The Washington times., 1925-08-07
SUMMER TRADE
REPORTS ARE
GOOD
Increased Volume Generally
Shown in AL Lines of
Business
By RICHARD HATTON.


sectional or slight seasonal declines
in q few specific instances, the
general business tones Of the coun-
try cannot be considered in any
thing but a satisfactory light. Re-
cent reports from the several Fed
erai reserve districts, taken as a
whole, show decidedly favorable
business trend throughout the en-
tire country, while locally business,
and its barometer, banking, indi-
cate that this year is ahead OF
last year in the amount of trans
actions Of all kinds during June
and July.
Special sales Of summer goods
and of household wares, both in
Washington and in other large
cities, have served to stimulate the
retail trade, and there is ample
evidence in trade publications that
the jobbing trade for forward de.
livery Is steadily improving.
Washington is particularly in
terested in the outlook in the
Southern States, for the time is
coming when this city will be one
of the great feeders of the South
in a commercial way. 1t is worthy
to note, therefore, in connection
with the business outlook here that
the South made the greatest build
ing progress OF its history during
the first six months Of the present
year. It has been estimated that
there is a gain OF 30 per cent over
last year in this particular activity.
Wholesale Trade Good
: Possibly the wholesale trade as
reported from New York is 81 good
q criterion as can be found as to
general trade conditions. In re-
gard to this the August 1st month
" review OF credit and business
conditions by the Federal reserve
agent at New York says: "Aggre-
gate sales in June of 200 repre-
sentative wholesale dealers in this
district continued at about the
May level, but were is per cent
larger than in June, 1924.
More active demand for industrial
equipment was reflected in an in
crease in sales oH machine tools TO
nearly double those Of year ago.
and the largest since the spring Of
1928. silk goods sales, while
smaller than in the spring, con-
tinued unusually large for the sea-
son and there were substantial gains
over last year in women's dresses,
mems clothing, diamonds, hardware,
stationery sand cotton goods" 1t
IS evident from this report that, in
the lines covered, there is a good
demand, not only irSNew York, but
in all sections contiguous to the
metropolis.
Further indication of good bust
ness conditions is set forth in the
report on chain stores in New York
which shows that sales in these sys-
TENS were % per cent larger than
IN June last year, an unusually
large increase and sales per store
likewise compared more fayorably
than at any time in recent months.
The same Federal Reserve report
states that department store bust
ness in New York was larger than
during the same period last year,
while from Boston comes word that
''the net total Of recent develop
ments in the business situation has
been favorable to a large volume OF
production and trade in New Eng
land
Gain In Retail Orders
Manufacturers generally through
out the country are reporting an
increased volume of orders with
heavier shipments to the retail
trade which implies a steady and
persistent demand on the part Of
the public which is spending it's
money freely. In Chicago the stu
alton seems to be the same as IS
reported from New York and Bos.
ton, i.e., a decided increase in bust
ness over last year.
Along with these indications of
good business in the wholesale and
the retail trade, indications which
apply to Washington with the
same force that they apply to
Boston. New York and Chicago,
comes the recent statement of the
Secretary of Agriculture to the
effect that he is convinced that
this is going to be a good year
for agriculture. II see stronger
evidence of the approach of good
times for agriculture than l have
seen since 1920" says the head of
the Department Of Agriculture.
Estimates of the Department re-
Gently made public place the gross
income Of the farmers at $12, 1885,
000, 900, as compared with $11 1885,
600, 900 during the year ending
June 80, 1924.
Here, again, is clear indication
of the prosperity and the pur-
chasing ability of the country and
it is not necessary to be a farmer
to share in the prosperity. When
the farmer, is prosperous it is a
generally accepted axiom that all
lines are prosperous. In like
manner, when the rest OF the
United States is prosperous. the
Observation-Disclosures