Evening star., 1932-12-25
Leading Industrial Centers
Report Irregular Trend In
Producing Lines.
MANUFACTURERS PLAN
FOR INVENTORY TAKING
Sales Of Coal, Steel Goods and Elec.
trical Fixtures Are Reported
in Good Volume.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

NEW YORK, December 24.-Reports
from the leading industrial centers re-
veal an irregular trend to current ac-
tiHty. Some gains have been registered
by producers Of holiday specialties,
while the recessions in other branches,
for the most part, are Of the usual year
end type. Practically all manufacturers
continue to operate under rated capac-
ity, and they are reducing stocks, in
order to facilitate inventory-taking and
plant overhauling, says Dun's Review.
The outstanding activity of the week
has centered around manufacturers of
automobiles who are stepping up pro-
duction and increasing pay rolls, in or
der to complete models in time for the
January shows. One manufacturer OF
low priced cars has made shipments In
the last IS days, which run 81 times
in excess Of those for the comparative
period Of last year. Other automobile
manufacturers are recalling workers q
month earlier than usual, so as to be IN
a position to stock all their dealers and
distributors with the new 1888 models.
Tens of thousands of workers are be-
ing recalled to the great automobile
factories in Detroit, Pontiac, Flint and
Lansing, and In the Detroit area alone
approximately 100000 now are en-
ployed in turning out the new cars.
Steel Operations.
General steel mill operation has eased
to less than IS per cent, and the rate
Of window and plate glass production
has receded slightly from last weeks
level. There has been an increase,
however in the demand for safety glass
for automobiles and this department
is expected to display considerable ac-
tivity during the next 80 days. Manu-
facturers of paints and varnishes con-
tinue to run on low schedules. although
here has been a fair movement OF
quick drying enamels and interior nm
ishes. While there has been some
Improvement IN the chemical industry,
this years earnings are expected to
compare unfavorably with the 1881 re-
turns.
The petroleum industry has Jared rea-
sonably well during the current year
largely because of the higher average
level of crude Gil and gasoline prices
and the control Of production. There
has been decided upswing IN the coal
business as result OF the colder
weather, sales for domestic use showing
80 per cent increase in tonnage.
although orders have been mostly in
small lot shipments Steam coal busi-
ness has not improved, and conse-
quently nut and slack piles are increas-
ing Prices, however, are holding frm.
There is evidence OF some improve
ment in hardware manufacturing.
Manufacturers OF garden tools and steel
goods have stepped up production and
employment schedules to the highest
point since early last Spring as conse-
quence of the gain in the volume OF
incoming business. Prospects that these
schedules may be maintained during
the next four months are favorable.
Chain manufacturers report that the
increased use of horses on farms has
resulted in the receipt Of good orders
for metal products needed in the manu-
facture of harness and saddlery.
Electrical Equipment Orders.
Volume Of orders placed with electri-
cal fixture manufacturers has oeen
heavier than during November and sea-
sonal influences have affected favorab.y
the movement Of general electrical sup
Manufacturers of portable electric tools.
on the other hand, still are curtanmg
production, and the machine tool trade
continues to drag.
It now appears certain that the textile
industry will not give much ground
during the Winter months, as cotton
mills are sold ahead In the most active
divisions OF print cloths, broadcloths
and colored goods. and some gains are
being made in Spring orders. In the
wool goods division several OF the large
concerns and many Of the small ones
have sufficient work in hand to insure
fair operating schedules all through
January. The sdlk industry is beginning
to increase its output in preparation for
Spring, while the rayon mills continue
to operate at capacity, with orders per-
hitting current schedules to be main
tanned to the end Of February. En-
ployment In the fine Gotten goods mills
has been larger during the last three
months than during any comparative
period IN two years.