Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-14
Washington Ticker
BY the Associated Press.

By the ASSOCIATED Press.
Like the United States. Europe die
not experience the usual seasonal
Slackening Of business and industrial
activity during the past Summer, and
ShoWed,a notably favorable and upward
trend which Is forecast to continue dur
ing the Fall.
In the other continents Of the worlc
there are, both good and spotted con-
ditions Of business, some nations being
in q firm position, while others have
threatening factors in the form of some
major crop or industry. The industrial
conditions throughout the globe were
outlined today by experts Of the Bureau
of Foreign and Domestic Commerce OF
the Commerce Department.
According to reports to the depart
nIent, the tone of Europe'S business is
upward and there is favorable outlook
on that continent for the Fall. The
purchasing power OF Europe was
described in the reports as improved
with generally notably improved crops
higher real wages, q decrease In unem-
ployment, relief in many nations from
burdensome taxation and greater in
dustrial activity as compared to last
year.
The situation in South America. pre-.
SentS a varied picture, the Department.
advices declare. Two nations, Mexico
and Guatemala, are marking time while
their political situation is being clarified
the former republics industrial de-
velopment being slowed up until the
elections on November II and the
Inauguration Of its new President in
February. Argentina is in favorable
position with good crops and livestock
~ been enhanced further by the nego-
tiation with Great Britain of a
$200, 000, 900 loan.
In Brazil the coffee crop Is the pre-.
dominant factor. Upon the size OF thi:
years crop and the success Of tn,
valorization committee to maintain
prices, the Commerce Department re.
ports indicate, the economic prosperity
of this nation depends this year
depression IN at least eight Of the
Latin American countries-Brazil. Co.
1ombia, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Guate.
mala, Salvador, Nicaragua and Haiti
In Ecuador the coffee crop ranks Sec
ond to cocoa. Cuba is experiencing
somewhat greater optimism than In the
past several years over the prospect OF
ultimate sterilization of sugar prices
at q point Of reasonable profits. But
there is o cloud in the Cuban stu
ation-the American tariff and the
Cubans' fear that the higher United
States duties may encourage Philippine
production and curtail CubaS market
In Asia, China, India and Japan all
present a variety Of conditions which
later this Fall may turn into favor
able trend Of business. China is mark
ing time apparently, but indications of
improved conditions in important trade
centers, like Shanghai together with
plans OF the government to purchase
railroad and other supplies, lend a favor
able tone for the future. Japan has
an abnormally large rice crop. but BUSH
ness there feels the governments re-
trenchment, program and Is at a low
ebb awaiting developments. Floods,
cholera and mill strikes have COM
bined to bring unfavorable results to
midas industrial situation.
Americas neighbor, Canada is in a
very excellent position according to the
departments reports, with good wheat
crop conditions, active wholesale trade,
Increased mineral production and q
new record in iron and steel output. In
Africa, South Africa has an optimistic
outlook for agriculture and domestic
industries are booked to capacity, while
construction remains very active.
The brightness Of the European sit
American foreign trade. The European
crops, including the cereals, citrus
sugar beets, wheat and olives, have the
prospect OF good prices, while in France
a good wine year has resulted and
Italy has bumper wheat output.
Industrial activity in Europe, the de-
partment's reports say, has shown a
general increase. The new industries
chemicals, automobiles, rayon, electri-
and steel are well occupied. especially
in France and Belgium. Textiles have
improved their conditions, especially in
cotton manufacturing in Italy and
woolens in England. Frances coal
mines are increasing their production
instead Of diminishing it as last year
Generally speaking, the departments
reports said that the Summer slackness
waSmuch less noticeable than last year
The ir1terdepartmental committee in
It's decision advising Postmaster Gen.
eral Brown to reject all pending bids for
ocean mail contracts was clearly obli-
gated, in the opinion Of Government
officials cognizant of the situation, to
request Congress to clarity the intent of
the mail provision Of the 1928 merchant
marine act.
The question which confronted the in
terdepartmental committee was whether
Congress intended in the 1928 act to
give preference In the mail contracts Il
operators OF lines purchased from the
shipping Board or whether the usual
custom Of awards to the lowest re-
gponsible bidder would be followed. Ac-
cofding to the Government officials, the
intent of the provision is not clearly
pointed out. One Of the motivating in
dIienceS upon which the committed
decision was based was the decision oi
the Supreme Court in the Elk Hill:
naval oil reserve lease, In which the
highest tribunal ruled that Government
contracts or leases should only bt
awarded after competitive bidding.
The Bureau Of Navigation has re-
ported that on August /, American
eiIipyardss were. building or were under
contract to build for private ship own
ers 1873 steel vessels Of 141,5 $50 gros.
tons compared to i74 ships Of $50, 49,
tons on July !. OF the wooden vessels
az with q gross tonnage Of 1890 wert
being built ON August /, compared x
TIE same number Of ships, of 1896
gross tons, for the previous month.
The Eastern district led the othel
sections of the Nation IN net railwa!
operating income for the seven months
az this year, o report Of the Bureau o.
railway Economics, an organization
maintained by the carriers, said. GU
Of q total net operating income Of $685.,
BOe io2 for the country, the Eastern dis
,erlrt Recorded 1885 .647.SnA