Evening star., 1925-06-05
SPRING AUTO SALES
PERIOD STRETCHED
100000 Cars Turned Out
Last Month-Slight Gains
in Textile Industry.
BY j. G. ROYLE.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

SpeCidI Dispdtcn TO Inc star.
NEW YORK, June 5.-The automo-
bile industry admittedly is one of the
most accurate barometers of business
in the United States. 1t reflects both
the buying power and the buying urge
of the public, and it's ramifications
touch nearly every commodity pro
duced or manufactured in the coun-
try. The industry has been more ac-
tive in the last month than at any
time. Approximately 40G. 900 cars
were turned out of the factories in
May.
Moreover. sales have kept excellent
pace with production. There are no
big stocks on hand. Dealers have
been driving cars away from the fac
tory as fast as they were assembled
The Ford output is being maintained
and increased. The volume OF produc-
ton reached at the Hudson and Essex
factories has permitted cuts in the
prices of both cars recently.
Buying Period Stretched.
The Spring buying period has been
stretched out longer than usual, but
there is evidence that makers will
begin curtailment this month. Manv
expedients are being considered to
maintain sales during the Summer.
out that period normally is one of
SLACK business in automobiles, and
manufacturers are not likely TO load
themselves or their dealers up with
cars which they cannot move. Some
easing of production schedules is
therefore to be expected
Motor trucks have had one Of the
oest haif years IN history. and the vol
une OF sales Is calculated to carry the
total Tor the year above that of any
other twelvemonth, despite any Sum:
mer slump. May production broke all
records.
Accessory Sales Heavy.
Automobile accessory manufacturers
have done the largest business of their
history in late months, and this &C
tiVity promises to continue for three
months at least. Demand for tires
for original equipment and for re-
Placements is very strong. and the
pants are working at top speed.
Some check may be expected this
month owing to the high cost of rub
Der and the difficulty of getting spot
supplies. Tire prices have been ad
Vanced. and further increases are to
be expected
Certain sections of the textile trade
nave benefited materially from the ac-
tiVity in automobile and tire manufac.
ture. but the cotton mills are in any
thing but satisfactory position. They
are better placed than a year ago. how
ever, and their condition is on the un
grade. The number OF spindles active
mas been high and efforts now are be-
ing made TO cut output.
Cotton Outlook Good.
The condition of the cotton cron as
revealed by Government and private
reports indicates the possibility of an
extremely large production. The crop
mas got on TO good start, but il is
yet entirely too early to determine
what production will be. The fact that
some cotton mills are working full
time and returning profits would indi-
cate that some of the depression in the
industry is due to failure properly to
gauge public taste and demand.
Wool Trade Looking Up.
After decided slump in world mar
kets, the wool trade is looking up
Many stocks of wool were withdrawn
| from the market when prices dropped
and this, followed by increased mill
buying. has restored price levels to
some extent and stabilized the market
The woolen cloth industry still is in a
somewhat unsatisfactory condition,
but statisticians expect the years con-
sumption TO be fully up to normal
The silk trade, both natural and arti-
ficial. has had a splendid half year
Rayon production has been at the
highest known level and schedules
probably viii be maintained we'll
through the third quarter
Raw Silk Prices Strong.
Raw silk prices are strong and con-
sumption is very heavy. silk goods
producers report excellent earnings in
the last five months and anticipate a
fine demand for the third quarter The
printed silks have been the leading
factor in this prosperity The carpet
and rug trade is on a firm basis at
present, with dealers stocks low be-
cause Of the heavy Spring demand.
Nearly $500. 900 worth Of rugs were
sold at the May auctions of the Alex
ander Smith & Sons Carpet Co.