Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-12
ADVANCE IN TRADE
CONDITIONS NOTED
Weekly Reviews Find More .
Encouraging Outlook in
Various Sections.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

NEW YORK, April 12.-Notwith-
standing the warmer weather and the
impetus given by the approach of Easter
TO distributive trade as well as main
tenance OF the slightly increased pace
set by the industry late in March and
early this month, the main improvement
in the business situation still seems to
rest rather in the factors making for
ultimate revival than in actual present
gains, according to the weekly reviews
Of trade and business
r. c. Dun g. Co.'S review of business
says in part:
After two weeks of April something
has been added to previous gains in
business, although the rate of progress
has been disappointing to many interests
and has caused modification of ear
lier expectations. In view of the violence
of last Autumn's speculative upheaval,
however. conservative opinion had Sug-
geSted that the pace of recovery would
be measured, with, many irregularities
and contrasts developing during the
transition
Sentiment Is stronger on the whole,
and the advancing season has not
failed to give some impetus to actiVi-
ties, but expansion still comes only
slowly and not in all quarters stimuli
taneously. A fiuctuating process of re-
coVery does not seem unnatural even
economic disturbance, yet necessary ad-
justments are being effected thai point
to subsequent betterment of a NOR de-
cisive character
The trend of buying plainl, shows
that caution is the rule, but the nearer
approach of Easter has quickened the
retail movement and merchants are
hopeful that the attractive values
available on various goods will even
tually stimulate larger response from
consumers. Data on unemployment, al
though differing considerably, are be-
coming less unsatisfactory as outdoor
work is extended. while the probable
influence of low money rates as con-
structiVe aid to commercial recupera-
ton is being stressed in many channels.
Statistical Position Better.
1T is significant of the more en-
ccuraging outlook now that there has
been a check to the extreme unsettle-
ment in commodity prices, more evil
dence of steadineSS in this respect hav-
ing appeared during the last fortnight,
and some buyers have shown an in
creased disposition to operate in in
stances where markets have become
more stabilized. Retrenchment in pro-
duction is gradually bringing about a
closer balance between supply and de-
mand, with consequent strengthening
Of the statistical position in some in
dustries, and such rise in output as has
occurred has been based strictly upon
tangible needs.
Nearly all of the barometers which
measure the rise or fall of trade con-
tinue to make adverse comparisons with
those of a year ago. but there has been
a narrowing of the losses which were
revealed last Winter. and the insolvency
record is now following the normal sea-
sonal tendency toward decline"
Bradstreet's State of Trade says, in
part:
Comparisons with year ago con-
tinue to reflect receSSions as hereto
fore, but more mention is made of
nearer approach to last years volume
at number OF markets than was Wis
ible some time ago.
With the advance of the growing
season at the South and of planting
time at the North and West increas-
deficiency of moisture in the Winter
wheat belt of the Southwest and in
the Spring wheat growing areas Of our
own Northwest and Canada. A fur
Their Stiffening of farm crop prices.
after early realizing. brings prices, par
ticularly of wheat. well up to the prices
ruling on March /. while cotton prices
are not lar D00W those TedCneQ on the
rally from early March and the margin
of declines in both from a year ago
has narrowed.
Retail Trade Up in Quarter.
Perhaps the most interesting fea.
lures of March results are the show
ings made by chain and department
store sales. March chain store sales,
so concerns reporting, show decrease
from 1929 of l9 per cent, as against
gains of 81 per cent in January and
of 73 per cent in February, but still
record a gain for the first quarter OF
81 per cent over last year.
Department store sales show a de-
crease of IL per cent for March, AS
against declines of 2 per cent in Feb
ruary and per cent in JANUARY, with
a decrease for the quarter of per
cent from a year ago. A great deal
Of this March and first-quarter decrease
may be attributed to the late date of
Easter.
with April returns available truer
picture of the course of this branch
of business may be had, with the prob
ability that the losses shown IN the
first quarter in department store sales
will be considerably reduced.
Iron and steel trade reports are
conflicting, in that, while prices OF
steel sheets and strips are easier and
scrap metal is weaker, the automobile
trade is reported taking more material
in answer to larger production OF low