Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-22
MERGERS EFFECT
BUSINESS SAVINGS
New Methods of Economy
Are Prevalent in Mod
ern Industry.
BY J. C. ROYLE.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
In the present business situation
there is absolutely no room for inef-
ficiency. This fact is being thoroughly
recognized by business men and by
workers alike. In consequence, opera
lions at industrial plants are being
conducted more economically and with
less waste motion and expense than ever
before.
This change is marked in the recent
mergers and consultations, under way
or proposed, such as the natural gas
mergers first outlined by these columns,
the steel mergers of the Middle West,
also predicted far in advance by the
writer. and the bank consultations,
which have been going on in all sec
tions of the country and which came
to a head with the merger Of the
Chase National Bank, the Equitable
Trust Co. and the Interstate Trust Co.
Foreign Competition.
These improvements and economies
have been found necessary to meet
competition in foreign markets, where
surplus products from the United States
are sold. They are also needed to main
tain individual positions in domestic
markets against home and foreign COM
petition. These trends have been re-
sponsible for the heavy sales of cleo
trical equipment and new machinery
and account in no small part for the
fact that Bethlehem Steel doubled its
profits last year 1t is worthy of note
that Bethlehem had rejuvenated and
electrified its plants In the year pre-
vious.
Steel operations, while they have
shown falling of In recent weeks, are
taking on more hopeful trend as adj
ditional specifications on oil contracts
are received. The automotive industry
is maintaining its steady output in
remarkable way and is absorbing a
larger portion Of the steel output and
using larger quantities Of raw and fin
iThed material than was anticipated two
months ago. Despite this fact, retail
dealers of one of the largest producers
report sales IN this country over 10000
units less than in the corresponding
period of last year.
Copper Situation.
Airplane production Is picking up, but
the improvement is largely in the pas
senger- carrying planes rather than IN
the sport models.
The effect of a sound statistical posi-
ton is clearly demonstrated In the
steadineSs of copper. The demand is
not excessive, but prices have been well
maintained despite that fact. Zinc, on
the other hand, with the poorest statis-
teal position in the non-ferrous group,
has fiuctuated over a considerable range.
The demand for apparel Is picking
I'D. This Is not extraordinary at this
season of the year. since the Easter de-
mand is a pretty stable one. The total
demand Is normal, but not that for
wooden fabrics and cotton textiles On
the other hand, silk and rayon goods
are extremely active. The shoe bust
ness is showing excellent proportions.
Mems apparel is moving at only fair
rate.
The shipbullding yards have been well
engaged and as additional mail con-
tracts are let this industry gives prom
Use of still further expansion. The
Winter resorts are now winding up
what has been a somewhat unsatisfac-
tory season as the volume Of the tour
list trade has not been up to usual.
Radio Industry.
The radio industry is showing re-
markable ability TO readjust itself after
its period of Wild overexpansion. Some
companies have fallen by the wayside,
but the larger producers, going into by
products and sidelines, have very well
stabilized their production methods.
The decision Of the Senate to leave
oil on the free list was regarded by
some in the petroleum industry as a
disaster and by others as a blessing, and
the statistical position of oil probably
will be little changed as result.
(Copyright, 1e301
Nearly rs per cent Of the woman
clerks of the British civil service give
up their positions to marry, the average