Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-22
BUSINESS UPTURN
GATHERS STRENGTH
Trade Reviews Report Con-
tinuation of Advance
Despite SetbaCkS.
Special Dispatch to The star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, February 22-Although
there are further evidences of better
ment in business, attributed partly to
the return of warm weather through
out the country and the consequent re-
lease of goods previously ordered for
the coming open season, the trends
still remains varied, according to the
weekly commercial reviews. A wide
spread and decisive recovery from a
major recession has yet to be wit
messed, 1t is stated. Renewed weakness
in the prices of raw materials, par
ticularly wheat and cotton, is listed as
an unfavorable factor.
r. G. Dun 81 Co.'s weekly review of
business says in part:
Complete uniformity of movement is
scarcely to be expected on any occa-
sion, but the irregularities, the sharply
contrasting tendencies of the present
period of readjustment are unusually
prominent. Those phases, however, are
not unnatural after a speculative con-
vulsion of great intensity, time neces-
sarily being required for the removal
of restraining forces and influences
making for hesitation. With a gradual
modification of the different obstacles
to progress, the way is being opened
for more general advance, and con-
f1dence in the longer future is universal.
Current barriers to more rapid
commercial recuperation include the
continued unsettlement in commodity
markets, with renewed depression in the
principal farm staples, and buyers are
disposed to press their advantage while
quotations are in an unstable position.
ls,-aft Nf ~
needs as they are disclosed is an al
most invariable result of uncertainty as
to prices, with numerous commitments
apparently being held in allegiance until
the outlook in this respect becomes
clearer.
Steel Prices Now Firmer.
1.-THE downward trend in iron and
steel appears to have been arrested.
The best showing continues to be made
by that industry. both in the matter of
frmer prices and revival of production,
and some additional gain has developed
in the textile trade, considered as a
whole Prospects for an extension of
the Improvement in business are in
creased as Spring draws nearer, while
retailing has been helped recently by
more favorable weather over a wide
area. Statistical indices still reveal
losses from the highly satisfactory rec
ords of a year ago, yet comparisons
with the low marks during last Deem
Der reflect distinct recovery in several
instances.
Following the trend of most other
statistical records, returns Of this coun-
try's merchandise exports in January
showed an extension of the decline that
began in November. Preliminary off,
cial data recently released placed last
months exports at $4,000, 900, or
about So, 500 900 below December's total
and $25.000,000 under the amount for
November, The January figures are, in
fact, the smallest reported since last
August and fell of ST. 100000 from
those of a year ago.
Contrasting with the decrease in
exports, last months imports increased,
although only slightly. Thus, the pre-
lininary estimate of 1912 000, 900 COM
pares with 5000, 100000 in December
and is with that exception, less than
the imports for all months since Feb
ruary, 1927. The contraction from the
aggregate for year ago was practi-
cally $57.oo0.0oo."
Situation Among Textiles.
Bradstreet's state of trade says, in
part:
I'm the textiles the successive breaks
In cotton to point nearly IS per cent
below year ago have tended to react
on sales of manufactured products, but
Spring cotton goods are selling better.
Wholesale trade notes a little more life
in several lines, but orders are almost
universally of the small though fire.
quent class. Cotton mill curtailment
Is stu in evidence at a number Of
centers.
Large sales of raw silk have fol-
lowed price concessions made to move
stocks. The bathing suit manufacture
industry Is, as heretofore, one OF the
conspicuously active lines.
I'm wooden goods the feature has
been a revision downward OF opening
prices of leading makers goods for Fall,
this having been made possible by the
lower trend of wool noted some time
ago. Rayon and silk mills are generally
active.
Break in Wheat Prices.
Governmental activity in the wheat
market creates an uneasy feeling. In
some respects it tends to check short
selling, which naturally would leave
the markets without support from that
class OF traders on breaks. Export buy
ing and clearanceS are disappointing
Wheat prices in Winnipeg had a seri-
Gus break early and at one time during
the week May wheat sold below the
same delivery in Chicago. Argentine
holders are competing with each other
in European markets, with Argentina
undertaking all countries. The Cana
dian pool, however, has sold consider
able high-grade wheat and has been
helped out by that government assist
ing the banks.
"A general view Of the situation still
reveals reduced movement in indus
try and trade as compared with a
year ago, but holds promise of resulting
in better reports from now on, in out
door operations at least, and infer
entially aiding the ultimate throwing off
of Winter dizziness in a number of