Evening star., 1928-04-06
MANY TRADE LINES
SHOW GOOD GAINS
Fail to Keep Pace With Stock
Market--Motor Industry
Is Most Active.
BY J. G. ROYLE.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch TO The Star.
NEW YORK, April 6.--Business and
industry are making decided progress
but they are not keeping pace with the
strides of the stock market.
The position of most OF the factors In
the industrial life of the country is no
longer accurately indicated by stock
market fluctuations. The more fehanle
harometers Of trade, however, snow taat
progress has been more than satisiac-
tory in many lines. Some industries
are still dragging, and undoubtedly Will
continue to do so for some little time.
Automobiles apparently have MADE
the greatest gain of any basic COM
modify in the last few weeks. Many
plants are going closer to capacity
operation than ever before. There is
more than O little talk of the posi-
bility Of some increases in prices Those
best informed as to the situation, how
ever. do not anticipate price advances
except perhaps in few models by one
or two manufacturers where present
prices are somewhat out OF line Win
the other vehicle types. BY far more
automobile manufacturers are oolng
well than are doing poorly. but II VIII
take the 0uIutIicE stump w ASSNAA-AA~
the real position OF each. .,
basis of production, responding promptly
and normally to the fluctuations OF de-
mand from the large consumers ana
with plant operations on basis OF eco
nomical production never before ap-
preached.
The building trades are prospering
and SO are building materials, Tor now
business men no longer argue about
whether the county win have $T,OOO,- :
0OO, 900 building year or not. In most
cases they take It for granted, and op-
erations at the present time justify this
stand.
The removal of the restriction on the
export of rubber from the Far East Is
expected, over the long term, to be OF
material benefit to the American rub
Der manufacturing industry, but tenn
porarily at least it has thrown some
manufacturers into a furry of uncer-
tainty as to prices of both crude and
finished products.
The electrical equipmnet trade has
picked up decidedly. and the power con-
sumption of the country curves as
whole are moving unmistakably up
ward. This has brought about renewed
demand for central station equipment.
Railroad equipment manufacturers
have been disappointed in the volume
Of purchases by the carriers this year
and good many of the roads seem
likely TO delay purchases until their
position becomes better outlined with
regard to mergers.
The mining companies are commence
ing to feel the improvement IN demand
for some of the non-ferrous metals
This Is especially true of the coppers,
since the red metal Is now at a price
level which Is yielding profits to even
the higher cost of producers. Lead and
zinc prices are still down, but the con-
suming demand seems to be picking up.
The coal industry is worse OF even
than during the early. months OF the
year. AS a result Of the failure Of
miners and operators to get together
In Illinois, only about is mines are work
ing in that State and Indiana. Thou
sands are out of work. but good many
OF the idle are being gradually absorbed
into other industries.
/ The petroleum situation is showing a
slight Improvement and there is no
question that the situation Is gradually
clearing up,
The Easter trade has proved of most
satisfactory proportions and the better
ment has been marked In the receipts
Of mail order houses as well as among
the retail distributors. .
The paint manufacturers are report
iny a splendid demand as a result OF
the opening of the outdoor painting
season and the usual big Spring clean
ups,