The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-12-13
HOLIDAY TRADE.
SHOWS STEADY
GROWTH
Christmas Purchases Give
Proof Of Large Public Buy
ing Power, Reports Say

NEW YORK, Dec. Christmas
trade has developed well in many
places, giving proof OF a large
public buying power. and it was
Quickened this week by colder
weather, with snowfall in some
sections, Dun'a review Of trade
says this week. The most inter
esting movements, however. are oc-
curing in the big manufacturing
industries, where b substantial re-
covery from previous depressed con-
ditions is under way. Convincing
evidence of this fact has already
been given by statistics of produc-
ton, and the statement of untitled
steel orders, showing a monthly in
crease of more than 500 900 tons.
has been added to the favorable fea.
lures. From q low point of about
40 per cent last summer, the aver
age rate Of steel Inill operations has
risen to nearly 80 per cent, and
textile plants are steadily enlarging
their outputs, though at closes profit
margins.
The underlying firmness Of. com.
modify prices is again reflected by
Dun's list, which. shows, for the
twenty-second consecutive week. an
excess OF advances. A conspicuous
exception to this upward trend has
been seen in cotton, but the larger
crop that has been grown. and
which has forced prices downward
Will be of benefit to manufacturers
OF goods. Conservative business in.
terests are anxious to prevent any
overextension that might lead 10
reaction, and commitments In nearly
al branches, though increasing, are
being kept. within the limits of
safety.
Increased holiday buying. some
stimulation of regular seasonal re-
tail buying where weather condi.
tons favor, fairly full volume of
replenishment orders from jobbers.
further Quieting down i'm pri-
mary lines of textiles as the inyen-
tory period approaches. quite
marked reaction in the speculative
movement in stocks exchange and
grain after six weeks of steady adj.
vances, continued activity and
strength in the iron and steel trades.
Wnlcn note continued confident buy.
ing for the first quarter of 1925.
oAiu HhSicdScu strength In lumber
buying and prices, furnish examples
of the varied character of the trade.
industrial and financial develop.
ments of the week, according to
Bradstreet's, Lines displaying less
than expected snap are the heavy.
weight textiles, 6.1oes and coal.
although in the latter line cold
weather and snok have spurred
some Western mine operators and
stiffened prices of some, not ell,
grades.
In the list of industries sending
cheerful reports. iron and steel are
pre-eminent, with advices Of large
railway buying, TURNER advances in
pig iron, further gains in productive
operations of steel mills and a heavy
increase in untitled orders. The
building industry shows rather un-
expected strength for this stage of
the season. Lumber orders for seven
weeks past have increased rather
sharply, indicating broken stocks
In the country generally, and pro.
ducers price tend upward. In tex
tiles, still higher wool prices are
noted here, in the West and abroad.
while goods buying Is quiet. Staple
cottons are quieter>- but firm. while
finished goods sell fairly. Shoe
buying has rather Jagged, especially
at the East. and manufacturers there
note Comparafiva olliof