Evening star., 1927-03-19
EMPLOYMENT GAIN
SHOWS GOOD TRADE
Healthy Increase in Indus
trial Operations Is Indicated
in Weeks Activities.
BY j. c. ROYLE.

Special Dispatch to The Star
NEW YORK, March l9.-The
steady increase in employment wnlch
mas taken place is the outstanding
feature of the week in the business
outlook of the country. The idle work
Ners have been nearly all absorbed
consequently volume of money avail
able for retail purchases is again phi
ing up. Moreover, the tide of employ
ment indicates a most healthy IN
crease in industrial operations.
Agricultural operations are gath
ering speed rapidly under the impetus
of early warm weather. F'latterinG
grain crop prospects have resulted in
unprecedented sales of harvesting and
threshing machinery all over west
Texas. On the Pacific slope the agri-
cultural situation is excellent and the
crop prospect in the northwest is en-
couraging.
The South is feeling the uncertainty
as to the future of cotton and retail
trade has fallen off in some sections.
But the southern textile plants are
remarkably well engaged. The out
look for the New England mills is
less bright, but experts declare inn
provement is being shown.
Building Picking Up.
Workers in the building trades, who
have been through a period of sea-
sonal idlenesS are going back to work
in swarms. Building contracts and
new permits show a gain as compared
with this time last year and construc-
tion in scores of sections is being
rushed. Several of the basic building
materials show slight price increases,
among them crushed stone, lime, hol-
1.NewW IL s.An
A few lines, notably cement, steel
pipe and white lead, show some de-
cline. There is strong opposition to
wage increases, and most of the ar
tisans Of the country are continuing
old agreements. The lumber industry
is somewhat unsettled.
Steel operations are continuing at
q high rate with demand fine for
immediate deliveries. Some automo-
bile factories are so rushed that they
are unable to make prompt deliveries
but others have found sales disap-
pointing. In general, however, the
industry is proceeding at almost
record rate. The nonferrous metals
have been quiet and steady. The
possibility of importations of Euro
pete with the Cuban products has
natured alcohol business.
Reductions in price without corre-
spending reductions in output
characterized the petroleum situation.
In the Seminole field the coming in
of three big gushers flowing 16,500
barrels daily foiled attempts TO cut
output and operations have failed so
far to reach a definite working agree
ment to that end.
Sporting Goods Moving.
The sales of base ball and golf
goods and various sporting equip
ment reached unprecedented proper
tions in many cities during the week.
Sporting goods houses anticipate
big year and the resort owners are
preparing for a remarkable demand
for accommodations. This has
brought these property owners
strongly behind the move for good
roads and some States are preparing
10 issue weekly bulletins on the
highways within their borders and
their condition all during the Sum-
mer.
Records are being established in
the writing of new life insurance.
The group plan is responsible for
good amount of this business. Cen
eral Electric employees are carrying
" 320O0,OO0 of this type of insurance.
Formation of new corporations to
distribute American mechanical prod
ucts in foreign nations indicates a de
termination by American manufactur-
ers to make a determined drive for
new market openings.
Another advance in the prices of
rayon indicated domestic producers
were in better shape SO far as foreign
competition was concerned.