Evening star., 1925-11-28
BUSINESS lively
DURING PAST WEEK
Higher Prices in Some Lines
Reported-HoIiday Aid to
Retail Trade.
RY J. E. ROyLE.
special D,spatch to The sta,

NEW YORK. November 2s.-Ihe
Thanksgiving holiday broke the steady
volume Of production this week. but
had no appreciable effect on the daily
rate of output. distribution, sales and
consumption Of commodities. Instead.
retail trade received a distinct impetus
and basic industries showed an I'm
Drovement which seems unlikely to be
disturbed before January l.
Some few organizations seized on
the holiday as a favorable opportunity
to check activities for taking of inven-
tories. But II was noticeable that no
respite was allowed the ma iority OF
concerns with heavy forward orders.
In fact. inventories in general are
low. and II will require less delay a nd
effort than usual this year to enable
business concerns to determine where
they stand. Most ~ them know pretty
conclusively they are on the profit
side OF the ledger.
Stronger Prices Noted.
Stronger prices in some lines left ac-
tivities Of iron and steel unchecked.
Pittsburgh showed healthy improve
ment. Production at Cleveland plants
Is running at 81 per cent Of capacity.
according to canvass Of open hearth
and blast furnaces. The mills Of the
Mahoning Valley are running per
cent above this rate.
Youngstown mills report ronsid-
cradle tonnage will he carried into
the first quarter Of 1925 because Of the
substantial back logs which have been
established. similar condition ex
lists in the Chicago district. a large
tinplate tonnage is overhsnginc the
market and is expected to he released
in December. Bolt nut and screw
manufacturers are increasing working
forces. The Colorado and Utah pla mt 8
are expanding operation with produc-
tion moving steadily into consuming
cha annels.
Motor Plants Less Active.
credited with aiding this condition
although Industrial employment in
Detroit fell off c.l3a in the last week
to a total OF 2ss.s47 workers. which
compares with 1a7.334 year ago.
The high price Of rubber Is causing
expressions of concern from tire
manufa cturers. but the sales in the
year ended October 81 of one Of the
loudest comrlainers totaled s125.57a.-
aas. a gain Of $40. 400. 600 over the pre-.
ceding year and double that OF 1922.
Production of rubber footwear and
mechanical goods is goins forward
vigorously.
The opinion expressed in the letter
OF President John l.. Lewis Of the
United Mine Workers to President
Coolidge apparently had the effect Of
spurrins bituminous production TO a
new high level. especially from the
non-unon minee.
Chances for settlement nf the an.
thracite strike as result Of the latest
Pinchot conference proposal still seem
uncertain.
OH Position Improves.
The petroleum industry is improv.
ing its position. although there has
been an increase in late production
reports from Oklahoma fields. Some
price advances have been recorded
Building has been exceptionally act
i've, despite the approach Of cold
weather. and there has been stifYeninz
of prices in lumber. cement. brick and
hollow tile. Linseed oil has shown
some activity and strength. In the
Pacific Northwest production has been
per cent under new business and
Southern producers report a similarly
advantageous condition.
The non.ferrous metal markets have
been somewhat weaker than produc
ers could wish. Copper was affected
nv increased world production and
slack foreign demand. but lead and sil-
yer has been fairly steady. Galvaniz.
ers' demand kept zinc up. Sugar has
been dull. incluenced hy-Ahe starting
Of the new grinding campaign in
Cuba
The cotton textile men are still
somewhat uncertain as TO the croD po-
sition, but wool is strong, with ad-
vancing prices recorded in the West
and silk is firm, with mills active.
The situation of the live stock mar
ket is tending to reduce apprehension
rega riding the position Of corn grow
ers In the midwest Railroad traffic
continued fairly heavy, despite the
holiday.