Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-03-06
TRADE HOLDS Up
AS STOCKS DROP
Commodity Markets Are Not
Seriously Changed by
Weeks Events.
BY j. c. ROYLE.


SPECIAL Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK. March 6.--Local re-
tail trade and some of the conmod-
ity markets, acutely susceptible to
Wall Street influence, undoubtedly
felt the adverse effects Of the stock
market slump of the week. But they
reacted to the support afforded and
to the steadying of the speculative
issues with equal readiness.
New York department stores re
ported that some of their woman Gus
toners had been warned to go slowly
in making purchases until the market
stabilized. On the other hand, brok-
ers say the feminine influence was
never more apparent than in the
check to selling under the sudden
drops recorded on the ticker. Brok-
ers report scores of their customers
who held stocks as investments de
clared their woman folk urged them
not to sell on q falling market, as
sertins, IF you sell, we'll just spend
the money and be no better off.
New Merger Announced.
The ruling OF the Interstate Com
merce Commission on the Nickel
Plate merger and the consent decree
obtained by the Department Of JUS
tice with the National Food Products
Corporation helped to clarity the
merger situation. Neither indicates
that mergers will be less frequent
or less extensive. IN fact, one huge
oil merger, that between the Tide
water Oil and Associated Oil com
panies. involving assets estimated al
$40, 100000, was announced today
But they do indicate that future
consultations will be so framed as
to come within the restrictions I'M
posed by the Federal officials.
The cold weather OF the week prob
ably added millions TO the returns TO
the fruit growers OF the country by
checking premature budding and con
seouent danger from frosts. The
nrnne supply OF the Nation is eH-
tremelv small and prices in this line
are strong. Citrus fruits also are
showing price Improvement In the
other fruits the low cost OF sugar
and small stocks make heavy can
ming operations inevitable later in the
year.
Dairy Products Do Well.
Producers of dairy products are do
ing well. The number OF men en-
nl0ved in the automobile industry IS
bipher than ever before in history.
steel production is improving. with
nItnlIt moving steadily upward,
reaching 80 per cent in the Pittsburgh
district. Actual volume of materials
used in building construction in the
last month is heavier than III any
similar period. building material
nrices are we'll stabilized, but labor
costs have shown a slight advance
The technical position of lumber
strengthened during the week.
The strike in the textile trades IN
New Jersey is disturbing factor.
hut predictions Of labor leaders that
the trouble will spread to New Eng
land are not taken too seriously.
Ravon continues in strong demand.
The non-ferrous metals were acute
~ responsive during a part OF the
week to the movements Of the Stock
Exchange Copper, lead and zinc all
reflected the drops recorded. Tin, In
active demand from London, re-
NAMED strong. The silver position
found nothing in the Oriental trade
and political situation to strengthen
ii.
Radio Demand Improves.
Once equipment and tabulating and
computing machines Of various sorts
are showing activity commensurate