Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-10
RETAIL LINES SHOW
GAIN DURING WEEK
Trade Reviews Note Squirt in
Construction Work Also.
CIearings Increase.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

NEW YORK, May 10.-Some encour-
aging signs in general business are re-
ported by the trade reviews of the week,
issued yesterday. r. G. Dun g. Co. state
that it is possible to discern evidence OF
more wholesome conditions, while BRAD
streets says that, although the SITUATION
looks irregular, a closer examination re-
veals an ebb and flow within the varl-
Gus lines which deserves mention ana
which perhaps contains the germs OF
future improvement.
BradStreet'S review continues in part:
For one thing, retail trade in season.
able goods, especially light wearing APP
parel, has been helped by continued
high temperatures, while the combina-
ton of hot, forcing weather, and, except
in few instances, notably parts of the
South, New England and the Middle
Atlantic States, fairly abundant rainfall
has given an exceptionally good start to
what Spring-soWn crops have been al
ready planted.
Except, perhaps, for some benefit in
the way of repeat orders for Spring and
Summer wear from wholesalers and job
bers or manufacturers, the reports as to
primary distribution are rather less ia
vorable. In industry more stress is laid
this week upon the differences between
outdoor activities, ordinary building ex-
CtpJSu, anu 1dCUOTy INDUSTRY.
Lake and water course trade has ex-
banded further with the resumption of
Northern navigation and increased en-
ployment is noted on roads, public build
ing and similar heavy construction,
whereas in factory operations a slight
slowing down of the iron and steel, shoe,
furniture and in most textile manufac-
turing, is noted. Curtailment in cotton
goods at the South was agreed on this
In xryifI ton
of the Cotton Textile Institute.
Increase in Building Permits.
"Bradstreets report on permits for
building during April at 1876 cities
shows a gain over March and every
preceding month since October, while
continuing to show decreases from the
like month year ago. The total
estimated expenditure at 1875 cities for
April was $166, 100, a gain of lib
per cent over March, but a decrease of
63.8 per cent from April a year ago.
The decrease at New York City from
April year ago, which was the peak
month in many years, was 84.7 per cent,
whereas the gain over March, this year
was 81 per cent. Outside of New York
City the expenditure permitted for was
1874 per cent over March, but 1868 per
cent below April last year.
SUIlIIdIy u eApeCLdGlOIlS, CONTINUITY
prices which seemed inclined to rally
somewhat in late March weakened
again in April and reached further low
levels. The May index number COM
piled by Bradstreet's showed decline
of % per cent from April l and also
marks a decline of 1919 per cent from
May /, 1929, while only per cent above
the postwar low of June /, 1921.
Compared with the peak of all time
touched on February /, 1920, the de-
crease is ATS per cent"
Fluctuations in Trade Volume.
Dun's review says, in part:
1.-THE immediate situation is one in
which retarding forces are present in
more than ordinary degree, hindering
the movement toward recovery and de-
laying the broad advance which it is
confidently believed will ultimately de-
velop. Fluctuations in volume of trade,
occurring more frequently than usual in
some lines, reflect the sensitive condi-
tions prevailing, and there is consider
able geographical variation in trends.
THE main acceleration of activity
this week was in the retail field where
exceptionally high temperatures for the
season, especially in the East impaired
a decided impetus to distribution of
Summer merchandise. With the sud-
denly stimulated demands, the fact was
disclosed that available stocks of goods
were insufficient in certain instances,
adequate provision not having been
made for the unexpected rush of buying
in some quarters.
THE different statistical barometers
by which the rise or fall of business is
gagged point downward, with few ex-
ceptions, in comparison with the same
indices a year ago, yet some distinct
gains are observed in contrast with the
low levels touched after last Autumn's
speculative disorders. One of the prom
inent indicators which have been moving
upward is the record of bank clearings,
with tendency in the direction of bet
terment at some interior cities where
the returns are not distorted by stock
market operations"