Evening star., 1934-12-16

Baltimore. - Christmas shopping
and the arrival of real Winter
weather carried retail sales 10 to 80
per cent higher than a year ago. In.
ventories of wholesalers and jobbers
continued to shrink, placing heavier
demands on. manufacturers who were
increasing schedules. Industrial op-
erations holding recent gains de-
spite usual tapering-oh at this sea-
son. Industrial employment main
tanned; employment In distributivs
branches increased.
Chicaxo.-Sharp upturn in nearly
all trade branches. Retail dollar
turnover running 20 to 80 per cent
above last year; largest Christmas
sales since 1880 indicated. Early
SHOWS made wholesalers stocks in
adequate to meet demands for rub
Der footwear. Phenomenal gains be-
ing reported by manufacturers Of farm
equipment; most plants running al
materials, forcing brick companies
into production for the first time In
five years.
Cleveland.-Early Christmas buying
reaching highest level in five years
Shoppers calling for better grades oi
merchandise than last year. Novern-
Der department store sales 16 per cent
above 1888 figures. Heavy SHOWS
and cold weather cleared wholesalers
stocks Of rubber footwear. Gradual
improvement in industrial operations
particularly in automobile parts and
steel divisions. Ohio employment In
November gained over October for first
time in II years. Many labor dis.
putes still unsettled.
Detroit.-Gradual upturn in evi.
dence since mid-September acceler.
ated in all branches during week
Contributing factors included bank
pay-offs of nearly 100000, 900, in
creased employment and pay rolls in
industrial centers, and larger farm
income. Dollar volume of retail
sales up 16 to 20 per cent from COM
parable 1888 week Largest indus
trial gains being made by automobiles
and steel. Output for first quarter
Of 1885 estimated at 100000 to 900,-
600 cars and trucks.
Indianapolis.-Holid trade get.
ting well under way, with volume ol
sales rising rapidly. Broadness oi
Christmas buying thus far indicated
gain Of IS to 80 per cent for Decem-
Der over 1888 sales total. Retail sales
up 20 to IS per cent for week and Is
to 20 per cent above last years com.
=
to handle recorders for Winter mer.
chandise, due to sudden change tt
colder weather. Manufacturing oper.
ations increasing slowly but steadily.
Kansas City.-The slight recession
in trade during October and early
November was overcome and volume
in both the wholesale and retail
branches moved upward briskly. Colo
weather requirements taxed the ia.
cilities Of wholesalers in making rush
shipments. and in some lines stock.
were almost entirely exhausted. De.
spite the increased number Of fami.
lies on relief rolls, Christmas buyins
already running larger than a yeal
ago. Savings banks deposits largest
in years. Results Of modernizatior
drive not up to expectations.
Louisville-General trade Of bust.
ness continued to be favorable, bott
locally and in the surrounding terri.
tory. Christmas purchases 10 to Il
per cent larger than a year ago; to.
tai retail volume up is to 1s per cent
Wholesale volume Is to 20 per cent
better than in corresponding 1893:
week. with dry goods, notions, hard.
ware and electrical supplies and ap.
pliances leading. Higher prices fol
farm products, live stock and tobacco
Continued on Third Page.)