Evening star., 1933-10-06
PURCHASING POWER
CONTINUES climb
Business Activity Barometers
Stop Falling for First Time
in Eight Weeks.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

NEW YORK, october 6-The
weather, labor troubles and monetary
uncertainty combined to slow produc-
ton and distribution in leading centers
Of the Nation this week. These factors
were partially offset by the increased
purchasing power being released through
employment, the reopening Of banks
and various types Of relief.
Launching Of the public works pro-
gram, which encountered many unex-
pected difficulties, Is having beneficial
effect on some of the heavier indus
tries which, statistics notwithstanding
have not progressed as fast as the con-
suming trades in recent months.
The slackening Of the decline in steel
operations. the rise in electrical output
to figures greater than those of 1882
and further curtailment Of petroleum
production were bright spots In an tn
dustrial picture made somewhat drat
by lessened automotive out-turn, the
stanstill of bituminous coal workings
and some falling OF in miscellaneous
lines. Business activity barometers
however, stopped falling for the first
time in eight weeks.
Retail Sales Spurred.
The buy now" campaign, In sec
tions where it has started. has lifted
retail sales as much as 80 per cent
above the corresponding period OF
year ago. The rapid rise in necessities
such as food and clothing, along with
reduced pay envelopes that came with
hnUeVer
leaves many workmen with increased
leisure and greater desires, but fewer
dollars to FIJI additional wants. Per-
haps a thorough investigation into re-
tail food profiteering may correct this
situation somewhat in some centers.
As long as the Nation does not know
whether the dollar will be devalued OF
not, whether imitation will come through
the credit or currency channels, and
what steps will be taken to assure some
measure of foreign trade, the average
business must drift. Millions OF dol
lars worth of purchases are being de-.
ferred. pending monetary change ano
many more millions have fed fright
ened from these shores.
"The most active lines this week.
states the National Weekly Business
Survey of Dun g. Bradstreet. Inc.
have been cotton. silk and wooler
goods, women's and misses ready-to'
wear and accessories. shoes, millinery
notions and foodstuffs. Mems clothing
moved In a constantly enlarged volume
with an increased call for topcoats
hats, silk robes, Manufactured ties anc
socks.
Children's Needs Filled.
Movement Of childrens clothing hal
been on the increase, and In the Doys
department knickers. sweaters and nose
were among the best selling items
Sales of millinery were larger than
week ago, and the same was true ol
hosiery, but jewelry has been less
sought, with the exception OF moderate
priced costume items and wrist watches
The sale of toiletries are making con-
slant headway, despite the curtallment
of spending in some departments, shop
pers evidently feeling that powdered
nose and touched up lips will do much
to detract attention from the altered
seams of last years general duty
costume"
Women's coats are moving quicker
and there has been no diminution II
the call for dresses, tunic frocks Of
crepe and Autumn silk, swagger sport
outfits and tailored suits. Demand for
heavy skirts, sweaters and knock-abou'
hats reveals increasing interest in out
door activities. Furniture demand re-
mains brisk. especially for bed room
suites in the more expensive woods
Electrical appliances, heating equip
ment, linoleum and rugs are In greater
demand. Nearness Of repeal has stimu.
lated glassware interest. Pianos are re-
ceiving more attention now and radio
buying is spreading to higher priced
sets
Wholesale orders are less and there
are fewer out-of-town buyers here
Strikes continue to create shortages Of
silks and dress materials. Hardware
groceries and drugs, however, are mov-
ing along at an accelerated rate. Orders
for plumbers and steam filters sup
plies are becoming more numerous
Demand for paper is less insistent thar
a month ago.
(Copyright. 1s33)