Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-13
WHOLESALE PRICES
IN F|RMER TREND
Weekly Trade Reviews Dis
cover More Definite Signs
of Upturn.

Special Dispatch TO Ths star.
NEW YORK, September 1S.-The
upturp in business has become more
clearly defined in the last week, ac-,.
cording to the business summaries Of
the statistical companies. 1t Is said !,
that, with the close Of the second week
in September, there are some tangible
instances Of gains, making impossible
to take more hopeful view of the
outlook. Moderate increases in distri-
button, both retail and wholesale, are
reported, with some centerS reporting
fair comparison with those Of year
ago, although the general volume Is
still less than It was then.
Dun'S Review says, in part:
with full allowance for the seasonal
character OF the change, and with rec
ignition of the negative phases which
still prevail the upturn in business Ia
more clearly defined. ANY other re-
suit now, even in . year Of sweeping
economic transition, would mark q dis
tinet departure from precedent, the cur
rent Trend being IN line with the usual
experience at this period.
After two weeks Of September Il a
possible to take q more hopeful view
OF the outlook, and this better feeling
Is supported both by expectations OF
Improvement to come and some tan.
gible instances Of present gains, The
latter vary In degrees and do not ex-,,
tend TO every branch Of enterprise,
yet the favorable indications are in
creasing and are beginning TO ap.
pear more plainly In certain Of the
statistical barometers
Reitsration Of the probability Of
gradual commercial recovery Is impor-
tarlt at this time, and conservative
opinion stresses the desirability OF q
slow revival based upon sounder con-
ditions, rather than q quick advance,
occurring before all necessary adjust
ments have been completed.
Conflicting Tendencies Seen. =
"EuTveys. of separate industries and
trades disclose many irregularities and
conflicting tendencies, but the main
movement toward the customary Au-
tun1n acceleration Of activity Is not OBJ
seured, As whole, demands in dis
tributing channels are broadening, and
this serves to strengthen the balance
between production and consumption
and points to steadier prices in primary
markets.. {.
zone significant fact of the situation
is the progress In the direction of
greater hrmness in wholesale quotations,
this status being revealed In Dun's
weekly list. Instead Of the wide ex-.
cess of fecessions, the latest tabulation
shows check to the decline, with some.
terment, It may still be too early to
conclude. that commodity prices have
touched bottom, although more signs of
sterilization have been noted In recent
weeks. Thus far, the uplift Ia business
has been moderate, but the change has,
been helpful to general sentiment.
Conflicting reports and statistics
industry, but this Is not considered un-
natural in q year Of faY-yeaehing read-
lustments. Beneath the surface irregu-
larities there IL q trend toward seasonal
uplift, and general sentiment Ia more.
hopeful"
RFadstreet's View.
Bradstreet's says, in part;
1.-THE trade report for this week as
for three preceding similar periods H.
that OF moderate increases In distribu-1
ton, both at wholesale and retail with
the former leading and the aggregate Of
small assumptions or increases IN forces
ing than in the depth Of depression Of
Midsummer. In sections favored there,
are some centers reporting increases iias
sales sufficient to make fair comparisons
with year ago, but the general volume.
Is naturally still below year ago.
There are cross currents IN both
trade and industry which render ac-
curate conclusions e. TO the future
rather difacult. Thus. taking the
iron and steel trade as an example
there is seen decrease in pig IRON
production with ease In some quota
lions, whereas a gain In steel output.
with increased hardening In seraps
metal prices is mated. On the other
hand, q slight gain In cotton goods
sales and production has gone with
q steadiness Of prices for staple cot
tons despite rather hsarish. crop re-
port. =.
another comparison to be had Is
that afforded by the relatively small
declines noted, Ia retail trade for
August, to IL per cent, as against
the much heavier declines In produce
ton reported In leading industries with
q sort of middle ground occupied by
ear-loadings and railway earnings.
"Neverthelsss the fact remains that
sonal has rallied from the depths and
furthermore comparisons with 1929
should tend TO haeome more cheerful
as the fourth quarter Of the year comes
within sight.
Lumber Orders Lag.
'In the lumber trade the orders book
ed seem to run close to the heavily re-,
duced output In the form of new pro-
duetioh. In cotton goods sales and
production Q slight gain in production
and takings seems buttFessed by larger
untitled orders and slightly smaller
stocks. In the shoe manufacturing
trade, chief activity seems centeted in
lew-pHieed women's footwear. ~
In the clothing trade and apparel
lines, generally, manufacturing Is ct e.
better pace than in August, but still be-
low o year ago. Low prices for cotton,
and tobacco are still reported q dYag,
upon Southern buying.
In the crop situation the UNPLEASANT
fact Is still visible that drought condl-
tions face o wide area despite scattered
rainfall and, according to the Agricui-
tural Department, nearly q third Of the
country's area in counties comes under
the head Of being drought affected, Z
THE indications seam to favor rally
in car loadings. The last week Of Au-
gust set up new high total for the
year to date and showed . smaller per-
centage of decline than for ave weeks