Evening star., 1925-09-12
BRISK FALL ORDERS
spur TO BUSINESS
Long Drought in South Most
Serious Blow to Steady
Gains in Industry.
BY j. c. ROYIE.
Special Dispatch TO The Star.

Special Dispatch TO The Star
NEW YORK, September 12.--Busi-
ness stepped out al a brisker pace In
the last week under the first touch of
the spur of Fall demand. But perha ps
the most potent factor in the industrial
and commercial lines of the country
was the continued drought in the
Southeast.
The Alaba ma Power Co. cut in half
the amount OF electric current II has
been supplying to Georgia and the
Caroiinas and announced there might
be a still further Curtsilment of "eS-
port" power. Ninety per cent OF the
Alabama compa any's current is now be
ing generated ct the steam pla nts
owned by the Government at Muscle
Shoals owing 10 lowness of strea ms
were hydro-electric plants are located.
Much Current Cut on
Current for signs and other illumi'
nation not deemed essential to mtintci-
pal safety has been cut off in many
cities. Street ears have reduced their
opera ting schedules 25 per cent. 1t
may be necessary to delay some deliv-
cries from Southern factories for a. n
additional 80 days, owing TO power
curtailment.
A portion OF the cotton crop has
on Northern markets and New Eng
land textile mill operst tions. Dry goods
sales all over the country have been
excellent, however. One noticeable
feature has been the success OF early
Fall and Winter overcoat and fur
sales. This is taken to indicate that
while the public has ample money with
which 10 buy, II proposes 10 get the
most for Its money and Ii strongly op-
posed to price increa ses.
Steel Outlook Good.
Factors are thoroughly favorable In
the steel industry. but there is little in
dication of a desire to press for higher
prices on the part of manufa cturers.
The automobile industry continues 10
increase production following a re.
ma rka BILE dema nd for cars. Industrial
employment in Detroit, which reflects
the automobile condition accurately
increased the last week by 2.9S3 work
ers to a new high total for all time
of 246 ,985. This represents a gain OF
AZ ,65l since January /. Every depart
ment OF the Olds Motor works has bees
placed on overtime to keep producton
within reaching distance of dera nu
The September schedule calls fef o,oVO
sedans and coaches aloneA
Lower Crude Oil 1sely.
Oil cuts were confred largely to
slight drops in fIlius station prices.
but petroleum men IN view OF the con
tinued heavy proxuction of crude, an
ticipate crude prices will go lower.
VsYue rlmors that the anthracite
strike migke spread TO the bituminous
mines ccdtinued to pop up in unex-
pected quarters, but for the most pa TT
were secuted by operators and miners.
N d,1h q
spout what strikes in union mines
might show of the strength OF the non
union producers.
The invitation OF Gov. Pinchot TO
representatives of the operators and
miners to confer with him did not
come as a surprise, but little hope was
expressed that It would lead TO imme-
date settlement.
Candy Stores Expanding.
Chain candy stores ahe preparing to
open additional branches in a number
of districts, and the confectioners are
confident they will register a banner
year in 1925, aided by the stability of
sugar prices. For the first time the
amount of Americsn-msde toys ship
ped abroad has exceeded those import.
ed into this country.
Lumber production shipments and
new business fell off somewhat, but
building Is proceeding at a record pace
and the check is regarded as purely
temporary. The knit goods manufac-
turers report business on Fall and Win
ter weight underwear has been heavy,
and makers of balbriggans, sweaters
and bathing suits are heavily en-
gagged. Consumption has caught up
with production in silk hose.
Shipping is becoming more active
than IL has been In several wears
Operating costs have been stable and
both passenger and freight traffic has
improved as compared with 1924