Evening star., 1932-10-13
14O CITIES TRADE
GAINS ACCOMPANY
WHOLESALE DROP
Chaplin Explains Commerce
Check-up, Whose Results
Are "Significant."
FIGURES, HE SAYS,
TALK FOR THEMSELVES
Organizations Giving Data Repre-
sent Chicago, Los Angeles and
Other "Scattered' Centers.

While trade associations in 140 widely
scattered cities were reporting to the
Commerce Department that indications
in their respective communities leaned
toward an improvement in business
since August, the Labor Department
said today its indices for wholesale COM
modify prices dropped for the week
ended October II to IT per cent above
the June low point.
The Labor Departments statement
was made public after Secretary of
Commerce Chaplin informed newspaper
men late yesterday Of his department. S
survey in 200 cities to get picture
from the outside" as to the present
opinion on the state of business. He
denied emphatically any political mo-
tive back of the check-up, and termed
the results Significant"
Asked for an opinion as to whether a
change in the Federal administration
at this time was likely to reverse or af-
feet the business trend in any way, the
Secretary said:
You have probably noticed that I
have been cautious not to let anything
political creep into my remarks on this
survey. Organizations from which re-
plies have been received represent, in
my Judgment, an excellent cross-section
of the whole United States Their re-
plies should speak for themselves"
Seated at a table piled with letters
and kilograms received from Chambers
of Commerce and trade associations,
Chaplin added, lit is not my desire to
fool any one"
Current Business Activity.
He said Of the 1879 statements re-
celved l40 indicated current business
activity was now better than during the
Summer, A reported no change, a
downgrade and were too indefinite to
classify.
Among the organizations rejecting
the opinion that definite improvement
had taken place were the Chicago As
sociation of Commerce, the Los Angeles
Chamber of Commerce, Associated In
ouStries of Massachusetts, the Silk As
sociation Of America Motor and Equip
ment Manufacturers Association. New
York Board of Trade. the Cotton Textile
Institute and the Illinois Manufacturers
Association
Statements also were received from
Chambers of Commerce in San
Francisco, Philadelphia, Dallas, Omaha,
Seattle, Cleveland, Louisville, Detroit,
Pittsburgh, New York, Trenton, Atlanta,
Charlotte, Norfolk and those in New
England States.
In order to supplement official facts
and figures issued by the Government
departments and thus aid in meeting
the extraordinary demand for current
business information" Chaplin explained,
Il have received. through the depart
ment's facilities, in line with its usual
practice, certain useful trade data from
nearly 200 representative chambers of
commerce. trade associations and
similar groups.
Smaller Cities Improve.
"a bread analysis of the facts and
opinions thus furnished indicates that
some degree of improvement in business
has been felt throughout various sec
tions of the country. and has been
noticeable in the smaller cities as well
as in the large industrial centers.
I'm view of the important change OF
public psychology. which became evil
dent last Summer, it is interesting to
note from the information received
how we'll this has been maintained.
Only four replies note change for the
worse in public psychology. while
II reported sentiment unimproved. On
the other hand, 1874 reports indicated
definitely better psychology, and the
balance of so made no direct statement
OF this latter number. however, 81 re-
ported that current business activity
was better"
The Cotton Textile Institute, through
its president, George A. Sloan, reported;
THE outstanding features of the cotton
textile industry, according to available
statistics which relate chiefly to fabric
for household, wearing apparel and the
lighter industrial uses, are unusually
large. The backlog Of untitled orders Is
the greatest for over two years, and the
decline in stocks to the lowest point In
five years. The current production IS
heavy and will doubtless continue so 1or
several months.
"The outlook is favorable if improve
ment continues in general business. as
the products of cotton mills provide the
raw materials for many lines OF indus
try"
James Brown. president of the Cham
her of Commerce of the State of New
York. reports: II am of the opinion that
business conditions are considerably i'm
proved over whatNthey were two or three
months ago.
Gains in excess Of seasonal are being
recorded by industries in Massachu-
setts. Out of 148 concerns. 121 have
shown increased orders in September in
comparison with August and "a have re-
corded consecutive gains for the last
two months"
The Silk Association Of America said:
1.-The 1st of October finds the silk in
dustry in a comparatively healthy posi-
tion compared with conditions OF May
of this year."
The Labor Department reported that
last weeks decline in wholesale prices
amounted to eight-tenths of per cent.
1t was pointed out that the prices are
now IL per cent above the low point
reached on June 18. At one time. in
the week of September 10, the indices
reached a height more than 81 per cent
above the bottom figure.
After September 10 prices dropped of
and held steady for three weeks. only to
plunge downward again last week for the
greatest decline since they began to
show a stronger tone late in June