Evening star., 1928-02-24
SPEEDED
BY BETTER BUYING
Steel, Auto and Building 0p-
erations Improve-0ther
Lines Active.

Special Dispatch to The Star
NEW YORK, February 24.-The
volume of goods made and distributed
in the last four weeks has shown a
marked increase from the totals for the
four weeks preceding. This gives a
strong backing to the assertions that
the industrial situation Is Frightening.
It would seem to be another instance to
prove the oft-repeated assertion that
the movement of the stock market does
not necessarily, or even usually. repre-
sent the immediate movement OF indus
try, commerce and trade.
The three big basic industries which
have as much effect as any others in
the list have shown unmistakable i'm
provement. These are steel, automo-
bile manufacture and building construc-
ton. The ramifications of these three
industries are so widespread that their
activities have served to stimulate the
circulation Of the entire business body.
A number of machinery manufacturers
in the Middle West have had the best
February in their history.
Steel Operations Increase.
Steel operations continue on the in
crease. On March l the American Steel
g. Iron Co. will start another one Of its
furnaces in the central group This
will make three in blast in northern
Ohio Midland Steel Products Co..
manufacturer of automobile frames, has
booked orders for $1,000 frames for
March delivery. This is the largest
months frame business ever booked by
the company.
Employment and production in the
Detroit automobile factories are steadily
advancing Distribution of cars Is
proceeding with less friction and less
resistance than was anticipated month
ago.
Building Is proceeding at a stiff pace
and construction today Is at a rate be-
tween IS and 90 per cent In excess Of
that of last year, which was one Of the
greatest years in building history There
is no prospect. apparently, for anything
that in the slightest resembles a boom
or that presages imitation, but the busi-
ness structure seemingly is sound and
likely to continue so for some time
Auto Exports Grow.
One Of the startling surprises of the
season Is the splendid growth Of auto
mobile exports Many companies pre-
dict increases of from IS to 100 per cent
in export business, as compared
with 1926
Continued depression of prices in cot
ton is strengthening the strong cam
paign being waged for reduction In cot
ton acreage. This Is being helped By
SHOWS this month in Texas. Lack OF
moisture in 1927 caused many Texas
farmers to plow under their June wheat
and replant In cotton. The moisture,
however, has been sufficient to mature
the growing wheat and oats and there
will be little blowing under TO make
room for cotton
Some statisticians even 60 so far as
to say that O shortage OF cotton may
occur next Fall unless the weather is
very propitious. Cotton acreage has
been greatly increased and the outlook
for the crops Is growing brighter. OF
course. weather conditions viii deter
mine the position of the corn growers
and hog feeders, but at present their
outlook Is good.
The non ferrous metals are showing
comparatively little changes. although
the demand Is being stimulated by au-
tomobile and building activity.
Oil Output Dropping.
Oil production Is gradually falling OF
and slightly better sentiment prevails
throughout the industry, although the
majority Of companies still need higher
prices in order to profit adequately.
Wool continues strong. but 1t IS the
manufacturers Of rayon and cellulose
products that are In the forefront OF
the textile makers at the present time.
This Is seen abroad as well as in the
United States. as Is shown by the
furore created ON the London Stock
Exchange by the earnings Of Court
aulds Courtaulds controls the Vtsccse
Co OF America. and accounts for more
than so per cent Of the entire United
states production, and American CON-
~.aaiar ara L.. caneral making cNrre.