davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1926-12-31
RUBBER

Crude rubber prices marched briskly
down the steps in the first six months
Of 1926, from near the dollar mark
to the 40 cent level or below. They
lowered around the latter mark during
the remainder of the year.
The cause of this was the decreased
American consumption. Despite the
huge new automobile production in
the first half year and the normal re.
placement demand, consumption by
American tire and rubber manufac-
turers was some 10000 tons lighter
than in 1925, when $4,000 tons were
used. Expected consumption at the
beginning Of the year was placed at
100000 tons. The drop was attributed
to the use Of reclaimed rubber, which
was used in a ratio to crude Of more
than 40 per cent
Despite the drop in crude rubber
prices, 1t is expected that when full
returns are available profits Of tire
manufacturers for the year will prove
slightly less than those of the pre-.
vious twelven1onth. There were three
Evening star., 1926-12-31
PETROLEUM

The petroleum industry in general
had the most prosperous year in its
history. Profits or the larger and
more important oil companies ex-
ceeded those Of 1925 by approximately
20 per cent. Production was of record
breaking proportions, and so was con
sumption. Tho technical position of
the commodity was stronger at the
close Of the year than at the end of
1925.
That technical position, however.
was weakened somewhat by heavy
output during the last quarter of
the year, when daily production ran
as high as 100000 barrels. This,
with seasonal decline in gasoline de-
mand, resulted in price cuts for both
crude and refined products, but the
markets were not disorganized and
the future of the industry Is bright
for the Spring Of 1927.
Evening star., 1926-12-31
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

Buying of electrical goods of all
types held up remarkably throughout
the entire year. Bookings by the
larger manufacturers were the
largest on record, and earnings com
pared more than favorably with pre-
ViouS years.
Perhaps the outstanding feature of
the year was the development of cleo
trio refrigeration systems. Electric
refrigerator sales were about four
times as heavy as in 1925. But many
additional manufacturers entered this
field and a period of intensive com
petition is undoubtedly at hand. In
spite of this trend, which has had the
effect Of cutting profit margins, the
prospect for the well managed, ade-
quately financed companies is excel
lent. Manufacturers of household
electrical Equipment registered heavy
sales. The demand for heavy electri-
cal equipment was exceptional, fol-
lowing the trend of expansion In the
power generating field. Electric lamp
Evening star., 1926-12-31
DRUGS AND CHEMICALS

Industrial chemical manufacturers
made profits approximately 25 per
cent larger in 1926 than in 1925. In
fact, seven companies reporting for
the first three quarters Of the year
showed a combined gain of 27.5 per
cent. This reflected the high rate
| of industrial activity all over the
country.
Sulphuric acid, one of the most
widely used chemicals, advanced 5
cents over the 1925 price level in the
latter part of the year, and scores
Of new plants were built or projected.
Sulphur prices, both domestic and ex-
port, were high and showed no signs
of weakness. Demand continued
right up to the close of. this month
and 1t was necessary to curtail ex-
ports somewhat. Profits for some
70 1f5 per cent
Soda ash prices were steady through
out the year at 1925 levels, while sui
phate of ammonia fell off sharply, as
did fish scrap, also used in fertilizer
Potash prices advanced along with
ocean freight rates, but still remained
under the 1914 level. Phosphates
were strong, but Chilean nitrates
found sharp opposition in the syn
thettc German product. Fertilizer
companies were helped by advancing
prices, and sales during the 1926
season were excellent, but their stu.
alton has been complicated by the
probability of curtailment of cotton
acreage in 1927.
Industrial alcohol, after a disas.
trous drop earlier in the year, due to
the huge Cuban sugar crop and con-
sequent high production of black
strap molasses, from which much al
| cohol is made, recovered some ground
| as the year drew to q close. When
| cold weather brought non.freeze mix
lures into demand, 1t was necessary
to draw on reserve stocks. Nitrate
Of soda was well under the 1925 price
range most Of the time, but glycerin
prices were very strong, owing to
steady increase in the use Of explo-
sives for industrial, agricultural and
road building purposes.
Evening star., 1926-12-31
DRY GOODS

Nothing so convincingly illustrated
the enormous buying power of the
country in the past year as the trend
of retail dry goods sales. These
ranged from to IS per cent higher
in 1926 than in 1925 for most mer-
chants. The profits closely followed
the sales advance and dry goods had
one of the most prosperous years in
the history of the country.
The mail order houses eXcelled all
former years records, despite the
check to trade which conditions in
some CT the agricultural sections ex-
erted. Sales of the more prominent
mail order houses approximated $780,
000.000 for the year. Chain stores,
with the exception of those handling
shoes, reported gains of as high as
Is per cent Department stores sales
have exceeded those of last year con-
sistently, according to figures com
piled by Government agencies COW
ering 500 stores.
Evening star., 1926-12-31
SILK

It was q spotty year in silk manu-
facture. The hosiery producers did
splendidly, aided by the wide variety
of shades which this years fashions
compelled dealers to keep, and by the
continued vogue for short skirts The
knit goods trades also made satisfac-
tory progress, but the tide Of profits
turned outward in the case OF some
broad silk manufacturers.
The first six months Of the year
were disappointing to manufacturers
because of strong buyer resistance to
prices. The situation bettered ma
terially in the third quarter, but was
complicated later by the sharp drop in
cotton and cotton goods value and
the slump in raw silk prices This
curtailed buying. since purchasers
hoped to benefit by further reductions.
The outlook for the Spring trade, how
ever. is regarded as brighter than a
year ago.
Evening star., 1926-12-31
GLASS

Nineteen twenty-six was q year of
expansion in the glass industry. This
trend was fostered by the splendid de-
mand for plate glass for automobiles
and building purposes, the call for
window glass and the huge sales Of
glass bottles and containers used In
the soft drink and preserving trade.
Plate glass sales were aided by dis
covery that "a inch thick plate glass
could be produced as cheaply as Il
inch. This stimulated demand for
plate in dwellings,, since it obviated
necessity for special window frames
and weights.
The trend toward closed automobiles
caused a big increase in plate glass
demand. The number of workers en-
ployed in the industry was consistent
ly greater than in 1925. Production
of electric light bulbs totaled more
than 300.000,000 during the year.
Lowering of prices stimulated lamp
sales.
Evening star., 1926-12-31
NON.FERROUS METALS

Some of the companies engaged in
production of non-ferrous metals had
a good year, but for many Of them re-
turns were only fair. Consumption of
nearly all the metals was heavy, but
production of some was of sufficient
volume to hold prices down.
Copper fluctuated through fairly
narrow range above and below IA
cents q pound. In the early part Of
the year many producers did well, but
foreign consumption was checked by
economic conditions, such as the Brit
ish coal strike. The drop in silver
hurt those who depend on the silver
content of their ores to pay certain
extraction charges. The Copper EX-
port Association did not get get into
full stride, and the check to building
and automobile production leSsened
demand at the year end.
Lead and zinc prices dropped from
last January to nearly midyear under
heavy production. Then prices recov-
cred and turned upward, only to drop
again in the late Fall.
Supplies of tin were short during
much of the year, and with the auto
mobile trade, the tinplate mills and
building construction consuming at a
high rate, prices went high. Demand
fell off during the Fall.
Aluminium business was Of fine pro-
portions in the first part of the year.
Later business fell off, influenced by
reports of price cutting abroad, which,
with heavy stocks on hand, led con-
sumers to hope for lower prices.
The vogue for platinum in jewelry
continued unabated. Prices for latter
metal fuctuated between $108 and
Sis an ounce during the year. Gold,
of course, is not subject to fluctuation,
and gold mining activities fell off even
from 1925 levels. The fashion for
emeralds and sapphires sent those
gems up in price, and rubies and
pearls also were in big demand.
Diamond prices were well stabilized.
Evening star., 1926-12-31
LUMBER

Stability was the watchword of
the lumber industry in 1925. De-
mand was fairly constant owing
to the volume of building construc-
ton, and prices We're well main
tanned at or about the same levels
as in 1925. This was made possible
by careful estimates of demand and
restriction of output. At some times
production ran up, but the heads of
the industry were quick to advocate
a check to such tendencies.
The hurricane in the Southeast in
the Fall accounted for an additional
lumber demand, but foreign shipments
We're not particularly heavy. During
the first three quarters of the year
10, 1858, 100000 feet of yellow pine,
Western pine and Douglas fir were
produced. In the last three months,
when building slackened a trifle, this
rate was reduced slightly. The entire
1925 production of these softwoods
was about IA ,022 900 900 feet.
Hardwoods were in fine demand and
some large stands of hardwood timber
changed hands at high prices during
the year. Railroad maintenance ac-
counted for q large amount of general
lumber consumption.
Evening star., 1926-12-31

Soft coal fiuctuated widely during
1926, but the industry as a whole had
better year than in 1925. 1t is not
out of the woods and it's future re-
mains one of the business problems
OF the country. When the anthracite
strike was settled last February that
end Of the industry got back to work
and has plowed steadily along ever
since, producing between 5000 900
and 100000 tons a month. How
ever, the strike undoubtedly dam
aged some markets, and prices after
July were under the level of 1925.
Bituminous coal was at high level
of production and prices during the
first two months of the year. For
four months thereafter production
eaSed off, but not to the 1925 mark.
Prices fell sharply. Then came the
British strike. with heavy demand
for American fuel. Mines started up
that had been closed for months and
even years. Miners who had been
working but few hours a week went
on full time. Prices shot up as high
as $1150 ton at Boston.
The main benefit came to mines
within reaching distance of Atlantic
ports, and operators in some of these
sections voluntarily raised wages to
or above the Jacksonville scale. Since
the Eastern mine output went
abroad Midwest producers benefited
from the heavy demand for lake
shipments to the Northwest, which
| aggregated more than 1000 900 tons.
Still further West the situation of
both miners and operators was un-
| improved.
When the British miners struggled
| back to work soft coal prices began
| to drOn and miners in some pronar.
| ties were notified that the high wage
| level could not be maintained. Yet
| the shortage in Europe was such as
| TO keep the price from sharp and
sudden drops. Production was main.
| tanned in November around 1900 900
| tons a week, or 4,700,000 tons above
normal domestic requirements.
Evening star., 1926-12-31
RADIO

Radio sales in 1926 approximated
$3.50, 100000. This was a gain of be-
tween SIS, 100000 and 100000, 900 as
compared with 1925. In the first
months of the year the industry suf-
fered from overproduction and from
severe competition by a tremendous
number of new companies. The
poorly financed companies were finally
shaken out to a considerable extent.
New and improved equipment, ex-
tensive advertising, low prices, lib
eral trade-in and financing policies,
and better broadcasting served to
stimulate sales. The heavy expense
for plant expansion and development
of new models has initiated against
net income for some companies, and
profits in general for the year will
not show so great an increase as did
gross sales.
Evening star., 1926-12-31
CANNED GOODS

CannerS and preservers had their
ups and downs in various sections oi
the country. but taking the industry
as whole they had a year such as
most or them dream of. Demand was
steady and constant. The season
started with no overburiensome
stocks. Sales were large and mar.
kets were not diSorganized by radical
fluctuations of prices
Fruits were grown in abundance,
and came into the Gamers bins at
prices enough under those of last wear
TO afford widening of profit margins.
Some vegetable crops were in short
supply in isolated sections. but this
was not a general trend, except in the
pickle industry.
The trade staggered somewhat
under the terrific production OF sweet
potatoes and under the load of dried
and preserved fruits which huge crops
and bad marketing threw into DRYERS
and preservers' hands.
Evening star., 1926-12-31
FURNITURE

Fashions in furniture had much to
do with the prosperous year which is
just being concluded for furniture
manufacturers. The volume of home
building was not so heavy as in 1925.
but the demand for household furni-
ture was fully as strong. This trend
was fostered by the spreading applica-
ton of installment selling, which was
a feature OF the year.
Office furniture has been in con-
stant demand, as was to be expected
during a period of high business activ-
ity and prosperity. All in all, the
manufacturers had a most satisfac-
tory twelvemonth, with factories work
ing at good rate, especially in the
sections near hardwood supplies, such
as Michigan and Louisiana.
Evening star., 1926-12-31
POTATOES

The potato crop approximated $780,
100000 bushels in 1926, or almost
halfway between the extremely small
crop of 1925 and the average pro-
duction of the last years. The
quality of the tubers was not es-
pecially good, since frost and blight
damage was fairly heavy. The acre
age was small but the crop yield per
acre, 1927 bushels, was high, due
largely to improved seed.
The sweet potato crop was an enor-
nous one, aggregating S4,346 900
bushels, a gain of 22.000,000 bushels
over the 1925 yield. This heavy pro
duction resulted in lower prices but
aggregate returns We're high.
Evening star., 1926-12-31

'sCut Your garment according 20
your cloth"
Workers. employers. distributors
and producers can find no more po.
tent maxim to gOvern their operations
for 1927. Rtit the cloth of business
is composed OF the yarns which the
basic commodities have supplied for
warp and Wnof. ON the strength or
weakness Of the commodities depends
the business fabric which will cover
.he United States during the comm =
year. The following surveys OF the
movements Of haslc commodity mar
kets in 1925 indicates the dependence
10 be placed on the individual
threads
Evening star., 1926-12-31
RAYON

Strong competition marked the prog
ress of the rayon industry In the last
year. This came from foreign as well
as domestic manufacturers. Produc-
tion was the highest ever established,
exceeding that Of 1925 by approxi-
mately 20 per cent. But the level of
prices was lower, and this cut down
the margin of profit of the manufac-
turers. who. none the less, had fine
year in most instances. Profits were
helped by lower prices for cotton
linters and ammonia. both used in
rayon production.
Total production for the year is
placed at about 64.000.000 pounds, as
against 52,250.0 900 pounds last year.
Prices were reduced an average of
about 35 cents a pound in July and
suffered another sharp cut late in
November.
Evening star., 1926-12-31
CEMENT

Highly competitive conditions OBJ
tained in the cement industry through.
out the year, due largely to the tre-
mendous increase in plant capacity
which has taken place since the huge
building demand has been in progress.
There is little doubt that when the fig
ureS Tor the year are totaled a. pro.
duction of some l66, 6,65O.OOO barrels
will be shown. This compares with
l61, 100000 barrels in 1925.
Sales of some companies have been
20 per cent in excess of those of last
year. but net profits have shown only
minor increases. Stocks on hand
showed no tremendous increase, how.
ever. and the future of the industry
in the early months of 1927 is regard.
ed as bright. Prices We're uniformly
below those Of 1925, the difference
being about 10 cents a barrel at the
plants.
Evening star., 1926-12-31
AGRICULTURAL
EQUIPMENT

Domestic sales of farm implement
manufacturers were about 20 per
cent larger in 1925 than in 1925 and
foreign sales rose more than 15 per
cent. In consequence, earnings of
most manufacturers in this line were
the best reported since 1920. The de-
mand for combines and tractors was
the feature of the year. 1t is esti-
mated 10000 of the former were sold
this season in Texas, Oklahoma, Col
orado and Kansas.
The slump in cotton and the un-
favorable weather which existed in
some parts of the Middle West in the
Fall cut sales somewhat, but not
enough to endanger the fine results
of the earlier months. the outlook
for 1927, however. is by no means
so bright
Evening star., 1926-12-31
HATS

Felt hat manufacturers had an ex.
cellent year, although the prices of
raw material showed the effect of
scarcity. The vogue for womens felt
hats was a feature and the materials
employed in the fur felts rose in price
The late Spring initiated against the
straw hat trade, but the volume of
sales when demand did materialize
was well maintained, with less neces.
sity for bargain offerings to clear
stocks than usual. The Winter resort
season exerted a favorable influence
from October on.
Evening star., 1926-12-31
BRICK

Careful estimates of consumptive
demand. more economical manage
,nent and the heavy volume of build
ing construction combined to give
brick manufacturers a satisfactory II
not a record-breaking year. Face
brick were turned out in excess Of 300,-
600, 900 units.
These factors combined to make up
the difference in the prices obtained
for ordinary building brick, which
averaged $1393 a thousand for the
first three quarters of the year, as
compared with $14.0l for the preced.
ing IL months.
Evening star., 1926-12-31
HARDWARE

The tremendous volume of building
construction in the last year kept de.
mand for hardware at high pitch.
This was especially true of plumbers
and steam filters supplies.
Prices were strong and steady, but
costs of materials to manufacturers
were high.
The farming communities bought
freely during the first three quarters,
but agricultural sales fell off late in
the year, as was natural. All in all it
was fine year for the hardware
trade.
Evening star., 1926-12-31

that a large amount Of 1928 wool,
held over by dealers and growers.
camo on the market this year In.
dications OF the increase In produc.
ton can be gained from the fact that
$4,000 moro sbeep were slaughtered
In 1928 than in 1925. The pulled wool
from these alone was an Appreciabls
item.
The above facts DO not mean TIA.
wool growers ended the year In bah
case. Most Of them are In s1ch con.
dition that they can afford 70 hold
their stocks for favornhle r1arkst
Evening star., 1926-12-31
HIDES AND LEATHER

Hide and leather companies suffered
during the first half year from the eX-
tremely backward demand for shoes.
In the Fall months the sharp rise in
shoe production resulted in better
prices, but in the last two months of
the year shoemakers were cautious
about placing orders, and some reces-
sion took place in upper feathers.
On the other hand, sole and offal
feathers remained exceedingly strong,
since production in these lines cannot
be rapidly increased. The Fall demand
from the shoe industry therefore re-
duced stocks and left the sole leather
men in Il strong statistical position.
Evening star., 1926-12-31
MOST PRODUCTS BRING
PRODUCERS GOOD PROFIT
Farm Implement Sales Better and Tex.
tiles Find Somewhat Reader Market.
Auto Trade Is Spotty.

nations, which would tend To cut
costs. AS a result of these, and of the
low and steady price of sugar. profits
n most instances were excellent. with
the larger volume OF business main.
tanned right up to date. Even the
slight advance in sugar prices after
November l did not tend To diminish
profits. Some makers NJ package
candies made remarkable successes
although others found the market
oVerstocked with this variety of CON
fections.
Evening star., 1926-12-31
PACKING HOUSE
PRODUCTS

A number of the packing house
companies found their 1926 profits be
low those Of the preceding year. This
was due to a number of causes. Some
lost heavily because of a price war in
volving their Argentine plants and the
London markets.
Hog supplies have been limited, first
by bad weather and later by hog chol-
era. and prices have been high. De-
mand for pork products has not been
particularly brisk. Export business In
these lines has been poor. In addi-
ton, owing to the amount of corn
available. the hogs sent to market
have been exceedingly heavy in
weight, producing much lard. Lard
has been affected by the sharp drop
in cottonseed oil prices.
Evening star., 1926-12-31
COFFEE

Brazilian growers sold far more cof-
fee to the United States than in 1925,
but they disposed of it at a somewhat
lower level of prices. Restrictive
measures at Santos and Rio de ia
neiro were not effective. In the first
nine months of the year ! ,0S2, 900, 900
pounds of coffee were imported, a
monthly average of 120 ,255.500 pounds.
This compares with a monthly aver
age for 1875 of 106, 800 900 pounds.
Prices for spot Rio No grades
Evening star., 1926-12-31

Increased yields in all the wool-pro-
ducing countries of the world were a
dominant factor in the raw wool sit
uation in 1925. Prices sagged stead
lily from January to August, when q
slight recovery began to be manifest.
This increased In September and Oc-
tober, but in the later months of the
year prices again turned downward
This was due in part to the fact
Evening star., 1926-12-31
PAPER

Paper manufacturers enjoyed a
most prosperous year. Production for
the industry ran about 10 per cent
heavier than in 1925 and prices We're
far more stable. The favorable trend
was felt in practically all grades of
paper, but the writing paper sections
reported poorest results.
News print, on the other hand, ex-
panded extensively. The combined
Evening star., 1926-12-31
TEA

Imports of tea into the United
States fell off trifie from the 101,.
040, ,000-pound total of 1925. The i'm
ports this year are expected to run
about 100000 pounds less when final
figures are assembled. The increase
in consumption did not amount to as
much as the increase in population.
but prices were approximately a half
cent pound higher than in the
previous year.
Evening star., 1926-12-31
PAINT

The paint industry had a highly
satisfactory year. with profits for the
larger producers at Il higher level than
in 1925. Sales were aided by a num-
ber of factors, chief among which
were the heavy volume of building,
the large production of automobiles
and farm machinery units and the
active market for by-products result
ing from paint manufacture.
Evening star., 1926-12-31
RICE

Rice production gained remarkably
during the year, owing to the in
creased acreage in California, Louisi-
ana and Texas. The crop aggregated
40.S10.000 bushels, as compared with
4,300, 900 in 1925.
Prices as the year drew to a close
were above those for the late months
of 1925. California acreage jumped
nearly so per cent.
Evening star., 1926-12-31
FLOUR

Flour production was maintained
at a heavier rate than in 1925. when
125, 100, 900 barrels were produced, the
monthly average being approximately
9,500000 barrels as against $3.50. 900.
Prices were on a lower scale than In
the previous year. but wheat was
cheaper, so that the manufacturers
In most instances showed excellent
profits.