Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-15
Trends UNSETTLED
7. IN TRADE REPORTS
Dun's Review Of Business
Says Good Factors Offset
by UnfavorabIe Signs.

No well defined general commercial
trends are revealed in the trade reports
this week, according to r, @. Dun &
Co.'S review of business Various favor
esa~ signs were said to be Offset by
unfavorable factors.
Price unsettlements are again dis.
turbing influence In some of the leading
markets" the review explained, land
the outlook for the remainder Of the
quarter is not so clear as 1t appeared
to be only a few weeks back. Retail
sales of seasonable merchandise have
made a fair showing, but the volume
is below expectations, in view OF the at
tractive price concessions offered at the
special Midsummer clearance sales and
the assistance given by somewhat cooler
weather during NEST of the week. Some
wholesale dealers are buster, particularly
those specializing in accessories and
piece goods. Buyers Of high-priced
merchandise continue conservative In
their commitments. The broadening OF
Fall buying in dry goods was temporar-
lily checked by the first government cot
ton crop estimate and conditions re-
port for the season.
THE promised Weld is 100000 bales
above trade estimates and expectations,
and threatens to add greatly to an I'M
usually large carry-over from the last
crop year. Cloth prices weakened, and
the effect of the report on related tex
tile markets was quoting 10 time.
Definite sales improvement Is ref1ected
in millinery orders, with the heaviest
volume in two years reported by some
houses. The frequent duplication OF
orders is becoming particularly marked
In mems wear, the movement OF which
had been slow. A sharp gain In the
orders for furniture is reported in some
renters. and interest is stronger In rugs
and carpets. Industrial conditions,
while lacking anything that betrays
normal production, are not barren OF
encouraging phases. Leather consump-
ton during June was the hlghest LOT
any month since Januay. Shoe fac-
tories in some of the large centers are
,,ow doing more than at any time in
the last 10 wears. Some rather poor sta
tistics regarding activity in July nave
rome to light, notably that OF pig iron
and steel ingot production, which Tell
~ the levels of 1921. The output OF au-
tomobiles in July dropped below the
seasonal average, and freight car load
lngs continued reduced The resumption
of wool buying, so soon after a period
Of heavy purchases, has had a SUNNI
lating influence on that Market ana
continued pressure for delivery on pur-
chases tends to create confidence IN
values.
Commodity Prices Lower.
..Declines in commodity prices have
continued, but there may be some 1ndi-
cations Of betterment considering that
the advances this week constituted 90
per cent of the total alterations, con-
frasted with 40 per cent last week
There were SO declines this week, which
were less by one than those Of week
ago. and II advances. The position OF
wool remains extremely firm, and dairy
uroducts continue the strongest items
Of the foodstuffs group. The most pro-
nosnced weakness developed IN the
grain markets and in cotton. The in
stability of the latter was brought about
largely by the Government report, the
publication of which was followed by
active Liquidation that forced quotations
to a lower level The declines, however,
were fractional A further recession
was noted in silk quotations. Metals
were largely unchanged. except for q
downward revision in pig iron at Phila-
delphia, which was the first alteration
in that product in several weeks"
win Aid Unemployed.
The State of Maryland is planning
TO apply to unemployment relief the
$I0O 900 profit made since June on the
sale Of bonds at a premium, 1t was an
nounced following approval Of the plan
by Gov. Richie.
on a bond issue sold at a record high
bid TO the Union Trust Co. Of Baltimore
August IL, and on another issued IN
June, the State has obtained an excess
of 100000 over the face value Of the
liens
The June issue OF 81 900 900 was for
State bridge work, and the August issue
$500 900, viii be used for construction
work in various State departments.
Additions to the two building pro-
grams are planned, workers being paid
out Of the 100000 fund.
Projects Involved.
Since Thursdays issue OF $500 900
cannot be spent until after January /,
work during the late Winter is assured
on projects covered by the sum. These
include additions at the new peniten-
tiary in Roxbury, Washington County;
Spring Grove Hospital, FroStburg Nor
mai School, National Guard ArTnory
construction, additions at the Maryland
Training School for Colored Girls
ments Of Conservation and Forestry.
The States next bond issue, of ST.
1896 700, win be sold February is, 1892,
and the last, Of S3,o75, 700, on August
is. 1882.
Through the Winter months. when
paving activities cease, the State Roads
Commission VIII employ men for grad
ing and other cold-weather Jobs.
Work already under way by con-
tractors also is due to continue and
payment win be made out Of future is
sues The high bid OF August II on the
bonds was 107065 a 25-year record
That in June was I06 plus.
Personal Mention.
William D Hoover, president Of the
National Savings g. Trust Co. who is
enjoying vacation at North Pond
Club, Oakland, Me, is expected to re-
turn 70 the cfty the last Of lis month
r. E. Ghiselh, vice president Of Fed
eral-American National Bank g. Trust
Co. Fifteenth and III streets branch, Is
on vacation al Craig Healing Springs.
Va. H. J, Donoghue, assistant cashier
OF the same institution. Is on vacation.
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