The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-05-05
IMPROVEMENT
I'm BUSINESS
IS WIDESPREAD
Country Now Experiencing
Squirt of Unexpected
Proportions
NATIONAL LEADERS
SHOWING OPTIMISM
Copyright, 1888, by U. p.

w hpIll.NN O4N, Way 10 WI -
The steady improvement in bust
ness conditions in recent weeks
has resulted in the unemployment
of thousands of workers daily in
the country's shops, mills and
stores, a survey by the United
Press revealed today.
Scattered business reports from
industrial centers indicate that
the country is experiencing Il
squirt of unexpected proportions.
which if continued, may shortly
raise activity to above the levels
of year ago. This would be
the first time since the start OF
the depression 1-2 years ago
that industrial activity exceeded
the corresponding period Of tho
rreceding year.
Leaders of American industry
here for the United States Cham
bers Of Comerce meeting and also
government officials who scan
closely trends of American bust
ness are unusually optimistic over
business conditions and believe
that the current expansion is OF
more tha nthe usual seasonal
spring proportions.
Pent up buying demand ac-
cumulated during the long de-
preston years was said to have
been loosened by such administra-
ton steps as proposed initiation
of money or credit determination
to balance the federal budget by
clipping a billion dollars off ex-
penses and the forthcoming
world economic conference where
world business is expected to be
set on a firm foundation.
Preliminary reports from Vari-
Gus "key' industries like auto
mobile, steel and retail trade in
dicate a real improvement i'll
many directions. Steel operations
in the country's mills this week
approached 80 per cent of capac-
ity, compared with the 10 per
cent low over the year end and q
40 per cent rate at which it IL
estimated the industry can OPP
crate at a profit. Operations are
the highest in more than a year
for the second successive week.
Heavy retail sales of automo-
biles, which has necessitated a
step up in production, had its inn
mediate influence on the steel in
dustry. Automobile output in
April was estimated at 100000
units, against 10000 in April, a
year ago, bringing output for the
first four months of this year to
above corresponding period of
last year.
Two other important baromet-
ers of business-car loadingS and
output of electrical energy-are
so close 20 last years level that
only a few more weeks may
elapse before they are exceeded.
Output of electrical energy in
the past week was only l.S per
cent unde ra year ago and show
ed gains over year ago in the
northeastern sections Of the Uni
ted States. Preliminary car load
ing statistics for last week indi-
cate that the loss from year
ago might be only a few per
cent compared with the recent
average loss.
Rising stock and commodity
prices, which have reached the
highest levels in many months,
are said 20 have had powerful
influence in bolstering business
sentiment throughout the country.
In addition to "discounting" in
flationary money threats, the
rise in prices of various goods is
believed to signify the confidence
on the part of many buyers that
values will not go lower.
Many economists point out that
steady rise in prices might in
dictate the end Of the depression
and the current upturn is being
closely watched for clue as to
the immediate prospects of busi-