Evening star., 1933-03-26
Increase in Buyers at Whole
sale Market Is Noted
During Week.
DECLINE IN COMMERCIAL
FAILURES IS REPORTED
Improvement in Bank Clearings
Denotes Rising Activities in the
Domestic Retail Field.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star
NEW YORK, March 25.-A rise in
bank clearings, strength Of commodi-
ties, squirt in the arrival Of buyers
here, sharp decline In commercial
failures and expansion Of retail pur-
chases are cheerful aspects Of the cur
rent business picture.
These developments this week are In
sharp contrast with the feeling Of
anxiety and fear a few weeks ago. The
miraculous change" wrought by the
new administration and the courage
and wisdom shown by leaders In vari-
GUS walks Of life, however. have not
solved all pressing problems.
Buying Broadens.
Business and banking are gratifed
at the improvement in bank clearings,
but they would like to learn more de-
tails about the banks that have not
yet reopened. Manufacturers have pur-
chased raw commodities where they
felt their inventories were too low to
permit filling q furry Of orders, but
neither they, wholesalers. jobbers nor
retailers show any disposition to &C
cumulate stocks Of materials or mer-
chandise.
Buying hroadened as buyers focked
here in greater numbers than at any
time In the last two months. Pur-
chases, however, were mostly seasonal,
Easter merchandise being emphasized
This movement partly reflects delayed
trips because Of the banking holiday
Floods in the Ohio and Mississippi VAL
leys will necessitate the replenishment
OF many items, but the curtailment Of
purchasing power by the damages re-
sulting from these swollen waters will
exceed needed purchases.
Commercial failures during the week
were the smallest for any similar pc
riod since October, 1929, while collec-
tions, as a result of the banking holi-
day, were somewhat less than salts
factory. The pending farm legislation
was blamed for the lack Of sustained
strength in agricultural products, which
In turn affected securities.
Dollar Sales.
Some of the big department stores
and speciality shops" states Dun &
Bradstreet's weekly review, report dol
lar sales In the last two weeks about
even with the comparative record of q
wear ago. with greater volume recorded
in isolated instances. In contrast to
last week. the average price Of indi-
vidual purchases increased appreciably.
Most Of the retailers now have
launched Easter promotions on q
broad scale and are advertising heavily
to take advantage Of the sudden
reversal In consumer buying policy
which has resulted from the dispelling
CT fear by the masterful handling of
governmental affairs. In addition to
women's Spring suits, which have
started to move In better volume, sales
have been larger in neckwear. novelty
jewelry. lingerie, handbags and dress
accessories.
MEMS Spring suits, paints. wall.
paper. furniture and household goods,
including floor coverings, have been
slew to show an upward turn, but
dealers in groceries. provisions and kin
dred lines report the flow Of trade as
nearly normal"
Meanwhile. the wholealers in many
instances are enjoying the best buying
squirt since early in February, with
prospects Of being unable to fill some
Easter requirements because Of the con-
servativeness of producers. The cut
Of the widened demand for better
grades Of coats and suits. Similarly,
quality dresses and millinery are feel
Road statesmen for wash goods firms
sent in the best orders in more than
two months.
industrial Activity.
Wholesale grocers, hardware mer-
chants and druggists benefited from the
better tone Of primary markets. Indus
trial activity Is being resumed, but with
few exceptions that does not mean in
creased operations. The shoe strike has
slowed production in New England.
Textile output shows a tendency to
contract, especially in silks and rayons
window glass makers are adding work.
ers because of broader demand, but oil
and coal operations are at a low rate.
Just how much the return of beer will
help unemployment remains uncertain,
but hopes for more jobs from this trade
are mountainous high. .'..'
Copyright. 1933)