Evening star., 1931-12-08
BUSINESS UPTURN
IN 1892 FORECAST
Boston Economists See Re-
Versal of Present Trend
Next Year.
BY EDWARD C. STONE.

buelAeSS Ia 1894 has eLAIpEG4 01e OF
the first comes from the United Business
Service of Boston, which presents the
following interesting views:
Business volume--A reversal of the
downward trend CT business will take
place in 1882. Activity is expected to
increase more than normally in the
Spring. BY Fall sustained recovery will
be under way
Commodity prices - 1882 will be q
year Of stability in cmomodity prices as
a whole Raw materials will be higher.
Falling prices will probably continue in
many finished products, however.
Retail trade-Sales are expected to
increase as the year progresses, aided
by more installment purchasing and
better employment conditions. Agri-
cultural buying power should average
about per cent higher next year. Re-
tail prices are expected TO be lower in
1882.
Building-Total volume is expected
to be slightly higher than this year. 1t
will probably amount to $500 600 600,
compared with the 1881 total of s3,250,-
100000. Building c-sts will be lower
next year. Residential building will be
stimulated also by the Federal home
loan plan.
Automobiles-A slight rise is ex-
pected in 1882 Total output will prob
ably be In excess of 2,5o0,00o units,
which Is spproxima tely the total for
1881. Prices viii be lower and greater
percentage of cars viii be sold in the
low-price field.
Bonds--A highly selective and irregu-
lar bond market is in prospect for 1882.
High-grade, short-terrn bonds will con-
tmue steady. Government bonds viii
be under pressure. Foreign bonds viii
follow an errstic course.
Stooks--The industrial averages should
rise about 40 to so per cent from
the 1881 low point in the first half OF
next year. Prices will probably react In
the Summer and move up again In the
Fall. Stocks promise to be substan-
TALLY higher at the end OF 1882.
Two Firms Declare Dividends.
At the regular quarterly meeting of
the board OF directors of Emerson's
Bromo-Seltzer, Inc, the regular diyi-
extra dividend OF SO cents, making a
total OF 81, was declared payable on
the class A and class B common stock
of the corporation January TO stock
holders of record. December is. John
r. Brawner of Wasgsman, Brswner g.
Co. Inc. was elected q director OF the
corporation.
At a meeting of the board of direc-
tors of the Carpet Corporation the reg
ular quarterly dividend OF so cents per
share was declared payable on the stock
of the corporation January TO stock
holders of record December FL. g. F.
Cramer Of waggaman, Brawner g. Co.,
Inc, was recently elected to the board
of directors of this corporation.
The stock Of both these concerns Is
listed on the Washington Stock Ex-
change.
Bank Reviews Employment.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Rich
nond, in its monthly review Just pub
lished, says:
"There was no net increase in en-
ployment during the past month In the
fifth reserve district. few industrial
plants added workers, but, ON the other
hand, there was further seasonal de-
cline in outside work, and fewer short
time Jobs were offered to idle people.
Unemployment appears TO be most ex-
tensive among workers in building trades
and employees OF relatively small in
dustrial plants, and there is also large
surplus of clerical workers. In the fifth
district the tobacco and textile indus
tries are using their normal quotas Of
employees, and most Of the large en-
ployers of clerical help have retained
their forces, but smaller employers in
many instances have been unable TO
keep all employees. A few Instances Of
stagger work has been noted, and
wider use OF this plan is being consid-
cred by some corporations and political
jurisdictions. All authorities agree that
there Is little chance Of material i'm
provenent In employment conditions In
the next two or three months, and
localities are making extensive plans
for relief Of distress among idle workers"
Todzy's Trading on Exchange.
Business on the Washington Stock
Exchange was limited to two issues to-
day, one bond and one stock. Washing
ton Gas SIS figured in four 81 900 sales
At 1902, same as other recent sales
Mergenthsler Linotype witnessed sale
OF 50-share block. ex dividend, at
SoA, of u from the last previous
transaction
with Federal, State and local gov
srnment expenditures increasing at q
tremendous rate. the mounting burdens
OF taxation constitute q serious menace
TO the future prosperity of business, :"
says Henry H. Heimann, executive man.
ager of the National Association of
Credit Men, In his monthly review OF
business sent to the associations 25, 900
members. here and elsewhere.
Although prices are depressed, the
credit chief explains that 1T is well TO
bear in mind that while production is
at low ebb, consumption has not fallen
TO the same extent. When we consume
more than we produce the length of
time required for the resumption of
production is constantly shortened and
IT is favorable indication that the
wheels OF industry must soon again be-
gin TO turn TO satisfy consumptive
wants"
Heard in Financial District,
President Robert v. Fleming of the
Riggs National Bank and President
Corcoran Thorn Of the American Secu-
rity a. Trust Co. have accepted invita-
tons TO serve as vice chairmen Of the
Community Chest Campaign Committee
for 1882, Chairman Coliaday announces
The wholesale price index Of the Ma
tonal Fertilizer Association established
q new low for the week ended December
5 when 1t stood at s6. The figure re-
fleets a decline Of 8 fractional points
during the week and follows a decline
week
November sales of G. c. Murphy Co.
totaled almost exactly the same as in
the like month a year ago, being off
.o8 per cent. Sales for the first IL
months Of 1881 are 1873 per cent ahead
OF the similar period year ago.
The announcement that the Araeri-
can Telephone & Telegraph Co. Is ex-
pected 10 earn $3.50 a SHIRE on COM
mon this year, as announced In The
star yesterday, eroused wide satisfsc-
tion among the stockholders in Wash
ington.
Richmond reports that November
bank clearings amounted to $685.
100000 against sl93, ,637 900 in Novem-
Der, 1880. For the IL months ended
November 80 clearings amounted to
1905 ,0s7 900 against s2,oe3, oil 900 in
the like 1890 period
49,