in
the last week. As a consequence the
wheels Of commerce and industry are
turning more easily, but none the less
effectively.
Some Of the basic materials have
softened in price, notably coal, coke,
rubber, oil, copper, lead. zinc, cotton
and some others.
This caused 10 uneasiness even
among producers of those commodities
who are not anxious to face the re-
suits of a runaway market and who
prefer a healthy to hectic price
level.
There has also been a falling off in
wholesale and retail sales in num-
Der of important lines and slight
check to building construction. This
slight slowing up does net Indicate
slump in business on the contrary
it is regarded as an assurance that
trade will remain both steady and
prosperous throughout the remainder
of the year and that commercial
stability will endure.
Merchants aver that slight decline
in public buying was to be expected
as consumers had purchased luxuries
and necessities in large quantities foI
many months.
Steel Plant Capacity Utilized.
This tendency is distinctly notice
able in steel. yet full plant capacity
is being utilized to meet demand
Premiums for immediate delivery are
less prominent n feature of the mar
ket today. but basic prices shSw al
upward rather than downward
tendency. In opening their books fol
third quarter business, steel companie;
emphasize the fact that prices quote,
are not for fourth quarter deliveries
yet so heavily are the order boz
burdencd that it is probable delivery
cannot be possible until the last quar-
ter of the year.
Production costs in steel have adi
vanced and are expected to continuk
even further in that direction an<
mills are not anxious to book heavilt
now at prices that may yield rs pro
fit later.
Sugar advanced to new high level
in spite of agitation for lower prices
As April draws to close it
estimated that the Ford AUTOMOBILE
output will be about per cent large
than in March or about 100000 car
and trucks. The total production fo
the country is estimated at betwcet
100000 and 100000 cars for til
month. Sales figures probably wi
run higher than this figure throug
sale of cars stored in January an
February. The peak of production
not far off. however, according
many manufacturers.
Ford has ordered built another ba
terry of dry kilns at the Iron Mour
tain body and lumber mill. makiIi
the enterprise the largest of its kim
in the world.
Textile Buying Slackens.
Buying of wooden. worsted and co
ton cloths has fallen off somewhat
and far behind in meeting their d
liveries. The lack of effect on pricS
is shown by the fact that the Amer
can Wooden company has advanced
quotations of repeat orders for ftf
IL per cent over opening prices. Ra
wool is still strong with growers
the West holding for high prices an
getting them Slightly less advanta
cous weather conditions have help@
the position of raw cotton.
Silk rose to new high levels u
the last three years. The MA grad
was extremely scarce and the biddiI
for this product. which touched So
pound. carried the remainder
the market up with it. Proi.
and sale of finished silks. howevs
was not checked
The cut in oil prices is attribute
in many quarters to the tremendo}
output of light refinab!c crude 4
from the new fields in Californf
This oil, it is claimed. can be laF
down at Atlantic refincries at
price well under that of Mid-C0'
tihent crude.
Paper production is at new hill
record figures and the ) per cent
hour advance already granted
some companies is expected to be
lowed by other employers.
Workers Still In Demand.
Whatever check there has been
sales. there has been none in dcma
for labor. Turnover of labor is
creasing for laborcrs are placiF
slight value on their jobs as they &
that they can always get others wi
out delay.