Evening star., 1935-02-06
SOUTHERN TRADE
BEST IN 4 YEARS
Atlanta Reserve Bank Also
Reports Building Above
1893 Mark.
Special Dispatch to The Star

Special Dispatch to The Star.
ATLANTA, February 6-The At
lanta Reserve Bank reports that In
December tie volume Of retail trade
in the Sixth Federal Reserve District
increased by more than the usual sea-
sonal amount and was at the highest
level for any month in four years.
Wholesale trade declined seasonally
from November, but continued greater
than a year ago. Building activity
declined. however, from November to
December. but for the year was greater
than In 1888 or 1882.
Department store sales, reflected in
figures reported confidentially by go
firms, increased GOT per cent from
November to December and were 1871
per cent greater than in December,
1888. For the year 1884, total sales by
these firms were 25.5 per cent greater
than in 1888, and were also greater
than in 1882, but were slightly less
than in 1881. Wholesale trade de-
clined 11.8 per cent from November
to December, but was AZ per cent
greater than year earlier, and for the
year was 23.4 per cent greater than
in 1888, 36.9 per cent greater than in
1882, and about the same as in 1881.
Bank debts to individual accounts in
creased l4.8 per cent over November
and were ISL per cent greater than
in December a year earlier.
Pickup in Industry.
Between December II and January
9 there were small increases in the
volume OF industrial advances and dis
counts, at the Federal Reserve Bank,
and total Reserve bank credit out
standing was lat millions greater than
a year earlier, due to larger holdings
OF United States securities Offset in
part by declines in discounts and hold
ings Of purchased paper. At weekly
reporting member banks loans declined
4.8 millions from December IL to jan
uary 9. Holdings of United States
securities increased 94 millions, but
other securities declined "a millions.
Loans were slightly less than a year
10
lions greater, and demand deposits,
although SO millions less on January
8 than four weeks earlier. were 42.4
millions greater than a year ago.
Building permits issued at 20 report
ing cities declined 18 per cent from
November to December, but were 40
per cent greater than a a year earlier.
and for the year we're 63 per cent
greater than in 1888, and pol per cent
greater than in 1882. Contract awards
In the district as whole declined SO 8
Der cent compared with November, and
were 1873 per cent less than the un-
usually large total for December. 1888.
but for the year were 8.9 per cent
greater than for 1888. 65 per cent
greater than for 1882 and Ill per cent
less than for 1881.
Cotton Consumption Of.
Cotton consumption in the three
States OF the district for which figures
are available declined 12.5 per cent
from November, but was 8.3 per cent
greater than in December, 1888. and
for the five months of the cotton sea-
son has been 16 per cent less than
In that part Of the season before.
Estimates by the United States De-
partment OF Agriculture indicate that
the value Of crops produced in the six
States OF this district increased 81 3
per cent In 1894 over 1888. and were
99.l per cent greater than in 1892. not
including rental or benefit payments.