Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-27
MODERATE RETAIL
TRADE GAIN NOTED
Weekly Business Reviews Re.
port Seasonal Trends
in Various Lines.
Special Dispatch to The Star.


NEW YORK, December 27.-Busi-
ness was without any particularly note
worthy features in the last week, except
for the reduction Of the rediscount rate
by the New York Federal Reserve Bank,
which was regarded as q confidence
instilling step, according to the weekly
survey of retail trade, the only line
Of business stimulated by the holiday
demand indicated that some lines.
chiefly groceries and staples probably
equaled last years figures as to volume.
but were from 10 to 80 per cent of
as to value.
Dun's Review says, in part:
Allowing for seasonal influences,
the last full week of 1880 has brought
no change of outstanding Importance
in commercial trends, yet none was
without minimizing the obstacles and
unsatisfactory aspects which continue,
to draw encouragement from some Of
the existing portentS. Even with a
further drop in steel output indicated
for over the year end, the industry re-
fleets, in the more liberal provision for
forward needs, a hopeful sign.
Copper Buying Gains.
1.-THE increased buying of copper,
with better prices, also is a favorable
augury, while the reported small in
ventories in most textile lines are con-
sidered reassuring. Such phases are
supplemented by similar characters
tics in some other channels, and these
factors, although by no means off,
setting those of an opposing tenor,
strengthen the outlook. The time ele-
ment, of course, still enters largely
int lrf,I faV 6o
Of the business depression have been
far-reaching.
ANY appraisal of current conditions
in the steel industry should make allow
ance for the influence of seasonal forces.
With holidays and inventorying, the rate
of output not unnaturally has declined
further, and continuing reduction over
the year end would not be surprising
The trade, in fact, Is anticipating that
trend, but the expectation is that it
will be followed by a rise early In 1881.
That prospect Is supported by the re-
cent increase in specifications for Janu-
airy shipment, with larger inquiry and
demand coming from different sources.
Actual or contemplated purchases of
supplies for railroads bulk large, al
though not up to the volume of some
other years and some revival from the
sharp restriction of automobile manu-
facture seems assured. Meanwhile the
price situation has developed greater
steadiness, with the composite quotation
for both pig iron and steel, compiled by
the Iron Age, unchanged this week"
Fair Retail Volume.
Bradstreet's says, in part:
With popular interest converging al
most entirely on retail trade, that
branch of distribution, despite some in
terruptions due to the weather, snow or
rain principally. was of fair volume; that
is, equal to year ago in units perhaps,
but from 10 to 30 per cent below last
year in price value at various markets
Wholesale trade where present consisted
largely of quick-delivery fill-in orders,
these mainly in wearing apparel; mainly
underwear, such as hosiery and gloves.
radios and jewelry. 1t Is doubtful how
ever, aside from staples such as groceries
and fancy food products, whether trade
equaled that of year ago.
Among the leading industries iron
and steel noted slight shading of, to
30 or IS per cent, with some lines in
Ginning to make the quitting down even
more complete. Rail, sheet and tin plate
mills showed most activity, with re-
newed activity expected after January
l in pipe making.
I'm lumber features we're buying of
ties and car material for future work
by railroads Exceptional quiet is looked
for in actual production of lumber dur
ing the next week or more. In the
copper industry there was a slight stiff
fleming in prices by reflners, while mine
producers held prices unchanged.
Other Lines.
Machine tools and allied lines were
quiet. In the lighter industries quiet
ruled, with shoe, hosiery, furniture and
other textile lines noting seasonal quiet
ing, but with fair amount of optimism
expressed as to the new year.
I'm agricultural lines the feature was
the going into Winter quarters of the
newly seeded wheat crop, with a rather
higher than usual condition on an
acreage almost identical with a year
ago, despite predictions Of good sized
decrease"