Evening star., 1926-04-24
BUSINESS IS GOING
AT NORMAL PACE
Some Merchants Complain,
But Trade Volume Is
Holding Up Well.

Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, April 24.--There is no
Disgusting the fact that many mer-
chants and distributors are dissatis-
fed with the volume OF trade they are
receiving at present. In most cases,
this feeling would not seem warranted,
however, for trade volume Is fully up
to that of last year. The expectations
of many have been raised too high.
This Is shown by one authority in
the shoe trade who declares that craze
for style in shoes Is responsible for
the present impression that the shoe
trade Is not prosperous. After merch-
ants and manufacturers have gotten
through mourning over the decline In
business, this expert says, 1t is usually
found that the business was better
than was realized. The style craze
undoubtedly has helped to Kill large
seasonal selling. Shoes are bought
in small lots and frequently, retail
ers fearing that styles may change
before the shoes are delivered. But
Just as many people buy and wear
shoes as ever did.
Clothing Men Complain.
The apparel dealers also are among
the complainants, but the police blot
lcIS SHOW lew d1lC0lo AoA oPPOe~A NAASS
improperly clothed and the total num-
Der Of suits, dresses and coats bought
this year bids fair to exceed the totals
OF 1925.
Steel mills still are maintaining
their heavy production schedules,
with orders being booked in small
lots. but frequently. and the total vol
ume large. The weather has stimulat-
ed automobile sales, according to dis
patches from Detroit. More important
still has been the taking Of deliveries
by those who placed orders months
ago for Spring shipment. April de-
liveries should reach a new high
mark. Some Of the factories are con-
tinuing to establish new production
records. but not all are on capacity
basis. Tho Ford Co. Is working less
than a full week and Hudson has cur
tailed also.
The number Of new construction
contracts let increased this week.
aided by a slight easing of building
material prices. Some building mate
rial producers are slackening output,
but not to the extent Of making sharp
cuts in working forces. The amount OF
new lumber business being booked has
fallen slightly below the figures for
this time last year, but stocks are not
being allowed to pile up. Unified
orders have dropped about 25.00o,000
feet.
Coal Mines More Active.
Non-union soft coal mines are
showing slightly more activity. but
coal for next Fall, both bituminous
and anthracite, Is going into cellars
very slowly. The real test of the
future of the anthracite market Is
not likely to come until Fall. The
non ferrous metals have been weak
under influence Of the London mar
ket and the exchange situation.
This Is the season when fruit crop
prospects change fastest, but indica-
tions point to excellent crops in most
varieties. The canning situation has
been helped by the low price of sugar.
The raw sugar market is waiting to
see Just how effective measures TO
curtail this years Cuban production
will be. Some of the mills already
have finished grinding and naturally
arc not subject to curtailment. The
soft drink manufacturers are plan
ming the biggest season they have
ever enjoyed, although some OF the
new beverages may find the sales
path unstrewn with roses.
Wool Market Dull.
The wool market continues dull,
but the mohair clip is being moved
speedily out of first hands at prices
above the highest levels OF 1925.
A better note was struck in the
building trades situation in Chicago
when painters and lathers got to-
gether with employers on tho old
scale. The plasterers are still re-
calcitrant, however.
Furniture stores repor. consider
able advance buying Of household
furnishings to be delivered on or i'm
mediately after May /. when many
families move. Car loadings are very
heavy.