Evening star., 1933-04-23
Retail and Wholesale Lines
Report Continuation Of
Recent Advances,
INCREASE RUNS COUNTER
TO SEASONAL FACTORS
Pubic Buying Has Depleted Stocks
M Goods on Ierchants' Shelves.
Rural Business Gains.
BY JOHN A. CRONE.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, April 22.-Trade. hoth
retail and wholesale, improved this
week. contrary to the usual post-Easter
trend, as the wave of public purchasing
continued
Along with trade betterment and ex-
panSion of some lines of industry there
was burst of buying in commodities
and securities. The latter directly re-
nected the initiation proposals at Wash
ngton, talk of diluting the gold con-
tent OF the dollar, and the gold export
ban
The gold embargo caused the dollar
10 slump IN terms Of foreign currencies.
but to the extent that the dollars de-
cline enables American exporters to
compete on better basis against other
nations In world markets. it may prove
real benefit to commerce and trade.
'Price-Fixing" Awaited.
Meanwhile, business generally awaits
constructive legislative measures de-
signed to help large groups, ranging
from farmers to manufacturers, by
liking" Since many of these proposals
have not yet been interpreted clearly
by either the business or the financial
worlds, it Is impossible to forecast how
long the advance in commodities or
securities will continue Leaders are
pleased that, despite uncertainties, re-
tail and wholesale trade has progressed
and industry expanded.
Neither the unfavorable weather nor
the pre-Easter buying checked the pub
lie in its retail purchases of novelties,
accessories, glassware, curtains, house.
wares. jewelry, furniture. paints, wall
paper and garden materials.
With mail and telegraphic orders
reaching the highest point Of the year
last week" said Dun & Bradstreet, Inc,
in their weekly review today cit was ex-
pected that activity would drop per-
ceptibly in wholesale markets. Such
was not the case. however. as the
quantities of merchandise ordered by
mail this week showed less of q post
Easter reduction than normally"
The number of out-of town BUYERS
registered here exceeded that of a week
ago. This was rather natural in view
of the observance Of religious holidays
and the brisk retail trade necessitating
the presence of full store staffs at home.
Many of them reported sell-outs Of pre-
Easter merchandise. The result is that
they are now ready to push fresh mer-
chandise
Stores scheduling promotions of cut
price garments are not finding such
unlike a year ago, manufacturers did
not make goods for stocks this year. As
result, makers have clean shelves,
which means that firner price trends
are shown in many Of the womens ap-
parel lines.
Reports from statesmen on the road. -
according to Nation wide surveys Of
Dun g. Bradstreet, indicate that rural
sections were in better buying mood
than had been noticed at any time this
year. Advancing prices for farm produce
are helping the agricultural communi-
ties, and with rural banks reopening
after a prolonged moratorium. it is ex-
pected that the volume of buying by
rural and semi-rural merchants will
increase steadily during the next month
and a half In addition to groceries
and foodstuffs. orders for which ad-
vanced fully 2 per cent, it was good
week for ready-to wear clothing, milli-
merry and shoes, with most Of the
travellers orders specifying prompt
shipment"
In mems clothing the demand for
topcoats continued~ brisk. The cotton
trade is all excited about National Cot
ton week, for some 10000 reailers have
promised to participate in the program
scheduled for next month.
Gains Continue.
The automotive, steel, metal and
lumber industries continue to report
gains. In electrical goods manufactur-
ing the refrigeration branch seems to
be the only unit that really is busy.
Crude oil shows a further decline in
production, and gasoline inventories are
decreasing. The silk industry Is slightly
more active In the glass industry de-
mand comes chiefly from brewers and
automotive makers, with no signs yet
Of any improvement coming from the
construction trades.
Copyright, 1881