Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-18
HOLIDAY BUSINESS
OUTLOOK IMPROVES
Retailers More Optimistic
Over Prospects for Good
Christmas Trade.
RY =. G. ROYLE.

Special Dispatch 70 The star.
NEW YORK, November 1s-Mer-
chants primarily interested in the
Christmas trade are feeling better as
& result of trend on the part Of
customers 20 have articles placed aside
for them to await possible changes in
the stock market situa ton. This is q
normal tendency noticeable usually at
Christmas time, the merchants say, and
they welcome its appearance, since It,
Is q policy far removed from cancella-
ton of orders. They indicate no slack
ening in the will or desire to buy even
the more expensive goods.
This, according to leading New York
jewelers., is plainly visible In their
trade. There Is no disposition. they
say. 10 pledge the family Jewels" to
keep the wolf from the door and any
one expecting to pick up diamonds or
other precious stones at bargain prices
will be woefully disappointed. Their
attitude is bolstered by replies from a.
QUESTIONABLE involving several thou
sand Jewellers in various sections of the
country. These replies show that
variation in orders, collections and car
cellattons are practically normal.
Business Near Normal.
Preparations for Christmas were
made on an unusually large scale this
year and in New York. where the effect
of stock market operations might be
expected to show prompt reaction, bust
ness varies only slightly from normal,
according to the jewelers.. Collections
all over the country are good and there
mas been no appreciable falling of in
prompt meeting of installment pay
ments due. In fact, these sustained
payments, instead of being a menace.
as was feared by many economists
when IT. first became prevalent in the
radio, automobile and >iewelry fields.
nave helped to stabilize conditions
There is no indication In any Of the
major lines Of an inability OF purchas-
eTs 10 keep up their payments or to
sacrifice goods already paid for.
1mportations of gems in the last IL
months have been heavy and prices both
mere and abroad have been strong. The
American demand has been such that
some of the largest manufacturing
Jewelers. are contemplating the estsb-
Isnment OF the cutting industry in this
country, provided rough stones are al
lowed to come in duty free as has been
proposed in the tentative drafts of the
tarlH Dill now under discussion In
Congress.
New Styles IN Stones.
Heretofore this industry has heen rom
tered IN Belgium and The Netherlands
WIN government-contro branch of
me industry in South Africa. This
.rend OF INDUSTRY has been emphasized
by the popularity of the fancy shaned
diamonds, rubies and emeraids. The
stones now are being cut in oblongs
trlangleS and pentagons, as well as the
round brilliants. These cuts have en-
aoled jewelers. to save in spread and
weight OF the cut stones, but the work
must be done with extraordinary accu-
racy IN order to avoid loss of brilliancy.
Woro from London indicates that the
trade there is anticipating no lack of
American buyers. This is Specially true
OF old English silver. which will be fea-
tured in the London auctions this
month and December. About 20. 900
ounces will come on the market there
| and the prices for work of the old Eng
llSh silver smiths are expected to bring
So to $40 an ounce, in comparison to
| 81 an ounce in 1919
| Manufacturers of silk and rayon
| goods see no indication of a falling Off
In their lines. They explain, however.
that silks and rayonS have virtually
; been lifted from the luxury class by the
advance in the standards of American
living. The WOODEN manufacturers, ike
wise. are not particularly anxious, and
WnLe Lne IurrlerS have had some can
cellations OF orders for the higher
priced furs there will be huge amount
of their products used for trimming.
Stores Optimistic.
Despite these facts, some of the uer-
chants questioned profess decided un-
RaSiness over the Christmas trade pros
poets. Some of them have considerable
concrete evidence on which to base this
q No htNf ttA
many merchants. like the man who en-
joyed poor health. get a good deal Of
thrill out Of viewing with alarm" eS-
pecially when the danger in the out
look Is somewhat nebulous.
The chain stores are optimistic over
prospects and so are the mail order
houses. The ma jority of them carry
lines which are not likely to be af-
fected, and If buyer power is dimin-
ished the cheap price appeal is what
they rely on