davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
SUGAR.

Tremendous production which far
outstripped consumption, following the
inevitable economic law, sent sugar
prices in 1925 to the lowest point in
four years. The Cuban crop totaled
5,l20.421 tons in the 192425 season. the
greatest outturn on record. Grinding
already has started on the 1926
crop, which experts claim may reach
5000 600 tons
Europe, determined to make its soil
help pay its debts. pushed sugar
beet production to a point 2.0pu.on0
tons above that OF 1924. Hawaii had
the largest production on record, ANA
Louisiana had a bumper cane crop.
The Western sugar beet growers in
some sections did not have 4 successful
year. In California the crop and prices
were both Disappointing. In Michigan.
and some other States. weather condi-
tons hampered harvesting. In Colo
RADIO and other intermountain sections
acreage was diminished by early dis
puteS over contracts with factories
None the less, the beet sugar produC-
ton did more than anything else, by
its competitive marketing efforts. TO
stabilize prices and prevent domino
ton of American markets by Cuban
producing interests.
Consumption undoubtedly was slim
ulated by the low prices for refined.
which We're consistently under the g.
cent mark after the first three months
of the year. But this was not SufIi-
Cient to balance production. Cuban
growing interests declare present raw
sugar prices are under the cost of pro-
duction and are using all efforts TO
have "A reduction in tariff arranged by
the President. Louisiana cane grow
erS assert such Il step not only would
put them out of business but would
leave the markets of America at the
mercy of the Cuban interests. aided
by low labor costs, once the domestic
competition had been driven from the
field
In spite of the low prices for raws,
one of the leading American Compa-
MES heavily interested in Cuban plan
tations was able to go on a dividend
basis and refiners who bought instead
Of raising their raw sugar in some in
stances had excellent profits.
No Curtallment of production is in
sight in 1926. The Cuban crop under
ordinary weather conditions will be
heavy. The Louisiana cane planters are
just getting back into good production
with the introduction of new varieties
of cane. Hawaii Will have a record
crop. Java will produce 800, 900 tons
more than ever before. The European
output is sure to be heavier than in
1925 and production Will be pressed
in Scotland. England, Japan and Mex
leo. Consequently the outlook for any
sharp advance in prices is dim.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
HARDW ARE.

Firmness in prices and strong de-
mand were features of the hardware
business throughout the year. The
tremendous volume of construction
served to maintain the call for build
ers' hardware and plumbers and
steamfitters' supplies at a high level,
and quotations, strengthened before
Winter. offered a seasonal check. The
general Improvement in the farmers
financial position also aided the trade.
Manufacturers made more profits
after they concentrated on fewer sizes
and styles. The variety Of shovels,
for example, was cut from 223 to 127,
and 1000 items Of builders hardware
were cut 26 per cent. With stocks
reduced and moving off the shelves
more rapidly, retail dealers improved
their profits materially. They had
need to do so. for in 1924 profits of
300 dealers in 43 States amounted to
only "A cents on each 800 worth Of
business transacted.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
JEWELRY

Nothing so strikingly emphasizes
the extent and prosperity of the Jew
elry business during the past year as
the epidemic OF jewel robberies. The
profits made in speculation. as well
a in the more sober walks of bust
ness. led TO heavy purchases of gems.
and the higher-priCed stones came into
real demand for the first time since
1920.
Most of the foreign jewel collec-
uons, dangled tantalizingly before the
eyes Of rich Americans, went unpur-
chased, owing to the exorbitant fig
ures asked, but some of the famous
but Inflated Romanoff rubies and en-
eralds passed into the hands of citi-
Zens OF this country.
Rubies. pearls and sapphires have
been extremely fashionable Mergers
involving American and foreign firms
have aided to stabilize diamond out
put and prices. Watch sales were
heavy.
Platinum gained in favor. The
price of this metal has ranged around
Sl2O an ounce throughout the year.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
SILK.

The silk industry in 1925 piled
splendid year on top of a good sea
son in 1924. Silk demand kept manu-
facturers working at a record rate
throughout the year, and while pro-
duction fell off seasonally in the late
months, bookings for the Spring of
1926 were such as to assure strong
activity for months to come.
For the first IL months of the year
consumption reached the record total
of 455,574 bales, which far exceeded
the amount consumed in the entire
year of 1924. In August American
manufacturers took A, 047 bales, the
monthly peak for all time.
Raw silk fabrics had their fiuctua-
tons, but showed steady and con-
sistent advances from January on. In
the late part of the year prices for
some grades were almost ST a pound
higher than in the corresponding pc
riod of 1924. This was due less to
speculation than to strong statistical
position. Reports indicated an in
crease of liz per cent in the Summer
and Autumn Japanese cocoon crops,
but consumption bids fair to oversize
this additional production.
Many mills have accumulated good
stocks of goods for Spring, but early
1926 business should absorb these and
more without difficulty.
The popularity of rayon fabrics
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
COFFEE.

Efforts of the Brazilian producers
to stimulate or increase coffee con-
sumption in the United States during
the past year and to control supplies
met with some success despite opposi-
ton from Secretary Hoover. There
We're imported into this country
966, 200, 900 pounds of coffee, as COM
pared with approximately LAY, 200,-
coo pounds in 1924.
The price was appreciably higher
than in 1924. For spot Rio No. Z
grades at New York the price aver
aged 21.7S cents a pound for the first
ten months OF the year. as compared
with a general average of 1888 for the
entire year of 1924.
The real blow to the Brazilian
growers came when Secretary Hoover
was instrumental in inducing Ameri-
can bankers to withhold q loan TO be
used in the valoriZation of Brazilian
coffee. English bankers indicated
hey would follow suit, but loan
negotiations were resumed here be-
fore the year closed.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
PACKING INDUSTRY

The general business prosperity
which prevailed was reflected in the
profits which We're derived from the
packing industry in 1925. Packers
sold out the inventories which they
had oiled up during the period of ire
mendous hog production at good ad-
vantage. Although cattle prices
ranged higher than in 1924, dressed
beef prices rose TO lesser degree and
the margin of profit on beef during
the latter part of the year was narrow.
Owing To the high prices, export de-
nand, especially for pork products,
was decidedly less than that of year
ago. But the people of the United
States apparently were willing and
able to pay for all the pork produced.
The subsidiary hide and leather de-
partments of the packing companies
showed strongly improved earnings,
owing to the betterment in the stats
teal positions and prices of those COM
modities. This also was true of ferti
liZerS
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
DAIRY PRODUCTS.

Production of dairy products has
been smaller than in 1924, but this
industry recorded a fairly favorable
year. Prices for butter, cheese and
condensed and evaporated milk have
been of such a character as to make
up for diminished output.
There was a decided slump in but
ter production, averaging around
100000 pounds a month, over much
of the year. This curtailment re-
moved the big carry-over surplus from
last year and resulted in gradually
mounting prices, which at one time
were 10 cents a pound higher than
the 1924 level. STORAGE supplies now
are small, but production is pick
ing up.
The cheese output was short dur
ing the early months of the year, but
increased perceptibly later, with aver
age prices for the entire period show
ing Il slight Improvement
Condensed and eyaporated milk pro-
duction dropped off about 5000. 900
pounds from 1924 figures in most
months. but picked up later, in com
mon with butter and cheese.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
COTTON GOODS.

The chemical laboratory held out
4 helping hand to the cotton cloth
manufacturers in 1925. Use of rayon
or artificial silk in conjunction with
cotton served to stimulate demand
for attractive fabrics. The coarse
goods mills which make goods entire
" from cotton also showed marked
improvement during the year, aided
by the large crop of cotton and lower
prices for that raw material.
None the less, the year for the tex
tile industry was not satisfactory.
This great industry, in which half a
million workers are engaged and, in
good times. earn $3.50 900 900 to $780,
600, 600 4 year. has been in the throes
of depression since 1921. While il is
making its way out, the process is not
completed.
The mills Of the South. aided by
efficient labor, cheap hydro electric
power and nearneSS to raw material
supply. did cNcellentIy until the sum
mer, when drought cut Off power sup
ply and curtailed operations The
year in general. however. was one Of
fair profits for Southern manufac-
turers, although some of their goods
were made from cotton much higher
in price than the staple was quoted
when the goods We're sold.
The New England mills seemed well
on the way TO work out OF the rut In
which they had moved as the year
drew TO a close. Many mills We're run
ming at nearly 50 per cent of capacity.
This is due To the attention paid fine
goods and specialties which have ap-
pealed to the public taste. Realizing
that resistance to increase prices has
not lessened, mill executives have
turned their attention toward broad
ching profit margins by lowering
costs and raising worker efficiency.
The prospect for the industry is
brighter at present than at any time
since 1921
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
DRUGS AND CHEMICALS.

The drug and chemical trade was
materially aided during the year by
the Improvement in the fertilizer stu
alton and the general advance in in
duStrlal activity. One or two severe
blows were given some firms by de-
Velopment of synthetic chemicals in
foreign countries.
Industrial alcohol was extensively
contracted for when prices were down
IN June. The rise of IA per cent in
automobile registration boosted its use
IN antl-freeZe radiator mixtures.
Fertilizer consumption in the 1925
selling season was estimated at 5000
600 tons, as compared with 1880, 900
tons in 1924 and 1900, 900 in 1920, the
previous record year.
Denatured alcohol prices for the
first 10 months averaged 59.S5 cents
gallon as compared with an average
of 55.1 for the entire year 1924.
Glycerin prices We're higher in each
of the first 10 months than in the cor
responding periods of the previous
year they reflected road and mining
activity. The same was true of nitrate
of soda. Soda ash remained at the
same level as in 1924 and sulphuric
acid fell off slightly.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
FRUIT.

The fruit yield of the country for
1925 was heavy in most sections and
In the main was marketed at salts
factory prices The California season
started farorably. but climatic condi-
tions caused deterioration in transit.
Actual fresh shipments We're larger
than in 1924. The 1925 citrus fruit
season in California brought a de
Hvered price of $l22 ,2+G 900, of which
S93,5S1 900 went TO growers. The new
crop which started to move in Novem-
Der promises TO be equally good.
Grape shipments We're heavy and
those which reached market in good
shape brought good returns. Many
"a ism grape growers tried 10 break
Into the grape juice market, with in
different success. The raisin business
Is in the strongest position in years.
Cherries brought no profits and the
returns from plums. apples and pears
We're spotty. Imperial Valley canta-
loupes made a fine return.
In the Pacific northwest. apple
growers enjoyed the most prosperous
season in years and prices for other
fruits We're satisfactory. Eastern
ample growers also reaped fine profits.
Production of peaches. apples and
pears in the Southeast was smaller
than in 1924. but quality and prices
We're better. The Georgia orchards
Welded 1904 900 bushels of peaches.
which averaged S1.27 a bushel, as
compared with S,3l2 900 bushels at n
price of S1.0l last year The apple
crop of TAI 600 bushels sold at SLAP
a bushel. In 1924 the 1888, 900 bushel
crop brought an average of Sl.27 a
bushel.
The Louisiana strawberry crop was
short, but brought increased prices.
The Southern watermelon yield was
large and was marketed more advan-
tageously than in many previous
wears The Florida orange crop is
likely TO be shorter than in 1924. The
Louisiana orange crop brought an
average Of $3.50 a box
Fruit crops of the Midwest brought
generally satisfactory returns.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
HIDES AND LEATHER.

For the first time in five years
profits Of the leather companies We're
fairly satisfactory in 1925. The sur
plus stocks which had hung over the
market since war years, doing as
much price damage BY their quality
as by their volume. were finally
cleared out of existence. Production
by tanners was held closely to con
sumptiVe requirements.
These We're satisfactory, owing TO
the sharp increase in the production
OF shoes after Autumn set in and 70
the active industrial call engendei cd
by business activity. But the demand
was for the feathers OF cheaper grade
rather than for the finer qualities, and
price firmneSS in the former was much
more marked than in the latter
Hide prices for the year avera ged
1.26 cents pound above those for
1924. Calfskin prices averaged around
20.ll cents pound, as against 1912
In 1924. Sole leather prices were
stronger in every month in 1925 than
In the corresponding month of the
previous year. and the same was true
IF chrome calf. Production of backs,
bends and sides up TO October l to-
tailed II APO 900.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
PAINT.

New developments in the paint in
duStry, especially those involved in
the painting of automobiles. helped the
paint manufacturers in 1925 almost as
much as the heavy building construc-
ton program and the Improvement in
the farmer purchasing power. Pro
duction and sales of paint by the
larger companies was maintained at
a high level. Profits We've good de-
spite advances in the prices of raw
materials.
Lead, zinc, linseed oil and turpentine
advanced in price as the year pro-
crossed. After the first quarter tur-
pentine prices shot up sharply. Lin
seed oil was strong on account of
short fax crop, both in America and
Argentina. Lead and zinc were in
commanding positions, but the paint
compa MES in some cases obtained their
supplies from their own mines.
By-products used in making dyes
benefited from the Improvement in the
textile trade.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
AGRICULTURAL
EQUIPMENT.

Improved condition of the farmers
If this country was broadly reflected
in the volume Of sales OF farm equip
.uent. Heavy buying in every month
the year lifted the industry well
"ut of the depression class. Better
nent was 50 marked that the effect
,ould he noted in lumber, steel and
uther basic commodities. Sales eX-
ceeded those of 1924 by between %
and 80 per cent. with tractor sales
even better.
The more urgent needs of the
farmers We're filled, however, before
Winter set in. and further large-scale
buying seems likely To be held up
until Spring.
Profits OF manufacturers. which
have been buried under a flood OF red
ink for n considerable period were
reasonably good and the financial
position of the companies is such that
they probably will be more secure in
1926.
Many manufacturers are preparing
for heavy foreign business in the com
ing year, encouraged by the gain in
shipments, which, in the Fan months,
rose nearly l20 per cent above those
Of the corresponding period of 1924.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31

will go into 1926 with a fine volume of
untitled orders on their books. Not
only have the standard products been
in keen demand. but sales OF electric
refrigerators and other household de-
vices have been sufficient to create a
large volume of additional business.
The heavier types of machinery kept
factories busy on orders for railroad
electritication, and to equip new steam
and hydro-electric power plants and
additions to central power stations.
Production costs have been stable, so
that increased sales have been easily
translated into net income.
Electrification of homes increased
sharply and sales of household equip
ment were helped by attractive part
payment plans and extensive advertis-
ing. orders booked by the General
Electric Company in the first nine
months. of the year totaled 1924 ,000,-
600, or 10 per cent more than year
ago. Westinghouse reported a similar
trend, as did some other" concerns.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
PAPER.

Despite record breaking output and
consumption, earnings of United
States print paper mills declined
somewhat in 1925. This was because
savings in production costs have not
been sufficient to offset price cuts, eX-
cept for those companies with eXcep-
tionally low costs or those which sup
plement income by the sale of hydro
electric power.
The reason largely has been the eX-
pansion of the Canadian mills. For
the first 10 months of the year the
combined output of American and
Canadian mills was 6 per cent greater
than in 1924. The Canadian output,
according to present plans, shortly
will be increased by 16 per cent.
News print contract prices fell from
S73 a ton late in 1924 to SO in 1925
and to S65 for 1926 requirements.
Profits to American companies In
1925, however, were not absent by any
means.
Other branches of the paper in
dustry did well. There was a con-
sistent increase in sales of wrapping
paper, book paper and tissue. This
has resulted in some price increases.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
AIRPLANES.

Commercial aviation got its real
start in the United States in the last
year The largest single factor in
the boost to this infant industry came
from the Post Office Department and
the bidding on contracts for mail
routes.
The express and freight service es-
tablished under the auspices of Henry
Ford was successful ana was followed
immediately by announcement of
plans for the Inauguration of other
similar lines. 1t is evident a goodly
number of these will be in operation
in 1926. The plan to use dirigibles,
starting with the leasing of the
Shenandoah from the Government. re
Cetved a blow with the destruction of
that craft. But the arguments as to
the Army and Navy aviation services
served to strengthen the position of
the commercial companies planning
TO provide express, freight and pas
senger service by heavier-than-air ma
chimes,
Alrplane factories probably will be
rushed to capacity 10 provide craft for
the 'erViCes outlined
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
RUBBER.

Protests and complaints by manu-
faCturerS and Government officials
against restriction of rubber ship
ments from her Far Eastern colonies
by Great Britain We're unayailing in
1925. This restriction of supplies.
coupled with extraordinary demand by
tire manufacturers and makers of me.
chaniCal rubber goods and footwear,
entailed record consumption and high
prices.
In the first nine months of 1925,
CSC, 900 900 pounds Of crude rubber
were imported. of which 431 $50 600
pounds were used for tires in the en-
tire year of 1924. Prices rose from
around the 40-cent-a pound level early
in the year to s1.23 for spot rubber
smoked sheets, the highest point since
1908. There followed a drop of nearly
30 cents a pound, but this reaction
was checked and prices toward the
year end rose we'll above 81 a pound
Crude rubber supplies in this coun-
try and abroad have been dwindling
Stocks in London recently have fallen
10000 tons from the amount on hand
June 80, 1925. The export allowance
under the Stevenson plan was in
creased 10 per cent November /, but
this did not serve to build up stocks.
There is no sign of a sIackening in
manufacturing activities.
The advance in crude rubber in
most cases was passed on to the con-
sumner. Tire prices to retail buyers
were jumped 60 per cent during the
year. and tire makers are asserted to
have piled up the best profits since
1919.
The shortage in crude rubber caused
those American manufacturing firms
which own plantations to make every
effort to increase crude production.
One maker has started extensive cul-
tivatton on Liberian concession. But
development of plantations is a mat
ter OF six or seven years, and in the
meantime production is expected to
advance somewhat slowly, although
world stocks probably will increase ap-
preciably in 1926.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
AUTOMOBILES.

Not even the most optimistic of the
automobile manufacturers realized
what splendid year 1925 was to
prove. Manufacturers started out on
the sound policy Of holding production
close to sales. But demand grew so
rapidly that by the end of october
production Of passenger ears had
risen TO 3,196.067. Some companies
slowed up slightly in the last two
months OF the year, but output was
maintained at sufficient pace to assure
the breaking of all records when the
year ended The 10-month production
compares with 2S76322 cars in the
corresponding period of 1924 And the
total of cars and trucks turned out
to December ! was 3997.gI4
Lowering of prices and a-aDpinc I'm
OF production are credited with the
success OF the year. Profit margins
We're narrowed, but this was more
man made up for by the number of
cars made, distributed and sold. Man
Nfacturers found that American citi-
Zens. in 1925, at least, would rather
ride if they could have cars at a rea-
s'nahle price than spend the same
money IN other ways. a tremendous
proportion of the cars sold were
bought on a part-payment basis.
IN most factories the popularity of
the closed-Car models caused the
larger part of production to be devoted
I" that type, assuring good profits to
the body builders.
There was a quick turnover of used
cars. and dealers were in a better
position as to turn-ins on hand as the
year closed than since 1920. one of
the features of the year was the
change in the Ford design. which
served TO stimulate sales. although it
caused brief check in Ford produc-
tlon until the changes became familiar
t. workmen.
Many factories are increasing ca
racity. and there is every indication
that business throughout the first
quarter of 1926 will he ut n splendid
rate. Some makers predict 1926 SEIZED.
ules will call for production of 5,OOO,-
Ono cars 'S0''