Evening star., 1935-10-06
Both Retail and Wholesale
Markets Spurred by
Cool Weather.
MIXED TREND PREVAILS
ON INDUSTRIAL FRONT
Most Indicators Decidedly Higher
After Discounting Coil Lull
Caused by Strikes.
BY RAIDER WINGET.

business last week continued, affected
only slightly by the new staccato
tone Of African war drums.
Both retail and wholesale markets
were universally higher as a result
Of cool Fall weather and the intro
duction Of Winter merchandise.
On the industrial front a mixed
trend prevailed with aggregate activ-
ity distinctly higher after discount
ing the slump in soft coal production
resulting from strikes.
The echo of Italian conquest in
Ethiopia caused sharp repercussions
only in sensitive markets for grains
and securities. Wheat, export cop
per and some other raw staples ad-
vanced, while stocks and bonds
dipped momentarily.
Crop Marketing Helps.
The Department of Commerce in
its survey of conditions in 80 key
cities for the week ended Wednesday
stated: Stimulated by favorable
weather conditions and some in
creases in industrial activity, retail
trade generally throughout the coun-
try continued its forward movement
during the week . =.
"A number of cities indicated that
the marketing of crops had brought
about the release OF a considerable
volume Of funds for the purchase Of
commodities.
1T also was apparent that the how
of funds for Federal and State prof.
ects was helping trade in many
places"
The Associated Press index Of in
dustrial activity declined only OIL OF
per centage point last week despite
the drop Of nearly II per cent in
freight, car loadings for the week
ended September %, because Of the
bituminous coal miners strike.
Automobile manufacturers began to
swing into their 1886 model produc-
ton stride. One authority predicted
/ that production in 1886 would be 20
to IS per cent greater than the total
for this year.
That factor, plus the benefits Of the
general recovery movement, led to an
estimate by shippers regional boards
that the movement of freight in the
final three months of this year should
be Ga per cent higher than the COR
responding period Of 1884.
Steel Output Advances.
AS an indication of the basic rise
in the Nation industrial activity, steel
production gained again last week by
l.9 percentage points TO level sos
per cent of capacity, the highest since
February. Electric Power output was
up 3 of per cent, slowly closing the
gap between the current consumption
of power and the ali-time peak eStab-
lished in December of 1929.
A divergence between the speed Of
cotton textile manufacturing and buy
ing in the goods market developed
during the week.
Manufacturing declined appreciably.
but in the domestic goods market
there was an exceptional activity re-
ported. The heavy sales were said by
trade authorities to be more important
because Of the low stocks Of textiles
throughout the country, and demand
of textiles for industrial use was
marked.
Several sections of the country re-
ported an increase in employment,
in most cases a moderate rise due to
seasonal factors.
The Bell Telephone System gained
$4,000 stations during September. the
largest increase for that month in
more than 10 years with the excep-
ton of 1929 when 90, 1000 stations were
installed
Another straw in the business wind
was the opening of the world series in
Detroit with attendance described as
very good"
Detailed Reports Given.
Detailed reports on conditions last
week in Federal Reserve districts fol-
low:
BOSTON-Confiden was marked
in three outstanding Boston commodi-
ties. The woolen market was firm.
and those in the leather and cotton
textile trade we're encouraged by ris-
ing prices and expanded buying.
Higher raw and semi-manufactured
materials forced a boost in shoe quo.
tations.
NEW YORK.-Retail trade in New
York was up S to IL per cent over the
start of September as crisp Fall
weather encouraged buyers. In whole
sale markets, dry goods. women's ac-
cessories and home furnishings moved
briskly. New York and Brooklyn
stores increased September advertis-
ing 7.9 per cent over the 1884 month.
PHILADELPHIA proven for
ward movement of September busi-
ness continued in the first October
week with the Department Of Com
merce placing department store sales
Is per cent ahead of the previous
week. Wholesale and manufacturing
volume expanded.
CLEVELAND.-Re of some
loo, 900 workers to coal mines stimu-
lated business in mining sections.
Falling temperatures aided retail
clothing. Machine tool. builders as
serted business continued at high
level and industrial employment
gained about S per cent over a month
ago and slightly over the previous
week.
Richmond Gains Shown.
RICHMOND.-Stead general inn
provement in business continued.
Special sales and Fall buying pushed
retail trade forward Bank debts
we're 20 per cent greater than the
previous week, added bv quarterly
dividend payments.
ATLANTA.-Fall weather was a spur to
retail trade. with heavy sales Of new mer.
chandise recorded. and wholesale markets
followed the upturn. Bank clearings re-
mained about unchanged. Birminxham
steel production was I'D 22 points at 800
Der cent .- ,--.-,--