The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-23
Men And Markets
By P. r. E.

Production is up 25 per cent. Climb ing out of the sleuth of the extremely dull summer of 1924, general business has shown a reassurring recovery. ITO duction Is on the increase in most lines and the progress already recorded by the department Is on the increase ap- proximates 25 per cent. Textiles lead with a gain of 60 per cent from the summers low, which was very low ln- deed. Iron and steel have experienced an ipcreaee of 57 per cent with business still on the increase. Leather is recov- ering from a protracted dull spell wltn again of 35 per cent. Lumber shows an increase of 25 per cent in spite or the fact that building industry has been active all year. Chemicals show an increase of 175 per cent and the paper and printing industries are leading sum- mer production figures by IS per cent. We go over into the new year with gen eral business definitely on the increase.
 Sears, Roebuck and Company have announced the opening of retail store in Chicago to be followed by other re tail stores in Philadelphia, Dallas and Seattle. This is indeed interesting news. We had always supposed that the mall order house claimed many advantages over the retail store such as low cost, direct delivery, wide selection, conven- fence, etc. It appears, however, that the
 
 certain distinct advantages in the retail method of doing business. Perhaps personal service, inspection of goods, and trading in ones own community finally come in for credit as tangible business assets. As a matter of fact, personal service of the right sort and friendly human contact in the exchange of goods for money weighs heavily against the cold order blank. In any event the "ecenomy" argument of the mail order house is gone. for the mail order house itself Is indorsing the re- tail store as sound merchandising in stitution by adopting it,
 The treasury announces a brand new stock of newly minted, shiny silver dollars in the very latest styles and newest shapes as suggestion for those facing the Christmas problem. They at least should appeal strongly io those who detest useless gifts.
 The oil stocks have finally come to life on the stock exchange. After trailing the post election bull market in a most disappointing manner-at least so far as their holders were con cerned--the oil stocks have suddenly come to lift and have actually led recent trading sessions. Two reasons may account for this sudden interest. A certain element in the speculative market refuses to buy Stocks that have risen, but insists in buying those that have not yet gone up. Whether this theory Is sound or no, it may ac- count for much of the recent activity in this. Then, of course, an anticipated business revival with greater industrial activity foreshadows an increased de- mand for oil despite the present condi- tion of the industy.
 The longest jury trial on record has just come to it's end and the plaintiff suing for $15,0o0,000 has been awarded S1O, ,1O9.07 by the jury after hearings which began in November. 1923, and lasted over IS months. The defendants have already appealed the case, how ever, and at least two more years of litigation and delay is expected before another finding can be rendered. The amounts involved are large, and while the plaintiff is apparently in the right ! and deserves compensation for the dam ages he specifics. 1t is probable that the course of justice so far as he is personally concerned will be defeate d by the machinery of court procedure,