Evening star., 1923-12-18
CHRISTMAS TRADE
(H|TS NEW MARKS
leWeIry and Radio Sales In
dicate Steady Gains in
Prosperity.
BY J. e.. ROYLES.

Special Dispatch TO The Star
NEW YORK, December 1S.-The
close approach of Christmas has
n ade increasingly apparent the pros
perity, which has attended business
IN general during the first eleven
months of 1923. This is evidenced by
sales reports of two lines which may
lie regarded as especially reliable
harometers of trade activity, jewelry
and radio equipment. Both are bulk
ing large in holiday sales totals all
over the country.
Retail jewelers. have experienced a
sharp spurt in sales since the middle
of November, and the holiday busi-
ness is expected to exceed by 90 per
cent that Of last year. This jewelry
sales volume according to men in the
trade is directly dependent on the
prosperity which has followed other
4 lines in the preceding months. In
rthe manufacturing end of the indus
try activity has been general since
midyear. with special strength shown
i'll watches and diamonds. Jewelry
turnover is so slow that the amount
or orders now on manufacturers
books reflects a bright view of the
future on the part of retailers, who
normally are reluctant to stock heav-
lines are good.
Radio Sales Enormous.
The sales of radio sets during the
holiday period have been of record
breking proportions. This is attrib-
uted first TO price adjustments,
which have brought equipment within
the means of more people, and to
!, greater broadcasting efforts. Scores
of new broadcasting stations will be
opened in the first part of 1924 and a
tremendous amount of capital will be
expended in enlarging, improving and
dtversifying this service. The po-
litical situation and the presidential
campaign are expected to stimulate in
tereSt, candidates already have
made it known that they intend to
use the radio extensively in further
ing their efforts.
Manufacturers have made energetic
efforts during the year to simplify
equipment, and will join in an effort
TO prevent Misrepresentation of sets
and equipment by dealers ignorant
Of technical details or willing to
ignore theEl.
Many buyers have been attracted to
small shops in various cities through
advertisements announcing sales OF
standard sets at an extremely low
entered the stores that they had
''just sold the last one" This an
nouncement usually has been fol-
lowed by efforts to sell other sets or
trade is attempting to curtail this
= practice. No check to manufacturing
activities is expected in the early
part of 1924.
japanese Migration.
Japanese farmers who are prepar-
ing to leave California as result of
the Supreme Court decisions uphold
ing the California alien land act will
he welcomed in some sections of the
south, which have no anti-alien land
laws, according to some authorities.
Numerous small farms have been
abandoned by negroes who have NOV
ed to industrial centers in the north,
and the cotton acreage cultivated by
tenant farmers has been materially
decreased Efforts have been made
by southern civic and trade associa-
tions in the south. to attract white
farmers from other sections, but this
movement has not gained particular
headway
In view of the ravages OF the boil
weevil, the abandonment of acreage and
the lack of labor. 1t has become
question whether the southern states
can produce d crop sufficient to sup
ply American and world needs.
The arrival of the Japanese agri-
culturists in the truck farming sec
tions of the larger eastern cities, 1t
is expected, will be vigorously oppos-
ed by the truck gardeners already
in those sections. particu-
Iarly the Italian and Portuguese col
onies.
The Japanese movement eastward,
which probably will include Nip
ponese from Oregon and Washington
as we'll as California, is in the nature
of a defensive movement since the
laws of those states as upheld by
the Supreme Court not only prohibit
them from owning or leasing land for
farming purposes but from farming
on crop share basis or owning stock
in d landholding corporation.
Land to stand Idle.
The California land owners who
have let a part of their holdings to
Japanese on crop share agreements
will be hard hit by the departure OF
these workers. 1t is estimated that
about $4,000 acres of farm lands
will become idle, the crops from
which have yielded nearly $75.0oO,000
a year.
keen resentment is being displayed
by oriental residents of the east,
many of whom are citizens, against
tthe production or exhibition of mo-
ton pictures rejecting on the integ-
rity or character of their race. One
well known film star and his company
was forced to flee from Chinatown re-
Gently, and in future those directors
who desire to film scenes in New
York's Chinatown will be required
to submit their scenarios to a COM
mittee composed of a member from