Evening star., 1932-09-10
TRADE EXPANSION
NOW HELD firm"
Dun and Bradstreet's State
meHt Follow U. S. Report
Of Commodity Rises.

With the Labor Departments Bureau
Of Statistics confirming the rise il, COM
modify price indices compiled by private
business groups. assurance is nov given,
according to Dun and Bradstreet's state
ments today. that the expansion of the
trade movement now has attained
breadth to rest on a firm foundation.
Two days after the Commerce De-
partment compiled list of private
indiees for l12 articles showing a gain
OF 1.8 per cent in commodity prices
during the last week and bringing the
rise to per cent since May 2S, the
Labor Department today said It's index
for 784 commodities for the week had
increased one-half Of / per cent, caus-
ing it to regain its April level
In declaring that september has
been entered with feeling of greater
surety than has been in evidence at any
time in the last two years" the Sun
Weekly Review said reports frem widely
scattered sections of the country reflect
a steady improving condition in many
areas, with small towns and cities, in
ing the greatest facility in following the
The number of business failures for
August, as reported to Bradstreet'S s
Weekly reached the lowest point of the
year. Falling 81 per cent from 2,547
in July to 2.315 for the past month. this
reporting agency said the decline ex-
ceeded that normally expected at this
time Of the year.
Slaekening Of Failures.
Rising commodity markets, accord
ing to Bradstreet's, appear in a large
measure responsible for the slackening
Of failures. Although the stimulation
of trade activity" the review said. "is
not yet great enough to act as a check
en- business failures, rising prices are q
source Of encourasement to the busi-
ness man Of the country.
The spirit of optimism thus engen-
dered leads him to continue his busi-
ness with hope of increasing activity,
and in thi1 way has led to lessening
of failures"
Bradstreet's said that, superlcially,
August liabilities present an entirely
different picture. rising to $500 ABS 600,
over three and One-half times the la
bilities in July. However, 1t was pointed
out that this does not accurately repre-
sent actual conditions as the inclusion
of the New York City Interborough
Rapid Transit Co, which recently went
into receivership has increased the
total out of all proportions. Omitting
the liabilities Of this company, 1t was
said, total liabilities would have been
considerably lower than in July.
At the same time the National Lum-
Der Manufacturers Association reported
to5ay that orders received at lumber
mills continued their steady climb OF
the last four weeks exceeding pfedue-
tion by 81 per cent during week end
ing September ..
Reports From Manufacturers.
The associations statement was based
on reports received from regional manu-
facturers associations covering the
operations of 631 leading softwood and
hardwood mills, which received orders
amounting to 1872 ,51O 900 feet. Produc-
ton continued low at 1e9 ,404 900 feet,
according to the statement.
Softwood orders were 10 per cent
above those reported for the preceding
week, according to the association, and
"a per cent ebove the average of the
weeks of 1882 to date and only Q per
cent below orders of the corresponding
weeks Of 1881. Hardwood orders were
IL pei cent DetOW ldSI year.
Although some Strengthening of
order files should be seasonally expect
ed" the Association said, mot since
1929 has there been Until now an ap-
preciable upturn In late August or early
September.
This increase In lumber orders, it
was pointed out. has improved the po-
sition of lumber stock at the mills,
which on September 8 showed for soft
woods the equivalent of SO days aver
age production Of the reporting mills,
as compared with 81 days on August /
and lit days q year ago.
The Dun weekly review said the ideal
Fall weather sped the rebound in re-
tail trade this week. with the demand
for school outfits, school supplies and
stationery, dry goods, mems, women s
and children's wearing apparel and
shoes contributing the bulk Of the sales
total.
Sacrifice Sales Passed.
Noteworthy in the current demand. "
Dun added, SIS the marked tendency
on the part of the buying public to buy
better merchandise and the loss of in
terest in distress offerings. It appears
that the era of sacrifice sales of all
sorts. which operated to depress prices
in the last few years, either has passed
entirely or is about to end.
THE rising commodity prices have,
to some extent, stimulated the placing
of orders for future delivery. and some
retailers have become panicky to stock
their shelves at current favorable price
levels, with many beginning to cover ON
holiday goods where there was no inten-
ton to show such lines for several
weeks.
"Foodstuffs have maintained their
recent gains. with increases in move
ment reported for some items at
advanced price levels. After a quiet
Summer. carpets and floor coverings
again are beginning to move, and there
also is more inquiry fer furniture. There
has been an improvement in the foot
wear trade, and factories are expand
ing their operating schedules; the price
trend is upward, because Of recently
recorded advances in hides and leather.
Hardware Sales Gaining.
Hardware sales are OH the increase,
and more activity is expected before
the end OF the month in paints, particu-
larly in the industrial division.
News ernanating from the automobile
industry Is not so favorable as afltici-
pated although there has been some
betterment, particularly in the sales Of
high priced cars. 1t is believed that
there now Is large pent-up demand
for new cars, which awaits only a more
clarified business situation to release
it Higher tire prices are in prospect.
because of the combined advance of
crude rubber and cotton. Automobile
accessories and parts are in fair demand
and the consumption of lubricating oils
and gasoline continues heavy"