Evening star., 1935-10-27
Factory Activity Advances
as Motor Production
Expands Sharply.
COOLER WEATHER AIDS
SALES IN MANY AREAS
Most Localities With Slightly
Dull Trend Report Marked
Pickup Near Week End.
BY RAIDER WINGET.
Associated Press Financial Writer.


Industrial activity, favored by
sharply expanded automobile produc-
tion, last week moved steadily up
ward.
Retail trade proved to be irregular
in its volume because Of variable
weather conditions in widely sepa-
rated parts of the country.
Examination of the retail picture by
analysts showed color temperatures
aided the movement of consumer
goods in many sections while most
localities with a slightly dull trend
picked UP markedly in the latter part
of the week.
In entering the home stretch be-
fore the opening of the annual auto
mobile show next Saturday in New
York, motor makers stepped up as
sembly lines toward the high points
achieved in August before the shut
downs for model changes.
Although steel mills confined activ-
ity to a narrow range, demands for
automobile materials aided In boost
ing the operations rate by IA points
to 5l.8 per cent Of capacity.
Steel Furnaces Increase.
Betterment In steel was empha-
sized in the Cleveland area with
one company lighting a blast fur
mace and two others preparing for the
same operation this week. Employ
ment there also was up because CT
steel and automobile needs.
In the South and Northeast the ac-
tion Of cotton manufacturers in add
ing to production schedules was heart
ening, especially since the forward
movement has been under way with
out interruption for four weeks.
Both electric power production and
freight car loadings eased for the
week ended October 1s from the
previous seven days, but the lull was
not considered by any means a back
ward step since electric power output
measured in kilowatt hours is around
its all-time high and car loadines
have been above the 100000 line Icr
five out Of the last six weeks.
Carloadings Above 1884.
Carloadings were 14.4 per cent
ahead Of the same week Of 1884 and
ll.6 per cent over the 1888 week.
For the first AZ weeks OF this year.
the total was 25,3l2.516 cars compared
with 25,272,584 in the same period OF
last year and 23,6O4,73s in the 1888
term.
Surveys of retail trade for the en-
tire country indicated the first half
OF October moved along at q rate
about IL per cent ahead of the same
period of 1884. and some expect the
entire month to show expansion of
about that same proportion, although
a let-down in some sections is antici-
pated.
That any slackening is only tenn
porary and due to weather was be-
lieved by observers to be proved by
the sustained volume of orders placed
by jobbers and wholesalers with
manufacturers in preparation for
further demand from their retail
customers.
In addition to the Cleveland en-
ployment gain, the Illinois Depart
ment Of Labor declared the Autumn
gain in work was the best in IL years.
Detailed Reports Given.
Reports of individual Federal Re-
serve districts follow:
BOSTON.-Hides and feathers con-
tinued to show strength with prices
tending upward. Cotton manufactur-
ing approached the profit zone, but
no price changes of note were made.
NEW YORK.-Cool weather caused
a rise in retail trade in the metro
politan area toward the week end. For
the entire month, retailing was ex-
pected to be even with or slightly
under October, 1884. Toy buying was
Is per cent ahead of last year.
PHILADELPHIA.-Early retail trade
gains were cut during the week ended
October 10 by mild slackening. De-
partment store sales in the first three
weeks of this month were Is per cent
ahead of the 1884 period.
CLEVELAND.-The steel industry
was given a substantial upward push
by a wider diversity of buying in
which automobile demand was the
principal factor. Retail tradesmen
said business was slightly dull early
in the week, but improved toward the
close.
Richmond Trend Stable.
RICHMOND.-Busin conditions
continued stable in the sixth district,
with no marked fluctuations in either
direction. Bank debts were on an
even keel in most areas.
ATLANTA.-While retail trade
marked time awaiting Winter weather,
industry and banking forged ahead.
One merchant noted a better class Of
merchandise moving.
CHICAGO-Industrial operations showed
little change; Meat packing volume i'm
prelude to the, opening next week Of Fall
ST: LoUIsiECooler more seasonable
slnSed in 0q srae youms 6oa Sioy@ent s8GHo Ssn
MiNNEAPoLis.wsporting supplies de-
mand expanded with the opening Of the
hunting season. season; Dry goods ana other
KANSAS cfTY.-increased trade and
industrial activity favorable weather and
larger Government expenditures we're cred
tied for improved business. Retail and
mail order houses made sharp gains.
DALLAS.-Demand of cotton for export
was said by steamship agents to be greater
scarcity Of vessels was found. The long
shoremen's strike hindered the export
movement.
dustrial expansion made steady progress,
spurred by broad improvement in profits.
San Francisco retail trade was slower. but
wholesale lines were lively.