Evening star., 1935-03-31
Retailers Sell Merchandise
in Good Volume From
Coast to Coast.
LABOR STRIFE RESULTS
ARE WATCHED CLOSELY
Auto Output Climbs Further.
Seasonal Building Upturn
Stirs Trade Observers.
BY RAIDER WINGET,

Associated Press Financial Writer.
Old Joe Public dug down in his
pocket this last week to give retail
trade a substantial shove forward, but
basic industries at the same time
were badgered with conflicting de-
velopmentS.
Barring local impediments such as
rain and dust. retailers sold Spring
merchandise in good volume from
coast to coast, evidence that the late
Easter trade definitely is appearing.
Automobile production was esti-
mated last week by Grams at 103, 1856
units, against l00.065 units the pre-
vious week, continuation of the rise
started in December.
Analysts predict the high produc-
ton rate will continue longer this
year than in any year since prosperity
peaks, although curtailment is antici-
pated as the number of automobiles
manufactured equals potential public
demand. Consumer buying of cars
now is becoming the barometer of
auto business.
Carloadings for the week of March
% pushed up to 607,780, the second
weekly rise which was more than had
been expected at this time.
Coal Shipments Soar.
Commentators debated the extent
strike threats in allied lines have
had on both automobile production
and carloadings. Most agreed motor
makers are not boosting production to
have substantial stocks in the event
of a shutdown during strike, but
coal shipments have been unusually
heavy in recent days as workers
grumble over working conditions. In
any event, 1t has been pointed out,
coal mining will decrease with warmer
weather.
Electric power production dropped a
fraction, but it still Is at the best point
since 1880 on a seasonal basis. Steel
production, however, declined or of
percentage point to 461 per cent
OF capacity, continuation of the
downward move started in January.
Some have attributed the drop to les
sened demand from the automobile
centers and a delayed demand from
builders.
Textile makers were the third major
industry faced witt strike threats. A
proposal to curtail production by Is
per cent for a limitef period brought
protests from labor leaders Since the
year-end squirt, textiles have been
in the doldrums with the exception of
filling Of Spring orders, a demand
now ended for the most part.
Follows Usual Trend.
Statistics show the number and
extent of strikes usually increases
each year to a peak in mid-May, and
it has been pointed out by analysts
that strike talk this year is simply
following the usual trend experienced
over the past several years.
OF greatest hope for the near
future, in the opinion of many COM
mentators, is the seasonal increase
in building construction. For the
first half Of this month, residential
contract awards were 81 per cent
ahead Of February, and from MANY
sections Of the country there was
strong evidence Of a growing demand
for building and modernization ma
terialS.
Proposed devaluation by Is to 80 per
cent of the Belgian belga and sus-
pension of the gold standard by the
little nation was disconcerting to both
exporters and importers, some Of
whom viewed the situation as a pos
sible prelude to general abandonment
of the gold standard and the begin
ming of a new confusion in foreign
exchange.
A few exporters reported inquiries
for war materials, but the "feelers"
were not strong enough to be reflected
in prices.
Detailed Reports Given.
Detailed reports from individual
Federal Reserve districts for last week
follow:
BOSTON.-Wool markets were bet
ter than normal in the first district,
but cotton markets reported buyers
uninterested and production unsettled
by the outlook on the processing tax
situation.
NEW YORK-The Easter wholesale
trade started in the New York mar
ket, and recorders by mail from the
interior Of the country were strong,
buyer registrations were greater than
the previous week and a year ago.
National retailers said Easter business
was higher but no more than ex-
pected.
PHILADELPHIA.-Retail trade in
the third district was reported sub
stantially better in Easter lines, and
calls for home modernization and i'm
provement materials exceeded last
Spring. Industrial operations leveled
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