Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-07
WEEKLY BUSINESS
TREND IS UNEVEN
Trade Reviews See Some
Signs of Betterment-Re-
tail Sales Gain.
Dispatch to The star.


NEW YORK, June Trade paper
summaries Of business this week contain
tinge of optimism. Real Summer
weather Is pointed out as a cause Of q
slight increase in the retail trade re-
ports and sympathetic cheerfulness in
wholesale and jobbing lines. Opposed
to this, however it Is pointed out that
the weather, which has helped outdoor
activity, has lessened the demand for
supplies from other lines of manufac-
ture. 1t is stated that close analysis
of the situation shows that the chief
advance continues to be In forces maxi
ing FOR eventual revival rather than in
actual present gain.
r. @. Dun g. Co.'s weekly review OF
business says. in part:
Nothing has occurred to alter the
conservative opinion that business
recovery would be at measured pace,
each weeks surface results being largely
of an indecisive character. Instances of
expansion are not absent, yet there are
counterbalancing movements in the
opposite direction and the general level
of activity reflects comparatively little
variation.
Seasonal factors now have both q
stimulating and a depressing effect, CIV
ing impetus to retail trade and to out
door work, but tending to restrain
operations in some manufacturing
branches Those phases are common
to this period of year, although the ex-
listing irregularities are accentuated by
the readjustments which are natural
concomitant of an era Of economic
transition.
Action to place production more
nearly in line with consumption Is pro-
ceeding in numerous industries, the in
ventory position is being gradually
strengthened. and the elimination of
weak points that have appeared Is con-
tributing toward a more solid founda-
ton for the future.
Ease in Money Rates.
Similarly, conspicuous ease in money
rates. while partly an outgrowth OF re-
stricted commercial needs, is expected
to aid in business recuperation, and
other constructive elements should ulti-
mately have a more decided influence.
THE course of commodity prices
which has been one of the unsettling
aspects, has not definitely improved
but certain markets are giving signs Of
a firmer undertone.
Aside from the stimulation of re-
tail trade through higher temperatures
in many localities, the general textile
situation is without essential new fea-
ture. The warmer weather of the week
gave distinct impetus to demands
for lightweight apparel, and in this
respect the situation reflects genuine
betterment On the other hand, there
has been no change from the cautious
attitude toward making forward COM
mitmentS, buyers still manifesting a
strong disinclinatoin to operate beyond
needs actually in sight. With that
policy of purchasing, and with sharp
ly defined tendency to prevent excess
sive production, 1t is not surprising
that mill schedules have been reduced
substantially"
Improvement in Collections.
Bradstreets says, in part:
Real Summer weather, with tenn
peratures in or above the nineties in
wide areas, is responsible for slight
pickup visible in retail trade reports
and an access of sympathetic cheer
fulness in wholesale and jobbing lines.
Collections reports, too, were a shade
more cheerful, and crops, although re-
porting rain needed, held nearly all of
their former promise.
Industrial reports for the week, on
the other hand, showed some evidences
of the quoting down noted in late
May, as, for instance, in iron and
steel, automobiles, lumber and cotton,
being carried over into June.
THE downward movement of COM
modify prices in May as shown in
Bradstreet's index number was APP
parently not checked"